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The Young Astronaut Training Camp is now recruiting participants. Selected participants will be sent to Beijing and Jiuquan for a series of astronaut training programmes this summer. Interested parties must submit applications through their secondary schools no later than June 12.
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 Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the training camp is sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and implemented by the Hong Kong Space Museum in association with the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre. The training camp aims to provide an opportunity for school students to learn more about the development of China's space technology and undergo Chinese astronaut training, as well as to motivate their interest in astronomy and space science.
The Curator of the Hong Kong Space Museum, Mr Chan Ki-hung, noted that this is the fourth year that the LCSD has worked together with other parties to run this training camp. With the generous support of related institutions, the training programmes are well designed. Participants will be able to visit major space facilities in China, including the China Academy of Space Technology, the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center, the National Astronomical Observatories, the Chinese Aviation Museum and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Mr Chan said, "The highlight of this year's camp is the visit to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, which has been arranged for the first time. This launch centre, with large-scale and advanced equipment, is the main base for testing and launching manned spacecraft in China. Participants will be able to see for themselves facilities that are designed for manned spacecraft, the safety equipment and the quarters for astronauts."
He said that the participants will be taught basic space science and technology, and will undergo astronaut training, which will include donning a spacesuit, space kitchen training, psychological training, escape and survival training and blood redistribution adaptability training. Experiencing these aspects of mandatory training for active Chinese astronauts will help candidates better understand the training process. After completion of the training, they will have to sit for an examination and will be presented with certificates.
The seven-day training camp will run from July 27 to August 2. The quota is limited to 30. Candidates should be full-time secondary school students aged 12 or above and be nominated by their schools. Each school can nominate no more than two students for selection.
The candidates should be 1.4 to 1.75 metres in height and be in good health, independent, extroverted, confident, disciplined, able to get along with people easily and interested in space science. Those with proficiency in Putonghua will be given priority.
There will be three rounds of selection including a quiz in relation to topics on astronomy and space science, a three-day pre-tour training camp and an interview to assess candidates' response and communication skills as well as language competency. Those who perform well in these areas will be selected to join the camp.
For details of the training camp, please visit the Hong Kong Space Museum's website at hk.space.museum/YATC or call 2734 2711.
Ends/Saturday, May 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:01
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