China has selected two Pakistanis as candidates for its manned space programme, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday. Both will undergo training in China and one will participate in a flight mission as a payload specialist and become the first foreign astronaut in China’s space station, CCTV said.The astronauts were identified as Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, reported China Daily.&nbsp;The two passed multiple rounds of selection procedures and will soon attend spaceflight training in China.&nbsp;In a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARC) said the astronauts were set to depart for China to “begin advanced astronaut training at the Astronaut Centre of China (ACC)”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-bound-ship-among-two-vessels-attacked-in-strait-of-hormuz-seized-by-iran-s-irgc-1776859709438">India-bound ship among two vessels attacked in Strait of Hormuz, seized by Iran's IRGC</a>&nbsp;The development is a “significant step forward in Pakistan’s space exploration journey that positions the country in the community of a select group of nations actively engaged in human spaceflight programmes,” it added.&nbsp;“During mission aboard the CSS, the Pakistani astronaut will conduct several scientific experiments in microgravity,” the statement said.It added that the experiments span “critical areas including material science, fluid physics, life/bio science, and biotechnology, with potential applications for climate resilience, food security, and industrial innovation”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-there-will-be-consequences-india-warns-iran-after-attack-on-2-tankers-in-hormuz-1776597009259">‘There will be consequences,’ India warns Iran after attack on 2 tankers in Hormuz</a>&nbsp;In February 2025, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) had signed a cooperation agreement on the spaceflight of Pakistani astronaut to the Chinese space station.&nbsp;Under the pact, two Pakistanis were to train in China, with one joining a mission on the Tiangong space station operated by Beijing. The mission is planned for launch later this year.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-put-democracy-in-jeopardy-sc-raps-cm-mamata-banerjee-for-interfering-in-ed-raid-at-i-pac-premises-1776866314032">‘Put democracy in jeopardy’: SC raps CM Mamata Banerjee for interfering in ED raid at I-PAC premises</a>&nbsp;In February this year, two astronauts were shortlisted for Pakistan’s Human Spaceflight Programme by the Astronauts Centre of China. Upon completing all required training and passing assessments, one of them will participate in a spaceflight mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to enter China’s space station.&nbsp;China has been barred from participating in the International Space Station since 2011, when the US prohibited NASA from collaborating with Chinese space agencies.

In February 2025, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) had signed a cooperation agreement on the spaceflight of Pakistani astronaut to the Chinese space station.

China has selected two Pakistanis as candidates for its manned space programme, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday. Both will undergo training in China and one will participate in a flight mission as a payload specialist and become the first foreign astronaut in China’s space station, CCTV said. The astronauts were identified as Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, reported China Daily. The two passed multiple rounds of selection procedures and will soon attend spaceflight training in China. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARC) said the astronauts were set to depart for China to “begin advanced astronaut training at the Astronaut Centre of China (ACC)”. Also Read: India-bound ship among two vessels attacked in Strait of Hormuz, seized by Iran's IRGC The development is a “significant step forward in Pakistan’s space exploration journey that positions the country in the community of a select group of nations actively engaged in human spaceflight programmes,” it added. “During mission aboard the CSS, the Pakistani astronaut will conduct several scientific experiments in microgravity,” the statement said. It added that the experiments span “critical areas including material science, fluid physics, life/bio science, and biotechnology, with potential applications for climate resilience, food security, and industrial innovation”. Also Read: ‘There will be consequences,’ India warns Iran after attack on 2 tankers in Hormuz In February 2025, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) had signed a cooperation agreement on the spaceflight of Pakistani astronaut to the Chinese space station. Under the pact, two Pakistanis were to train in China, with one joining a mission on the Tiangong space station operated by Beijing. The mission is planned for launch later this year. Also Read: ‘Put democracy in jeopardy’: SC raps CM Mamata Banerjee for interfering in ED raid at I-PAC premises In February this year, two astronauts were shortlisted for Pakistan’s Human Spaceflight Programme by the Astronauts Centre of China. Upon completing all required training and passing assessments, one of them will participate in a spaceflight mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to enter China’s space station. China has been barred from participating in the International Space Station since 2011, when the US prohibited NASA from collaborating with Chinese space agencies.

In February 2025, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) had signed a cooperation agreement on the spaceflight of Pakistani astronaut to the Chinese space station.

