Pakistan’s First Astronaut to Join China’s Shenzhou-24 Mission as Payload Specialist

A Pakistani astronaut is set to make history by joining China’s Shenzhou-24 crewed spaceflight mission as a payload specialist, marking the first time a foreign national will visit China’s Tiangong space station. The China Manned Space Agency announced on November 7, 2026, that the mission will also be the first joint spaceflight involving Chinese and foreign astronauts in the history of China’s crewed space program.

Under the plan, the Pakistani astronaut will complete a short stay in orbit before returning to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft. The identity of the astronaut has not been publicly confirmed. Two Pakistani candidates, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, have undergone months of training at China’s astronaut training centre in Beijing. One will fly on the mission while the other will remain available as a backup.

The two candidates were selected through a three-stage assessment process under a cooperation agreement signed between Pakistan and China in Islamabad in February 2025. The agreement laid the groundwork for joint human spaceflight cooperation and paved the way for Pakistan’s first participation in a crewed orbital mission.

The newly unveiled Shenzhou-24 mission emblem also carries a special Pakistani connection, with the country’s national flower, jasmine, incorporated into the design. The inclusion of the jasmine reflects the deepening space partnership between the two countries and adds a symbolic touch to the mission.

The mission represents a significant milestone for Pakistan’s space ambitions and for China’s efforts to expand international collaboration in crewed spaceflight. It also highlights the growing role of bilateral scientific and technological partnerships in advancing human space exploration.

The announcement has drawn attention to the broader potential of Pakistan-China cooperation in space science, training and research, with the Shenzhou-24 mission expected to serve as a foundation for future joint projects in the sector.