Pakistan Follows India’s Path: To Send Its First Astronaut to Space Next Year with Help from This Neighbouring Country
Islamabad (The Uttam Hindu): Pakistan is preparing to send its first astronaut into space in 2026, in collaboration with China. The astronaut will be launched to China’s space station, marking a historic milestone for the nation. However, behind this ambitious step lies the long and underwhelming journey of SUPARCO (Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission), Pakistan’s national space agency, which despite its early establishment in 1961—before India and China—has lagged in progress.
SUPARCO had a promising start with support from Nobel laureate Dr. Abdus Salam, launching its first rocket Rehbar-1 in 1962. In 1990, it launched its first satellite Badr-1 with Chinese assistance. But after these initial achievements, the space program stagnated due to inadequate government funding and lack of long-term strategic vision. Today, SUPARCO operates on an annual budget of just $36 million—far below global standards.
Over the years, the organization has been increasingly managed by retired military personnel, limiting its scientific direction. Pakistan also lacks advanced infrastructure for higher education and training in space sciences, resulting in a shortage of qualified experts. Meanwhile, the country’s strategic focus remained heavily on nuclear capabilities, leaving space research neglected.
As a result, Pakistan has become almost entirely dependent on China for its space ambitions. All recent satellite launches have relied on Chinese technology and expertise. The upcoming astronaut mission is also fully based on Chinese training and hardware, with two Pakistani candidates currently undergoing training in China.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recently emphasized the need to promote space science within the country and has hinted at future plans to send missions to the Moon. However, experts note that Pakistan currently lacks the independent technological capacity to carry out such missions. Even the proposed lunar mission by 2035 would depend on China's continued support.