2 Pakistani astronauts selected for China’s manned space mission, to undergo training

The Indian and Russian space agencies are working on building their respective sovereign space stations that can serve as labs circling the Earth. Given the decades-long strategic ties between the two nations, the Indian Space Agency ISRO has expressed interest in utilising Russia's rich experience and partnering with the country to develop the proposed crewed Bharatiya Antariksh Station(BAS) or Indian Space Station.&nbsp;&nbsp;"For the preparation of the Indian Space Station(BAS), we are looking for good cooperation with Russia... to have common sub-systems for control, powering, communication, tracking," Director of ISRO's IPRC, J. Asir Packiaraj, said at the Russian Space Forum in Moscow. Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union) began operating their national space station in 1971, and has maintained a near-continuous human presence in space since then.&nbsp;With the International Space Station(ISS) operated by space agencies of US, Russia, Europe, Japan, Canada, expected to be decommissioned by the end of this decade, and China having the only other crewed space station, domain experts at the Russian Space Forum were discussing the Post-ISS future and opportunities for cooperation.&nbsp;The first Russian Space Forum is the central event of the nationwide Space Week, which is being held across Russia to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the first human spaceflight. Yuri Gagarin flew on the erstwhile Soviet Union's Vostok-1 mission on April 12th 1961.&nbsp;Outlining the Indian space agency's vision, Packiaraj said that the country's proposed space station would be placed 450 km above the Earth, at an inclination of 51.6 degrees, which is the same inclination of the proposed Russian space station, known as the Russian Orbital Station(ROS). Inclination is the tilt or slant of the orbit, with respect to the Earth's equator. A satellite or space station orbiting exactly above the equator will have a 0-degree inclination, while a satellite going over the north and south pole will have a 90-degree inclination. Likewise, a space station in a 51.6 degree inclination will reach up to 51.6 degree North and 51.6 degree South latitude. Further, the Director of ISRO Propulsion Complex said that India is exploring partnerships with space agencies of spacefaring nations for building the BAS.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="http://wionews.com/world/magyar-thanks-russia-china-for-accepting-poll-results-pledges-new-era-for-hungary-1776090925642">Magyar thanks Russia, China for accepting poll results, pledges ‘new era’ for Hungary</a>&nbsp;Referring to the benefits of having the future Indian and Russian space stations and proposed American private space stations operating at the same 51.6 degree inclination, veteran Russian astronaut and the Deputy Director General for Piloted Programs at Roscosmos, Sergey Krikalev, said that being in the same inclination would help crew-carrying capsules conveniently fly from one station to another.&nbsp;He cited the example of the Soyuz T-15 mission, where the crew initially docked with the Mir space station, then undocked and flew to the ageing Salyut-7 space station, performed their duties aboard Salyut-7, returned back to Mir, and then flew home to Earth. This was also the only mission in history where the crew visited two separate space stations during the same mission. For a brief period in the mid-1980s, the Soviet Union had two operational space stations: Salyut-7 and Mir.&nbsp;Having two space stations in the same inclination would also enable easy rescue in case of any emergency. When one station faces any kind of danger or major operational issues, the crew can undock their capsule from it and travel to the other station and dock there. Therefore, each station can serve as a lifeboat for the other. It also enables easy transfer of cargo and fuel from one station to another. Further, existing ground infrastructure and antennae can be used to track these stations and maintain contact.&nbsp;Krikalev also highlighted the need for future space stations to have common technology and interface systems such as docking ports, communications systems, data transfer mechanisms, and electrical power systems, among others. He emphasised that such technological compatibility is crucial for cooperation. &nbsp;&nbsp;Elaborating on how Russia intends to build its proposed ROS space station, Krikalev said that modules(parts) of the new station would be launched and docked to the International Space Station, and then they would be gradually undocked to become an independent entity. The ROS station is in its design and production phase, he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;On the development of the ROS, Krikalev also said that it is crucial to transfer experience and technology from one generation of space station to another. He referred to how the lessons learned from Salyut space stations were applied in the Mir space station, and how the lessons from Mir were passed on to the Russian module of the ISS. On developing the future ROS, he said that continuous transfer of knowledge and experience is the way ahead, rather than starting from scratch.&nbsp;While Russia works on its ROS, India has envisioned a five-module space station with a total mass of 54tons. Its initial configuration and system level finalization is underway, Packiaraj added. The Indian Government has allocated ₹1763crore (approx $176mn) for a period of four years (2025 to 2028), for the development and launch of the first module of the country's proposed five-module space station.&nbsp;

With the International Space Station set to be decommissioned by decade’s end, experts at the Russian Space Forum discussed post-ISS cooperation, as China remains the only operator of another crewed space station.

