Pakistani astronaut to join Shenzhou 24, first foreigner on China's space station

· Science · China · Pakistan

A Pakistani astronaut will join the crew of China's Shenzhou 24 spacecraft, state media reported, in a mission that would make him the first foreign national to board Beijing's space station. The report did not give a launch date. China has operated its modular station for several years and has said it welcomes international participation; this would be the first crewed foreign visit. A successful flight would give China a visible demonstration of its position as a space partner for developing countries operating outside the US-led International Space Station framework. Details of the astronaut's training, mission length and research program were not released in the report.

Why it matters：It is the first crewed international visit to China's station, a marker of how Beijing is converting its orbital outpost into a diplomatic and scientific tool beyond the US-led ISS partnership.

Key points

  • The mission would be the first time a foreign national flies to China's space station.
  • The report came from China's state media and gave no launch date.
  • Pakistan would be the first partner country to send a crew member to the station.

Sources (original reporting)

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