China Adds Pakistani Astronaut to Shenzhou-24 Crew
A Pakistani astronaut will make a short orbital stay at China's space station in 2026, the first foreign national to visit it.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Space
The China Manned Space Agency said a Pakistani astronaut will join the Shenzhou-24 crew in 2026 for a short-term stay in orbit, returning to Earth aboard Shenzhou-23. The mission will be the first joint spaceflight involving Chinese and foreign astronauts in China's manned space programme.
Why it matters
The mission marks a new phase of China and Pakistan's space cooperation under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. It also signals China's growing role as a host for international crewed spaceflight.
The announcement is an official statement from the China Manned Space Agency, with two Pakistani candidates having trained at the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre in Beijing. The launch date and the identity of the selected astronaut remain unannounced.
The players
China Manned Space Agency
China's government agency responsible for the country's crewed spaceflight program, including the Shenzhou missions and the Tiangong space station.
Muhammad Zeeshan Ali
One of two Pakistani candidates training in China for the orbital mission.
Khurram Daud
The second Pakistani candidate training in China alongside Chinese counterparts for the orbital mission.
The details
The Pakistani astronaut will participate as a payload specialist and return aboard Shenzhou-23 after the short stay. Training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre included hands-on operational capabilities and intensive Chinese language instruction.
Timeline
February 2025: China and Pakistan signed the agreement for the mission.
Earlier in 2026: Two Pakistani candidates began training in China.
2026: Pakistani astronaut scheduled to join the Shenzhou-24 crew.
Big Picture
The mission forms part of China and Pakistan's broader cooperation in space exploration under the Belt and Road Initiative. It extends that framework from satellites and infrastructure into crewed spaceflight.
The mission demonstrates that China's space station is opening to foreign astronauts, which may affect future international access to orbital research. Readers interested in global space cooperation can track announcements on the launch date and selected crew.
The takeaway
The Pakistani mission shows that space access is expanding beyond the traditional spacefaring powers. Future crewed missions may increasingly include astronauts from partner nations.
Further reading
For additional context on crewed missions beyond Earth, explore our Space coverage.
