Pakistan preparing first astronaut launch, minister says
At a UN-linked space conference in Islamabad, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the country is preparing to send its first astronaut into space in the near future.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan is preparing to send its first astronaut into space soon.
He spoke on 27 October in Islamabad at a conference held with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs.
Pakistan has successfully launched five satellites in the past 18 months, he said.
He linked space tech to flood and disaster early warning, citing over $30 billion in flood losses in 2022 and 2025.
He called for grant-based climate finance, satellite use in planning, and more space-skills openings for youth and women.