Pakistan’s Space Agency To Send First Astronaut in Space By 2022

Pakistan’s space agency would send a human to space for the first time in 2022 with China’s assistance, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced Thursday, ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s maiden visit to Beijing.

Pakistan’s first space mission has been planned for 2022 and the federal Cabinet meeting chaired by Khan approved the plan on Thursday, he was quoted as saying by The News. An agreement between Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and a Chinese company has already been signed, the minister said.

Earlier this year, Pakistan launched two indigenously built satellites into orbit, using a Chinese launch vehicle. Prime Minister Khan is embarking on his first visit to China on November 3 and will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, Geo News quoted the Foreign Office as saying.

How Pakistan’s Space Agency SUPARCO beat ISRO in Space Race?

Why Pakistan’s Space Agency SUPARCO was left behind by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) despite being at least a decade ahead? What went wrong with SUPARCO which was first of its kind space agency in the sub-continent, leaving behind both China and India?

There were a number of developments that happened globally in the year 1961. This was the year when the United States elected their new charismatic president John F Kennedy. The same year the USSR sent its first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, and it was in the year 1961 when India initiated its third five-year plan. You can read the complete story here.

More News at EurAsian Times