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The send-off ceremony of the seventh Young Astronaut Training Camp was held at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (July 28). Thirty selected local secondary school students will set off for Beijing on an eight-day space training programme this Friday (July 31).
The training camp is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in association with the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre. It is also sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and implemented by the Hong Kong Space Museum.
Officiating at the send-off ceremony were the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah; the Division Director of the Department of Educational Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Wu Zhaosheng; the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Mr Lawrence Ma; the Vice-President of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Mr Kwok Ming-wa; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lau said that China has made great progress in its space technology. Last November, the test vehicle of the Chang'e mission entered the lunar orbit and returned to Earth with a successful landing, which marked a significant step in the Chinese lunar programme.
Mr Lau said, "During the eight-day programme, participants can experience astronaut training, and meet Chinese space experts and astronauts to learn to face challenges and to cultivate perseverance. I believe that the space training programme will surely inspire the participants and enlighten their learning experience and personal growth."
This year's Young Astronaut Training Camp started recruitment in May and received an overwhelming response from schools. More than 200 students nominated by 125 schools applied for the training camp. After three rounds of selection, which included a quiz on astronomy and space science, a three-day pre-camp and an interview, 30 students were selected to be young astronauts.
The training camp will take place from July 31 to August 7. Participants will visit major space and astronomy facilities and attend lectures on space science and technology. They will also participate in astronaut training including the wearing of spacesuits, psychological training, escape and survival training and blood redistribution adaptability training. Upon completion of the training, they will undergo an examination and be presented with certificates.
For details of the training camp, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Space Museum at www.yatc.hk.space.museum or call 2734 2711.
Ends/Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:30
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