Pakistan First Astronaut 2026: Who Will Go to China’s Tiangong Space Station?
Pakistan is getting closer to a historic milestone in space exploration as two Pakistani pilots continue intensive astronaut training in China for a possible mission to the Tiangong space station.
The two candidates are Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, who have spent months training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing.
One of them is expected to be selected for the mission, which would make the selected Pakistani the country’s first person to travel into space. Current reporting says the final selection is expected around mid-to-late October 2026.
Who Are Pakistan’s First Astronaut Candidates?
Pakistan currently has two candidates preparing for the planned China space mission.
They are:
Zeeshan Ali
Khurram Daud
Both are Pakistani pilots and have been undergoing specialised training in China.
Their preparation includes learning Mandarin, studying spacecraft systems, centrifuge training and practising activities required in a microgravity environment.
China has not yet announced which of the two candidates will ultimately fly.
Who Is Khurram Daud?
Khurram Daud is a Pakistani pilot and one of the two candidates preparing for Pakistan’s potential first human spaceflight mission.
He is currently undergoing astronaut training in China alongside Zeeshan Ali.
His name has attracted significant attention after current reports revealed more details about the training and the upcoming selection process.
Who Is Zeeshan Ali?
Zeeshan Ali is the second Pakistani pilot undergoing training for the planned Tiangong space station mission.
Like Khurram Daud, he has been preparing in China for the demanding requirements of human spaceflight.
The final decision about which candidate will travel to the Tiangong space station has not yet been announced.
Where Will Pakistan’s First Astronaut Go?
The planned destination is China’s Tiangong space station.
Tiangong is China’s permanently crewed space station and has been used for scientific research and spaceflight missions.
If the Pakistani mission goes ahead, the selected astronaut would participate as a payload specialist rather than serving as the spacecraft's main pilot. The astronaut is expected to conduct scientific activities during the mission.
When Will Pakistan Select Its First Astronaut?
According to current information from Pakistan’s space agency officials cited by Reuters, the final selection is expected around mid-to-late October 2026.
Until that decision is officially announced, both Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud remain candidates.
China has not yet publicly confirmed which pilot will fly or announced a final launch date.
How Long Could the Mission Last?
Current reporting indicates that the selected Pakistani astronaut is expected to spend approximately one week aboard Tiangong.
During the mission, the astronaut would carry out scientific experiments and activities connected with Pakistan’s space programme.
The mission would therefore not only represent a historic first for Pakistan but could also provide an opportunity for Pakistani scientific research to be conducted in orbit.
Pakistan and China Space Cooperation
The planned astronaut mission is part of a wider space partnership between Pakistan and China.
The two countries have already cooperated on satellites and other space-related projects.
Pakistan's space agency SUPARCO has also worked with China on satellite and navigation-related programmes.
The human spaceflight project was conceived by Pakistan and China in 2019, according to officials involved in the programme.
Why Is Pakistan’s First Astronaut Mission Important?
If the mission proceeds, it would mark Pakistan’s first human spaceflight.
It could also increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics among Pakistani students and young people.
The mission may provide Pakistan with greater experience in human spaceflight research and international space cooperation.
It would also make the selected pilot a historic figure in Pakistan’s space exploration story.
Pakistan First Astronaut 2026 Latest Update
As of September 28, 2026, Pakistan has not yet officially announced which of the two candidates will travel to space.
Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud are continuing their training in China while the final selection approaches.
The latest reports indicate that the decision is expected around mid-to-late October.
Until the official announcement, claims that either candidate has already been selected should be treated cautiously.
Who Will Be Pakistan’s First Astronaut?
The answer is not officially known yet.
The two candidates currently preparing for the mission are Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud.
One of them is expected to be selected for the planned Tiangong mission.
The final decision will determine who becomes Pakistan’s first astronaut to travel into space.
Conclusion
Pakistan is moving closer to a major milestone in its space programme.
With Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud undergoing astronaut training in China, preparations are underway for a possible Pakistani mission to the Tiangong space station.
The final astronaut selection is expected in October 2026. Until then, both candidates remain in consideration.
For the latest Pakistan first astronaut 2026 news, readers should follow official announcements from Pakistan’s space authorities and China’s space programme.
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