Quote from Alex bobby on March 4, 2025, 2:57 AM

Pakistan and China Strengthen Space Collaboration: A Leap Forward or Dependency?

As Pakistan and China ramp up their cooperation in space exploration, the South Asian nation finds itself at a pivotal moment in its space journey. With China’s support, Pakistan is set to send its first astronaut aboard the Tiangong space station, making it the first country to do so as a guest of Beijing’s ambitious space program. This milestone follows earlier collaborations, including Pakistan’s lunar satellite ICUBE-Q, which was carried to the moon aboard China’s Chang’e-6 mission, and the announcement that a Pakistani rover will join China’s Chang’e-8 mission in 2028.

While these developments signify a promising step forward for Pakistan’s space ambitions, experts caution that Islamabad must focus on developing its own capabilities to truly benefit from this collaboration rather than remain reliant on Beijing’s technological prowess.

China’s Expanding Space Influence and Pakistan’s Role

Pakistan’s growing involvement in China’s space missions is not surprising given the strong diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. Islamabad hosts the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has brought in billions of dollars in Chinese investments. As China positions itself as a leader in space exploration, bringing a close ally like Pakistan into its fold serves both strategic and geopolitical purposes.

Carlo Iorio, director of the Center for Research and Engineering in Space Technology at the Free University of Brussels, notes that China is seeking to expand its influence in the Global South. “It’s quite straightforward to think that one of the possible first candidates to be granted access to the Chinese Space Station could have been a Pakistani astronaut,” he said.

China’s 25-year space plan, unveiled last October, includes ambitious goals such as deep space exploration, lunar research, and interplanetary missions. Pakistan’s involvement in these projects underscores the deep-rooted strategic ties between the two nations.

Pakistan’s Space Aspirations and the Need for Independence

While Pakistan stands to gain significant technical knowledge from its collaboration with China, experts stress that true progress will only come if Islamabad invests in self-reliance.

Amer Gilani, Secretary of Pakistan Human Spaceflight Cooperation at the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), acknowledges that China has a well-established space program, capable of designing and launching satellites for various applications. “Pakistan wants to achieve self-reliance in the design and development of satellites for remote sensing, communication, deep space exploration, and lunar missions,” he said. “With collaboration with China, our space ambitions can progress much better.”

However, experts warn that mere collaboration without capacity building will not lead to sustainable growth. Assistant Professor Yarjan Abdul Samad from Khalifa University in the UAE, who is also affiliated with the University of Cambridge, argues that Pakistan must move towards equal footing in this partnership. “If you go on these projects and you are just on the receiving end, your technological development is very limited,” he said.

The Global Space Race and China’s Strategic Edge

Currently, the International Space Station (ISS) and China’s Tiangong are the only two operational space stations orbiting Earth. The ISS, a joint effort of 15 countries, is set to be retired by 2030. With the expansion of commercial space programs, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the dynamics of space exploration are rapidly shifting.

Iorio highlights that Tiangong could become the sole government-run space station in the future, making collaboration with China an attractive option for developing nations. However, he cautions that Pakistan must ensure that its astronaut is not just a symbolic gesture but part of a meaningful scientific mission.

Yarjan Abdul Samad echoes this sentiment, emphasising that sending a Pakistani into space should not be about national pride alone. “It will only make sense if they assist in carrying out work which is not possible with unmanned vehicles and which helps in finding solutions to technological problems,” he said.

SUPARCO has indicated that Pakistan’s astronaut will participate in experiments across various disciplines, including biological and medical sciences, aerospace studies, space radiation analysis, and astronomy.

Challenges Ahead: Governance and Brain Drain

Despite receiving over $25 billion in Chinese investments for CPEC, Pakistan continues to struggle with economic challenges, largely attributed to governance issues. If the country fails to develop its technological ecosystem, it risks losing its brightest minds to foreign nations, including China.

Iorio warns that without strong research institutions and support for indigenous innovation, Pakistan may face a brain drain. “Without supporting research in the country, it will drain more talent towards foreign nations,” he said.

For now, Pakistan’s space journey takes an exciting turn as SUPARCO begins the search for the country’s first astronaut. According to Amer Gilani, the selection process will prioritise candidates with expertise in aviation, physical and psychological fitness, analytical skills, and strong academic qualifications.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s collaboration with China in space exploration marks a significant milestone, but the nation’s long-term success hinges on its ability to develop independent capabilities. While China provides a valuable opportunity for knowledge-sharing, Islamabad must ensure that its participation extends beyond symbolic achievements. By investing in research, fostering local talent, and prioritising self-reliance, Pakistan can move from being a passive beneficiary to an active player in the global space race. Otherwise, it risks remaining dependent on China’s technological advancements rather than standing on its own in the cosmos.