China and Pakistan have formalised an agreement to send a Pakistani astronaut to China's Tiangong space station, marking the first time a foreign national will visit the orbiting laboratory, according to a press release by the China Manned Space Engineering Office.

Concurrently, the United States is facilitating India's inaugural human spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) through a mission operated by a private company Axiom Space, underscoring the evolving dynamics of global space partnerships.

China-Pakistan space cooperation

On February 28, 2025, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) signed a landmark cooperation agreement in Islamabad.

The ceremony, held at the Prime Minister's Office, was witnessed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, CMSEO Deputy Director Lin Xiqiang, and SUPARCO Chairman Mohammad Yousaf Khan. The newly signed accord initiates the selection and training of Pakistani astronauts for missions aboard China's Tiangong space station, symbolising a new chapter in Sino-Pakistani space collaboration. The agreement outlines a comprehensive plan wherein Pakistani astronauts will undergo rigorous training in China in 2026.

Following the training, they will join Chinese astronauts on the Tiangong space station for short-term missions in the coming years. The collaboration will be both an opportunity and a challenge for Pakistan. While the partnership offers Pakistan access to advanced space technology and training, it will be imperative for Islamabad to develop its own capabilities to fully benefit beyond what would boil down to mere space tourism. However the budgetary concerns and the poor performance of Islamabad's economy puts it in question if any of it is affordable for Pakistan given the pinch its exchequer is feeling.

China is barred from cooperating with the US due to a unilateral domestic legislation on Washington’s side called the “Wolf Amendment” which particularly targets Beijing. As a reaction China is motivated to carve its own international alliances in space and a relationship such as the one one with Pakistan can be part of a broader strategy of extending its influence in space exploration through diplomatic partnerships, thereby positioning itself as a key player.

US-India collaboration via Axiom Space

In an almost parallel development, Axiom Space, a private American aerospace company, revealed in a press release that it has entered into a spaceflight agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The partnership aims to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), scheduled for launch sometime in mid 2025. The mission signifies a pivotal moment in US-India space relations, highlighting a shared commitment to expanding collaboration and capabilities in human spaceflight. According to a report by The Hindu, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is the designated mission pilot for Ax-4. An alumnus of India's National Defence Academy, Group Captain Shukla has accumulated approximately 2,000 flight hours across various aircraft, including the highly agile Su-30 MKI and MiG-29.

His participation in the mission not only marks India's return to human spaceflight after four decades but also provides invaluable experience for the nation's forthcoming independent space endeavours, such as the Gaganyaan mission. The Ax-4 mission, commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, will transport a multinational crew to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The crew includes astronauts from Poland and Hungary, also making it the first time these nations will participate in a mission to the ISS. This collaboration underscores Axiom Space's role in redefining pathways to low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programmes globally.

Axiom Space is also exploring the utilisation of Indian launch vehicles for future missions, reflecting a deepening engagement with India's burgeoning space sector. Discussions with ISRO and private Indian launch companies aim to identify optimal solutions for transporting materials and crew to space, aligning with India's efforts to bolster its commercial space market and infrastructure.

Implications for global space exploration

These concurrent developments signify a transformative period in global space exploration, characterised by increased international cooperation in an era where space stations will be in short supply.

It is almost certain that China will have the sole operational laboratory able to support the permanent presence of humans after the ISS is deorbited sometime in the 2030s. While China has been characterised as a closed-off insular actor in high tech endeavours, with this shift in the overall human space presence dynamic it has changed course just in time to benefit from such labels. China's decision to host a Pakistani astronaut aboard Tiangong not only strengthens bilateral ties but also positions China as a leader in inclusive space diplomacy.

By opening its space station to foreign astronauts, China demonstrates a willingness to share its technological advancements and collaborate on scientific research, potentially inspiring other developing countries to participate in space exploration. Similarly, the US-India collaboration facilitated by Axiom Space highlights another evolving aspect of the nature of space missions, where private enterprises play a pivotal role in bridging international partnerships. This mission exemplifies how commercial entities can complement national space agencies, offering flexible and innovative solutions for crewed spaceflight.

Moreover, India's involvement in the Ax-4 mission provides critical insights and experience that will inform its domestic human spaceflight programme - the Gaganyaan missions. The participation of astronauts from Poland and Hungary further illustrates the democratisation of space access, as more countries invest in human spaceflight capabilities. These collaborations contribute to a more diverse and inclusive global space community, fostering a multitude of perspectives and expertise in addressing the challenges of space exploration.

The US support for international astronauts through private companies like Axiom Space may set a precedent for future public-private partnerships, expanding the possibilities for human spaceflight.