China to Send Pakistani Astronauts to Space: A Strategic Move? Today, we are going to discuss a highly interesting and significant topic—China’s decision to send Pakistani astronauts to space.
China’s Announcement: Pakistan to Enter Space
Recently, China made a surprising announcement that it will send one or two Pakistani astronauts to its Tiangong Space Station by 2026. An official agreement regarding this has already been signed between the two countries. This news has not only gained attention in the space sector but has also become a hot topic in global geopolitics.
A Response to US-India Collaboration?
Experts believe that China’s move is a direct response to the growing space cooperation between the United States and India. India and the US are jointly working on the Axiom-4 Mission, which will send an astronaut of Indian origin to the International Space Station (ISS). China seems to be attempting to counter this by sending Pakistani astronauts to space, showcasing its own space capabilities.
China’s “Space Diplomacy” and Pakistan
For the past few years, China has been using its Tiangong Space Station as a tool for “space diplomacy.” Its goal was to invite astronauts from different countries to visit its space station, demonstrating China’s advanced space technology.
However, despite China’s 2023 open invitation, no country showed interest.
The reasons for this include:
- Concerns about China’s rocket technology and safety records.
- The high cost of training and preparing astronauts.
Eventually, China turned to Pakistan as a participant in this mission. Through SUPARCO (Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission), Pakistan agreed to send its astronauts for training and space travel.
A Matter of Pride for Pakistan?
If we look back at history, India had already achieved this milestone in 1984 when Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian astronaut to go to space with Soviet assistance. Similarly, Pakistan is now following the same path but decades later. However, unlike India, Pakistan will not be contributing any significant technology to this mission.
China Taking a Big Risk?
China is taking a huge gamble by sending Pakistani astronauts after just a year of training. Given Pakistan’s lack of prior space experience, this could be a major challenge. While India is preparing for the Gaganyaan mission using its own technology, Pakistan will be entirely dependent on China.
Limited Global Media Coverage
Interestingly, this news is unlikely to receive extensive global media coverage. By 2025, the Axiom-4 Mission will dominate world headlines, highlighting the India-US collaboration. In contrast, China’s mission with Pakistan may remain limited to their own media narratives.
Final Thoughts
It will be interesting to see how this mission unfolds. Will China succeed in boosting its space diplomacy with Pakistan? Or will this remain just another symbolic gesture with limited impact? Only time will tell!