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The Acting Financial Secretary, Professor K C Chan, and the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-9 mission, Mr Jing Haipeng, Mr Liu Wang and China's first female astronaut Ms Liu Yang, who are visiting Hong Kong, officiated at the opening ceremony of the "Exhibition on China's First Manned Space Docking Mission" at the Hong Kong Science Museum today (August 12).
Other officiating guests at the ceremony were the Deputy Chief Commander of the China Manned Space Engineering Project and Deputy Chief of the General Armaments Department of the People's Liberation Army, Mr Niu Hongguang; the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Ms Hua Jian; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Gang; the Chief Designer of the China Manned Space Engineering Project, Mr Zhou Jianping; the Director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, Mr Wang Zhaoyao; the Vice General Manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Mr Yuan Jie; the Deputy Director of the International Co-operation Department of the General Armaments Department, Mr Shangguan Hui; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung.
The exhibition is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the China Manned Space Engineering Office, in association with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre. It is solely sponsored by the Chen Ningning Culture Fund Company Limited.
Shenzhou-9 blasted off on June 16 and completed its manned space rendezvous and docking mission with the Tiangong-1 orbiter. The three astronauts spent more than 10 days in space and the mission they completed involved the achievement of a number of unprecedented feats, including carrying out China's first-ever manual docking mission, sending China's astronauts into a space station module for the first time, launching China's first female astronaut into space and accomplishing China's longest manned spaceflight. After the success of the mission, China has become the world's third country to possess manned space rendezvous and docking technology, and this marks a huge breakthrough in China's manned space engineering programme.
Introducing the Shenzhou-9 mission and the three participating astronauts, the exhibition features 16 sets of valuable objects, more than 100 photos in relation to Shenzhou-9, a full-size image of the three astronauts as well as documentary videos showing the astronauts conducting a number of experiments, and some fun activities themed around the weightless conditions of Tiangong-1.
The valuable objects on display include the re-entry capsule of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft, which sent the astronauts back to Earth. The capsule is equipped with computer control systems, display panels and astronaut seats, as well as emergency food packs and drinking water. Highlight exhibits also include the Chinese national flag from Tiangong-1. The flag flew into space with the Tiangong-1 target module in 2011 and travelled in orbit for 275 days with Tiangong-1, witnessing the entire process of the first unmanned space docking and first manned space docking missions, and was then taken back by Shenzhou-9 astronauts. Also on display is a docking model of Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-9, which demonstrates how the combined orbiter was formed after the successful docking between the target module Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-9, and how, using the docking channel, astronauts could work and live within the target module and the spacecraft cabin.
In addition, objects relating to Ms Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut, such as her spacesuit, her bicycle ergometer test unit and the Chinese knots she tied in space are also on display. The main parachute of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft, models of Changzheng (Long March) rockets, space food, sanitary bags and emergency life packs for astronauts are also featured.
Visitors to the exhibition will receive a specially produced pamphlet and a sticker. The pamphlet, containing a detailed explanation of the Shenzhou-9 mission and information on the astronauts as well as the manned space docking technology, is available on a first-come, first-served basis while stock lasts.
The 15-day exhibition is open from 2pm today until August 26 at the Hong Kong Science Museum. Admission to this exhibition is free. However, if there is an excessive number of visitors, crowd control measures will be introduced whenever necessary.
In order to enable more visitors to view the exhibition, the museum has brought forward its opening hours for the exhibition period. The exhibition is open from 2pm to 9pm on its first day today, and will be open from 9am to 9pm daily from August 13 to 26. While the "Exhibition on China's First Manned Space Docking Mission" will be open daily, the Hong Kong Science Museum's permanent exhibitions and the "Creatures of the Abyss" special exhibition will not be open during the morning session (9am to 1pm) and on Thursdays (August 16 and 23), the regular closing days of the museum.
Schools and registered non-profit-making organisations can apply for group visits to the exhibition and such visits will be arranged during morning sessions from Monday to Friday. Interested parties can call 2732 3294 between 9.15am and 1pm and 2pm and 5.45pm from Monday to Friday for arrangements.
The Hong Kong Science Museum is located at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon. For further details of the exhibition, please visit the museum's website at hk.science.museum. For enquiries, please call 2732 3232.
Ends/Sunday, August 12, 2012
Issued at HKT 13:00
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