Pakistan to launch first astronaut into space from China on Nov 25: Ahsan Iqbal

Pakistan's first astronaut, Ahsan Iqbal, will embark on a space mission from a Chinese space center on November 25, according to Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal. The minister revealed this during the closing ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal, which took place in partnership with the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). Iqbal expressed optimism that the country's collaboration with China would propel it to "new heights in space exploration".

During his address, Iqbal emphasized the significance of space technology in various sectors, including agriculture, communications, climate monitoring, education, and national security. He underscored that scientific research and space exploration are vital for technological progress. Iqbal also acknowledged that Muslim scholars had once made substantial contributions to astronomy and scientific discovery, advocating for renewed efforts to restore Pakistan's prominence in knowledge and research.

Iqbal further disclosed that the selected astronaut will be one of two—pilots Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud—who were chosen by China in April this year and have been receiving rigorous training in Beijing. Although China has not disclosed which pilot will fly or the exact date, Amer Gilani, who manages human spaceflight cooperation at Suparco, revealed that a final decision on the astronaut's selection is anticipated between mid-to-late October.

According to another Suparco official quoted by Reuters, the chosen pilot will earn the title of "payload specialist" upon reaching space. This designation indicates that the astronaut's primary responsibility in orbit will be to execute Pakistan's scientific experiments, rather than piloting the spacecraft. The astronaut will be aboard a Chinese-built spacecraft, launched from a Chinese site, and trained by Chinese instructors. In orbit, all communication will take place in Mandarin.