Pakistan courts NASA partnership as it eyes first Moon mission by 2035

ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday sought to deepen Pakistan’s cooperation with the US space agency NASA while holding meetings with aerospace companies during a visit to Houston, saying Islamabad aims to launch its first national mission to the Moon by 2035 as part of a broader drive to advance the country’s space program.

The development comes as Pakistan seeks to broaden its space cooperation beyond its collaboration with China, using science, research and technology partnerships to build a knowledge-based economy and develop a new generation of engineers, scientists and innovators.

Earlier this year, two Pakistani astronaut candidates completed advanced assessments in China for a human spaceflight mission, with one expected to travel to a Chinese space station later this year.

Pakistan has also collaborated with China on satellite launches and lunar exploration projects as it seeks to build its space capabilities.

“Pakistan aims to send a national mission to the Moon by 2035 and establish a sustained lunar presence by 2047,” Iqbal said, according to a statement issued by the Planning Ministry after the meetings.

“This vision is not limited to space missions alone, but forms part of a wider national strategy to lay the foundations of a knowledge-based, research-driven and innovation-led economy,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s space program would be advanced through global partnerships, modern research and the strength of its young workforce.

Iqbal also invited American aerospace companies to establish development centers in Pakistan, saying the government wanted to harness the country’s young talent while drawing on NASA’s experience, training programs and scientific expertise to strengthen Pakistan’s capabilities in space science and technology.

He said Pakistan was developing a national space education program to promote scientific curiosity, research and innovation among young people, with a proposed Space Exploration Center in Narowal intended to inspire future scientists, researchers and inventors.

The minister said Pakistani engineers, scientists and information technology professionals had the potential to play a prominent role in the global space industry if provided with world-class training, research opportunities and international exposure.

Iqbal said cooperation with NASA and the US aerospace industry could open a new chapter in scientific research, space education and technology collaboration, adding that Pakistan wanted to increasingly anchor its relationship with the US in science, innovation and technology.