The Indian and Russian space agencies are working on building their respective sovereign space stations that can serve as labs circling the Earth. Given the decades-long strategic ties between the two nations, the Indian Space Agency ISRO has expressed interest in utilising Russia's rich experience and partnering with the country to develop the proposed crewed Bharatiya Antariksh Station(BAS) or Indian Space Station. "For the preparation of the Indian Space Station(BAS), we are looking for good cooperation with Russia... to have common sub-systems for control, powering, communication, tracking," Director of ISRO's IPRC, J. Asir Packiaraj, said at the Russian Space Forum in Moscow. Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union) began operating their national space station in 1971, and has maintained a near-continuous human presence in space since then. With the International Space Station(ISS) operated by space agencies of US, Russia, Europe, Japan, Canada, expected to be decommissioned by the end of this decade, and China having the only other crewed space station, domain experts at the Russian Space Forum were discussing the Post-ISS future and opportunities for cooperation. The first Russian Space Forum is the central event of the nationwide Space Week, which is being held across Russia to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the first human spaceflight. Yuri Gagarin flew on the erstwhile Soviet Union's Vostok-1 mission on April 12th 1961. Outlining the Indian space agency's vision, Packiaraj said that the country's proposed space station would be placed 450 km above the Earth, at an inclination of 51.6 degrees, which is the same inclination of the proposed Russian space station, known as the Russian Orbital Station(ROS). Inclination is the tilt or slant of the orbit, with respect to the Earth's equator. A satellite or space station orbiting exactly above the equator will have a 0-degree inclination, while a satellite going over the north and south pole will have a 90-degree inclination. Likewise, a space station in a 51.6 degree inclination will reach up to 51.6 degree North and 51.6 degree South latitude. Further, the Director of ISRO Propulsion Complex said that India is exploring partnerships with space agencies of spacefaring nations for building the BAS. Also Read: Magyar thanks Russia, China for accepting poll results, pledges ‘new era’ for Hungary Referring to the benefits of having the future Indian and Russian space stations and proposed American private space stations operating at the same 51.6 degree inclination, veteran Russian astronaut and the Deputy Director General for Piloted Programs at Roscosmos, Sergey Krikalev, said that being in the same inclination would help crew-carrying capsules conveniently fly from one station to another. He cited the example of the Soyuz T-15 mission, where the crew initially docked with the Mir space station, then undocked and flew to the ageing Salyut-7 space station, performed their duties aboard Salyut-7, returned back to Mir, and then flew home to Earth. This was also the only mission in history where the crew visited two separate space stations during the same mission. For a brief period in the mid-1980s, the Soviet Union had two operational space stations: Salyut-7 and Mir. Having two space stations in the same inclination would also enable easy rescue in case of any emergency. When one station faces any kind of danger or major operational issues, the crew can undock their capsule from it and travel to the other station and dock there. Therefore, each station can serve as a lifeboat for the other. It also enables easy transfer of cargo and fuel from one station to another. Further, existing ground infrastructure and antennae can be used to track these stations and maintain contact. Krikalev also highlighted the need for future space stations to have common technology and interface systems such as docking ports, communications systems, data transfer mechanisms, and electrical power systems, among others. He emphasised that such technological compatibility is crucial for cooperation. Elaborating on how Russia intends to build its proposed ROS space station, Krikalev said that modules(parts) of the new station would be launched and docked to the International Space Station, and then they would be gradually undocked to become an independent entity. The ROS station is in its design and production phase, he added. On the development of the ROS, Krikalev also said that it is crucial to transfer experience and technology from one generation of space station to another. He referred to how the lessons learned from Salyut space stations were applied in the Mir space station, and how the lessons from Mir were passed on to the Russian module of the ISS. On developing the future ROS, he said that continuous transfer of knowledge and experience is the way ahead, rather than starting from scratch. While Russia works on its ROS, India has envisioned a five-module space station with a total mass of 54tons. Its initial configuration and system level finalization is underway, Packiaraj added. The Indian Government has allocated ₹1763crore (approx $176mn) for a period of four years (2025 to 2028), for the development and launch of the first module of the country's proposed five-module space station.

