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All local secondary schools can now nominate students to join the Young Astronaut Training Camp until the call ends on May 31. The Young Astronaut Training Camp is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre, and the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, in association with The Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre. It is sponsored by The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, and implemented by the Hong Kong Space Museum.
The Curator of the Space Museum, Mr Chan Ki-hung, noted that following the success of the first Young Astronaut Training Camp held last year, the organisers join again this year to run the training camp, aiming to provide an opportunity for secondary school students to appreciate China's remarkable achievements in space technology, motivate and educate them in astronomy and space science, and undergo Chinese astronaut training.
"It is planned to run the seven-day training camp between late July and early August in Beijing. The quota is limited to 30. Candidates should be full-time secondary school students aged 12 or above and be nominated by their school. Each school can nominate no more than two students for selection," Mr Chan said.
Regarding the selection criteria, Mr Chan said that the candidates should be 1.4 to 1.75 metres in height and in good health, independent, extrovert, confident and interested in space science. Those with proficiency in Putonghua will be given priority.
He added, "There will be three rounds of selection including a quiz, fitness test, communication skills and overall performance assessment. Those who perform well in these areas will be selected to be the young astronauts."
Participants of the Young Astronaut Training Camp will be able to visit major space facilities in China including the China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Centre, the National Astronomical Observatories, and Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. They will be taught basic space science and technology, and undergo training for astronauts, including donning and doffing of a spacesuit, space kitchen, psychological training, escape and survival training and blood redistribution adaptability training. After completion of the training, they will be given an examination and presented with certificates.
For details of the training camp, please visit the museum's website at hk.space.museum or call 2721 0226.
Ends/Saturday, May 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:00
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