Young astronauts to depart for training in Beijing (with photos)

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     The send-off ceremony for the ninth Young Astronaut Training Camp was held at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (July 25). Thirty selected local secondary students will set off for Beijing this Sunday (July 30) on an eight-day astronaut training programme and related activities.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said that China's rapid progress in the aerospace industry has been remarkable, and that Hong Kong can take pride in this achievement. He congratulated the candidates chosen for the Young Astronaut Training Camp, and said that the training camp experience would broaden their horizons and give them positive insights into the aerospace industry.

     Other officiating guests included the Division Director of the Education, Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr He Jinhui; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi; 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.

     The recruitment of this year's Young Astronaut Training Camp started in May. After three rounds of selection which included questions on astronomy and space science, a three-day pre-camp and an interview, 30 students out of more than 140 applicants from around 100 local secondary schools were recruited to be the young astronauts.

     The training camp will take place from July 30 to August 6. 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, a "space kitchen" experience, psychological training and blood redistribution adaptability training. Upon completion of the training they will undergo an examination and be presented with certificates.

     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. The training camp is arranged by the Hong Kong Space Museum and sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

     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 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:23

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The send-off ceremony of the ninth Young Astronaut Training Camp was held at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (July 25). Picture shows the Division Director General of the Education, Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr He Jinhui (first left), and the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah (second left), witnessing the oath-taking of the young astronauts. The young astronauts will set off for Beijing this Sunday (July 30).

The send-off ceremony of the ninth Young Astronaut Training Camp was held at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (July 25). Picture shows the young astronauts with the officiating guests (first row, from left), the Vice President of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Mr Kwok Ming-wa; the Division Director General of the Education, Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr He Jinhui; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li, and tutors.