SUPARCO has achieved a significant milestone in Pakistan’s human spaceflight program, successfully completing the second phase of astronaut selection.
Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has achieved a significant milestone, as it has successfully completed the secondary phase of the astronauts’ selection programme.
Two candidates were shortlisted after an initial screening that took place in Pakistan. The candidates were shortlisted under comprehensive psychological, medical and aptitude assessments.
The assessments were conducted at the Astronauts Centre of China (ACC). It was in accordance with the international human spaceflight standards.
The short-listed candidates for the human spaceflight program of Pakistan will go through six-months of advance training for astronauts at the Astronaut Centre of China (ACC).
Upon a successful completion, one candidate will be selected to fly in a spaceflight mission aboard the Chinese Space Station (CSS) which would be scheduled for October or November this year.
This collaboration is part of the bilateral “Astronaut Cooperation Agreement,” which was signed in February last year.
The deal was made possible owing to the vision and support of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with his leadership playing a key role in securing Pakistan’s participation in this historic agreement.
The program also underlines the solid support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China who has chosen Pakistan as the first foreign partner in its astronaut program.
This partnership is a very important milestone in the field of space exploration in Pakistan and showcases the increasing information and collaboration between the two countries regarding science, technology development and human space exploration.
Read more: SUPARCO: Pakistan to send first astronaut to the Chinese space station in 2026
