Pakistan is nearing selection of its first astronaut for China's Tiangong station.

Reuters reported that pilots Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud are undergoing language, spacecraft-systems, centrifuge and microgravity preparation at China's astronaut training center. Pakistan's SUPARCO expects a final selection in mid-to-late October; the chosen payload specialist would become both Pakistan's first astronaut and the first foreign national carried to Tiangong.

The mission is expected to carry four Pakistani biotechnology experiments selected from more than 300 university proposals. China will provide the spacecraft, launch site and training, illustrating both the scientific opportunity and Pakistan's dependence on Beijing for crewed access to orbit.