The nomination for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s Young Astronaut Training Camp 2026 will open for local secondary schools starting from tomorrow (March 3) until March 31. Launched in 2009, the training camp has entered its 15th edition. Selected participants will experience astronaut training on the Chinese Mainland free of charge this summer to learn about space science and astronomy, as well as the development and achievements of space technology in China.
         
     The training camp will run from July 23 to 31. During the nine-day training camp, participants will visit Beijing, Jiuquan and Xi'an. The itinerary includes visiting various key aerospace and astronomy facilities such as the Beijing Aerospace City, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and the Xinglong Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatories. In addition, participants will experience astronaut training activities and have a chance to engage with astronauts and aerospace experts to learn about their unwavering dedication and pioneering spirit.
         
     The quota for the training camp is 30. Candidates must be local full-time students currently enrolled in Secondary Two to Secondary Six for the 2025/26 academic year, aged 12 or above, and be nominated by their respective schools. Each school can nominate two students at most. There will be three rounds of selection - a quiz, a pre-camp training and an interview. Candidates with outstanding performance will be selected to join the camp. The Hong Kong Space Museum (HKSpM) will hold a briefing session on the afternoon of March 17 (Tuesday). For more details, please visit the HKSpM website at hk.space.museum/en/web/spm/activities/yatc.html.
         
     The training camp is jointly presented by the LCSD and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in association with the China Space Foundation and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre. The training camp is organised by the HKSpM and sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
                     
     The camp is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.ccpo.gov.hk/en.

Ends/Monday, March 2, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:52

NNNN