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Thirty students taking part in the Young Astronaut Training Camp attended the send-off ceremony at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (August 1), declaring in front of officiating guests their commitment to their training performance. They will set off to Beijing for a seven-day training trip tomorrow. The training camp is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center and the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and co-organised by the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre.
Officiating at the send-off ceremony were the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; the Director General of Education, Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Pan Yonghua; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Choi Koon-shum; a member of the Board of Directors of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Dr Tso Wung-wai; and the Deputy Director (Culture) of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Chung Ling-hoi.
Mr Tsang said at the ceremony that to arouse the interest of the new generation in astronomy and space science and deepen teenagers' understanding of China's space technology and culture, the LCSD and the China Astronaut Research and Training Center have, for the third time, jointly organised the Young Astronaut Training Camp. The programme has been well received by the public in the past two years.
He said every year, the selected participants could not only acquire basic knowledge of space science and astronomy technology, and visit major space facilities in China such as the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center and the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, but would also be given an opportunity to experience the astronauts' tough training and meet Chinese space experts and eminent Chinese astronauts such as Yang Liwei. Through these activities, the participants learned about the dedication, perseverance and indomitable spirit of the Chinese astronauts.
Recruitment for this year's Young Astronaut Training Camp started in May and received an overwhelming response from schools. A total of 238 students nominated by 139 schools applied for the training camp. After three rounds of selection, which included a quiz on astronomy and space science, a three-day camp to assess the candidates' fitness, and an interview to evaluate their responses and communication skills as well as language proficiency, 30 students were selected to be the young astronauts, comprising 15 boys and 15 girls.
One of the adjudicators, Mr Xiao Zhijun of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, noted that he was particularly impressed by the independent thinking displayed by most of the candidates, who could analyse a problem from different perspectives.
Instructors from Outward Bound Hong Kong who took part in assessing the candidates also remarked that the candidates exhibited a positive attitude, as well as initiative, self-confidence and willingness to accept challenges.
The Young Astronaut Training Camp will run from August 2 to 8. Participants of the Young Astronaut Training Camp will visit major space facilities including the China Academy of Space Technology, the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center, the Xilong and Miyun Observing Stations of the National Astronomical Observatories and the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. They will be taught basic space science and technology and undergo astronaut training, including donning and taking off a spacesuit, use of a space kitchen, psychological training, escape and survival training and blood redistribution adaptability training. After completion of the training, they will take an examination and be presented with certificates.
The Young Astronaut Training Camp is sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
For details of the training camp, please visit the webpage on the Hong Kong Space Museum's website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Space/YATC/c_yatc_2011c.htm (Chinese only) or call 2721 0226.
Ends/Monday, August 1, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:25
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