Pakistan is moving closer to a historic space mission as two of its pilots train in China for a possible visit to the Tiangong space station. Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud are learning spacecraft systems, practising for the physical demands of launch and life in orbit, and studying Mandarin as they prepare for the mission.
Only one of the two will be selected. According to a Pakistani space agency official cited by Reuters, the final decision is expected in mid-to-late October. China has yet to announce which pilot will fly or confirm a launch date. The selected pilot is expected to spend about a week aboard Tiangong and would become the first foreign astronaut to visit the Chinese station.
The mission would also mark Pakistan’s first human journey into space. It follows years of space cooperation between Pakistan and China, including satellite projects. For Pakistan, the flight could bring new experience in astronaut training and space research, while drawing public attention to the country’s scientific ambitions.
For now, the milestone remains ahead: neither pilot has been chosen, and the journey has not taken place. But today’s account of their training offers a clear view of how close Pakistan may be to sending one of its citizens into orbit.
