A send-off ceremony for the 11th Young Astronaut Training Camp was held at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (July 16). Thirty selected local secondary students will set off for Beijing on July 27 on a nine-day astronaut training programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said that the Young Astronaut Training Camp has been organised annually by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department since 2009. The selected candidates will be able to experience astronaut training and meet aerospace experts and astronauts to learn about their persistence and indomitable spirit. He expressed the hope that the participants can seize the rare opportunity and be proactive in learning in order to broaden their knowledge and horizons as well as make contributions to society in the future.
Recruitment for this year's Young Astronaut Training Camp started in May. After three selection rounds, which included questions on astronomy and space science, a three-day pre-camp trial and an interview, 30 students were chosen out of more than 160 applicants from around 100 local secondary schools.
The training camp will take place from July 27 to August 4. 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.
Other officiating guests included the Deputy Director-General 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, Dr Liu Jianfeng; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi; the Head of the Division of Academic and Training of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Dr Zou Chonghua; and the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Ida Lee.
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.
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