Coronavirus pandemic delays Pakistan’s first space mission, says Fawad Chaudhry

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Monday said that Pakistan’s first space mission has been delayed due to Coronavirus pandemic.

Last year, Fawad Chaudhry  had announced that Pakistan will send its “first person to space” in 2022.

“Proud to announce that selection process for the first Pakistani to be sent to space shall begin from Feb 2020,” he shared. “Fifty people will be shortlisted — list will then come down to 25 and in 2022, we will send our first person to space.”

“This will be the biggest space event of our history,” added the PTI minister.

The federal minister while congratulating United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its historic achievement in its first mission to Mars, said that Pakistan’s first space mission has been postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said UAE is investing in new technologies and achieved a milestone in its space exploration programme under the visionary wise leadership.

Fawad chaudhry greeted  the UAE scientists and Science minister for the successful launch of Mars mission, adding, this is a great moment not just for the United Arab Emirates, but for all the global partners that are involved in exploring space.

“we are also proud for the UAE which was equally giving opportunities to its Emirati women who are working on the Mars mission,” said Chaudhry .

The federal minister said Pakistan is looking at increased cooperation with the UAE in the field of space, museums and precision agriculture sectors.