Pakistan's first astronaut to launch from China on Nov 25, minister says
Pakistan's planning minister announced the country's first astronaut will fly to space from a Chinese facility on November 25, part of broader space cooperation plans with China.
What happened
Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced that the country's first astronaut will undertake a space mission from a Chinese space centre on November 25.23
The astronaut was selected from candidates trained in China and is expected to participate in scientific experiments, according to reporting.1
Iqbal also said Pakistan is aiming for a Moon landing by 2035 and that cooperation with China would help the country advance its space ambitions.12
The announcement included plans to establish Pakistan's first Space Museum at the University of Narowal to promote scientific awareness.13
The announcement was made by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal at the concluding ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal.2
Key points
- Pakistan's first astronaut will undertake a space mission from a Chinese space centre on November 25, according to Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.123
- Pakistan aims to achieve a Moon landing by 2035.12
- Plans were announced to establish Pakistan's first Space Museum at the University of Narowal to promote scientific awareness.13
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed named the astronaut selected for the mission.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed the scientific experiments the astronaut is expected to conduct.
- None of the outlets reviewed provided details on the specific Chinese space centre or mission vehicle involved.
Why it matters
Sources (3)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
South Asia
- 1The Times of IndiaINPrivate
Pakistan plans Moon landing by 2035, expands space cooperation with China
- 2DawnPKPrivate
First Pakistani astronaut to undertake space mission from China on Nov 25: Ahsan Iqbal
- 3The Express TribunePKPrivate
Pakistan to launch first astronaut into space from China on Nov 25: Ahsan Iqbal