With the International Space Station set to be decommissioned by decade’s end, experts at the Russian Space Forum discussed post-ISS cooperation, as China remains the only operator of another crewed space station.

India, Russia express intent to use common tech in future space stations

As of 2025, two space stations are actively orbiting Earth with fully operational life support systems. The International Space Station (ISS) has been continuously inhabited since November 2000, serving as a hub for international scientific research and collaboration. 

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This transition marks a pivotal moment in space exploration, with several countries and companies stepping up to fill the void left by the ISS.

Next-generation space stations: How many countries are racing to replace the ISS?

Rocket launches face new climate risks as global warming causes more storms and heatwaves. At the same time, launches create pollution and space debris that affect the upper atmosphere. Now, agencies are racing to find greener, safer ways for rocket launches.

How will climate change affect space exploration?

AI is becoming essential for space missions helping with navigation, health, repairs, and mental wellbeing. From robotic assistants to mission planning tools, AI will support astronauts on deep space journeys, including future Mars missions.

How AI is changing space missions and helping astronauts explore further

The ISS will retire around 2030, with SpaceX leading its safe deorbit mission. NASA and private firms plan new space stations and missions, while SpaceX’s Starship aims for Moon and Mars exploration, marking a new era in space travel and commercial space stations.

What role will SpaceX play after the ISS retires?

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, hopes for a distant future when "a trillion" humans will colonise the solar system. In the Lex Fridman podcast, published on Thursday, Bezos said that our solar system has enough resources to support a civilisation that large.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, hopes for a distant future when "a trillion" humans will colonise the solar system. In the Lex Fridman podcast, published on Thursday, Bezos said that our solar system has enough resources to support a civilisation that large. But people won't be inhabiting other planets. Instead, they would be living in massive space stations. By a trillion humans, Bezos meant that "a thousand Mozarts and a thousand Einsteins" could be up in space at any given point. Bezos envisioned space stations that resembled the cylindrical habitats proposed by the late physicist Gerard K. O'Neill. "They have a lot of advantages over planetary surfaces. You can spin them to get normal earth gravity. You can put them where you want them," he said of O'Neill-style colonies, adding that most people will want to live near Earth anyway. ALSO READ | James Webb spots record-breaking small, rare kind of brown 'failed' star Bezos' space colony agenda differs from that of Elon Musk, his main competitor. The SpaceX founder, Musk, has been vocal about his ambition to colonise Mars by 2050. SpaceX also has plans to help NASA send humans to the moon, but its colonisation goals are more aligned towards Mars. Meanwhile, Bezos has set his eyes on the moon, revealing the giant Blue Moon lunar lander concept in 2019. He also spoke about an O'Neill-style shaped cylinder that can maintain a good climate throughout the year. "As a species, we've got to do this. We're going to crucify this planet sooner or later. So you might as well die going to Mars," Kevin Moffat, an associate professor at the University of Warwick who specialises in human physiology, told Business Insider. Previously, experts have talked about the scientific and ethical dilemmas related to the glorious plans of space colonisation of both billionaires. They have warned about the problems related to gravity and space's human immune system. However, that does not mean that their efforts went in vain. During the podcast, Bezos told Fridman that humans could choose to go back and forth between space stations and Earth in the distant future. According to Bezos, space colonisation ultimately means to preserve the planet. "We've sent robotic probes to all the planets," he said. "We know that this is the good one." (With inputs from agencies)

Bezos wants humans to colonise the solar system, while Musk has his sight set on Mars

Days after the successful launch of India's Chandrayaan-3. Britain has announced some major plans for taking part in the space race. UK is planning to launch a rocket every month.

Is Britain finally joining the space race after Chandrayaan-3's success?

China has launched three astronauts to build its own space station. This is just the first step in Beijing's space domination plans. China has plans to mine the moon and build colonies on Mars. Palki Sharma tells you about China's plans to colonise space.

Gravitas: China's plans to conquer the Moon, Mars and beyond

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