Two Pakistani pilots train for historic mission to China space station
Pakistani pilots Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud are completing training in Beijing with a final selection decision expected in mid-to-late October for a flight to the Tiangong space station.
Training program details
The two men have spent months at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center learning Mandarin and repairing equipment in weightlessness. Their preparation includes intensive Chinese-language instruction and adapting to microgravity before liftoff.
Selection process outcome
Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud beat out roughly 20 finalists from an initial Pakistani pool. Amer Gilani of SUPARCO stated that whoever is chosen will not return to Pakistan before launch.
Broader cooperation context
This voyage represents a first for the South Asian nation within broader ties with Beijing. Previous projects include Chinese-launched Pakistani satellites and a joint satellite-navigation system.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- Business Recorder
- Dawn
Reported by
2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.