A Pakistani astronaut is about to make history by joining China's Shenzhou 24 mission, marking the first time someone from Pakistan (and any country outside China) will visit the Tiangong space station.
This milestone comes from a 2025 partnership deal between China and Pakistan, and the astronaut will spend a week on board doing research with four science experiments.
Yearlong Tiangong stay signals international teamwork
Shenzhou 24 is launching in November from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
While official names haven't been released, Pakistani pilots Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud are strong contenders after training in China.
In a cool twist, one current crew member will stay on Tiangong for a full year while the visiting Pakistani astronaut heads home with two others, a new approach that highlights how China is opening up its space program to international teamwork.