Technology News and Headlines

China Set for Its First One-Year Human Spaceflight Mission, Confirms Pakistani Astronaut Flight

China announced its first one‑year human spaceflight mission aboard the Tiangong space station, selecting an astronaut from the Shenzhou‑23 crew to remain in orbit for twelve months. The Shenzhou‑23 launch is slated for April‑May 2026, following an early delivery of the spacecraft after a cracked viewport incident on Shenzhou‑20. In parallel, China confirmed a Pakistani astronaut will conduct a short‑duration visit, likely on Shenzhou‑24 in late 2026, marking its first international crew member. The program dovetails with China’s broader push toward a pre‑2030 lunar landing and new launch‑vehicle development.