China to Welcome First Foreign Astronaut Aboard Tiangong Space Station
China’s space station is set to host its first foreign astronaut in the coming years, according to state news agency Xinhua. The milestone follows an agreement signed between China and Pakistan on Friday to collaborate on astronaut selection and training.
China and Pakistan Strengthen Space Cooperation
The agreement marks a significant step in China’s growing space diplomacy. Pakistan, a long-time ally of China, has been working to enhance its space capabilities by engaging in Chinese-led initiatives. The new cooperation will see Pakistan select astronauts for training in China, preparing them for short-term missions aboard the Tiangong space station.
This development follows Pakistan’s participation in China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission last year. The mission, which successfully retrieved samples from the moon’s far side, further demonstrated China’s advancements in space exploration. Pakistan was among several nations that contributed payloads to the probe.
Pakistan’s Astronauts to Train for Tiangong Missions
China and Pakistan will spend about a year selecting candidates for the space mission. Once chosen, the Pakistani astronauts will undergo training in China alongside their Chinese counterparts. According to Xinhua, they are expected to join missions aboard the Tiangong space station within the next few years.
Tiangong, completed in late 2022, can support up to three astronauts for extended missions at an altitude of approximately 450 km (280 miles). The station is designed to operate for at least 15 years, solidifying China’s presence in low Earth orbit.
Expanding International Collaboration in Space
China’s decision to welcome foreign astronauts highlights its ambition to expand international cooperation in space. As the United States continues to restrict China’s participation in the International Space Station, China has been strengthening partnerships with other nations, particularly through its Belt and Road space initiatives.
For Pakistan, this collaboration represents a major leap in its space ambitions, offering its astronauts an opportunity to participate in crewed space missions for the first time. The move could also pave the way for further joint space ventures between the two countries in the future.
With inputs from Reuters