Hong Kong’s first astronaut, selected last year to join China’s national space programme, could undertake their inaugural space mission as early as 2026, according to a senior official from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, CMSA Deputy Director General Lin Xiqiang provided an update on the progress of the fourth batch of preparatory astronauts, which includes payload specialists from both Hong Kong and Macau for the first time.
“Since the fourth batch of astronauts joined the team in August 2024, they have carried out a great deal of training according to the plan,” Lin stated, mentioning areas like basic space flight theory, psychology, and space environment adaptability.
He specifically highlighted the smooth integration of the astronauts from the Special Administrative Regions.
“After joining the team, the Hong Kong and Macau astronauts have quickly adapted to the working and living environment, rapidly integrated into the crew and trained very hard,” Lin said.
Crucially, Lin provided a timeline for their potential deployment: “As payload experts, the Hong Kong and Macau astronauts are expected to carry out their first mission in 2026 at the earliest.”
The selection process began in October 2022 when the CMSA announced it was recruiting payload specialists, extending the opportunity to Hong Kong and Macau. This role requires a strong background in science or engineering to manage complex onboard equipment and experiments. Hong Kong authorities received 120 applications during the initial drive.
In June 2024, it was confirmed that one candidate from Hong Kong and one from Macau were among the 10 individuals chosen for the fourth astronaut intake. While the identity of the Hong Kong astronaut has not been officially released, previous media reports suggested the successful candidate was a female chief inspector in the police force holding a doctorate, who formerly worked in the force’s technical services division and had been seconded to the Security Bureau.
The press conference also served to announce details of the upcoming Shenzhou-20 mission, scheduled to launch from Jiuquan on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Its objectives include crew rotation, conducting space science experiments, and performing extravehicular activities (spacewalks).
The prospect of a Hong Kong astronaut flying to space marks a significant milestone, highlighting the city’s integration into the national aerospace ambitions and the opportunities available for its scientific talent.
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