LAUNCH OF SHENZHOU-24 WITH PAKISTANI ASTRONAUT, Nov 24, 2026?, Jiuquan, China, time TBA

China is getting ready for its next crew rotation on the Tiangong space station. China traditionally does not officially announce launch dates until a day or so in advance, but outside observers expect the launch of Shenzhou-24 on November 24, 2026 Beijing Time.

This flight is expected to take the first non-Chinese astronaut to Tiangong, a Pakistani astronaut. Two have been in training.  Which will make the flight and the identity of the two Chinese taikonauts likely will not be announced until a day or two before launch.

The Pakistani astronaut is expected to remain on Tiangong for about one week and return to Earth on Shenzhou-23 with two of the taikonauts currently aboard. The third Shenzhou-23 crew member will remain with the two new Chinese crew for an extra 6 months until the next crew rotation, becoming the first Chinese to remain in space for a year.