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A photo exhibition featuring 30 local students who joined a young astronaut training camp in Beijing and Xichang this summer is being held at the Foyer of the Hong Kong Space Museum from today (October 4) until November 30.
The Young Astronaut Training Camp was jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre, co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre and sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
It is the first official training programme of its kind organised by the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre for teenage students in Hong Kong. It aims to enrich studentsˇ¦ knowledge and experience of Chinese astronaut training, enabling them to learn more about the achievements of Chinese space technology and fostering an interest in astronomy and space science.
The 30 young astronauts ˇV 19 boys and 11 girls - joined the seven-day training camp from August 8 to 14. During the training, the students visited major space facilities in Beijing, including the China Academy of Space Technology, Mission Control Hall, China Astronaut Research and Training Centre, and the National Observatory. They were taught basic space science and technology through lectures and underwent simulated astronaut training, including putting on and taking off spacesuits, using a multi-functional swivel chair, blood redistribution training and escape and survival training. They even had the chance to eat space food.
By making a model rocket, they learned the structure of rockets and the procedure to assemble a model rocket. They also tried to put together and launch their maiden rockets by themselves. The students met Chinese astronauts Mr Yang Liwei, Mr Nie Haisheng, Mr Fei Junlong, Mr Zhai Zhigang, Mr Liu Boming and Mr Jing Haipeng, who shared with them their space experiences and the spirit of being Chinese astronauts.
They visited the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Xichang. This centre successfully launched the Dongfanghong (Red East) 2 in 1984 and Chinaˇ¦s fist lunar probe, Changˇ¦e-1 in 2007. During their visit, the students saw the assembly of a rocket launcher. After completing the training, they were given an examination and presented with certificates.
The Space Museum is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It opens from 1pm to 9pm from Monday to Friday, and from 10am to 9pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays). Admission to the Young Astronaut Training Camp photo exhibition is free.
For details of the training camp, please visit the museum's website at http://hk.space.museum/.
Ends/Sunday, October 4, 2009
Issued at HKT 10:01
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