BEIJING: A Pakistani astronaut will join in an upcoming mission to China’s Tiangong space station, marking a significant milestone in the growing space collaboration between the two countries.
Addressing a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China, China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) spokesperson Lin Xiqiang has said that the selection process for Pakistani astronauts is currently underway.
“The selection will follow the same rigorous process as that of Chinese astronauts, comprising three stages — preliminary, secondary, and final,” he said.
“One Pakistani astronaut will take part in a joint spaceflight mission as a payload specialist,” Lin added, noting that aside from routine crew responsibilities, the astronaut will also conduct scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan.
He said the initial selection will take place in Pakistan, followed by a re-selection and final selection process in China.
After completing their training, one Pakistani astronaut will join Chinese astronauts aboard the Chinese Space Station as a payload specialist.
The mission of the Pakistani astronaut demonstrates close space ties between Beijing and Islamabad. Last year, Pakistan sent a satellite to the Moon using China’s lunar explorer.
The Spokesperson, Lin Xiqiang, said that in addition to performing daily crew duties, the astronaut will also be responsible for conducting scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan.
This is the first time the Chinese government has selected and trained astronauts from a foreign country.
In February of this year, the China Manned Space Programme Office and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission signed a related agreement in Islamabad.
Tiangong is one of only two space stations currently in operation, alongside the International Space Station, which was launched in 1998.
Meanwhile, China on Thursday sent three astronauts to its Tiangong space station. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, carrying its crew, launched aboard a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 5:17 p.m. (0917 GMT), according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The main purpose of the mission is to complete the in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-19 crew, which is scheduled to return to earth on April 29, China Manned Space Agency officials said at a press conference.
While in space, the astronauts will carry out scientific and applied experiments, install a space debris protection system, deploy external payloads and equipment, and undertake recovery operations, according to the agency.
