Shenzhou-23 launches Hong Kong's first astronaut Lai Ka-ying to space
A Hong Kong police superintendent is now China's latest space pioneer.
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China's Shenzhou-23 mission lifted off Sunday night from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu province, carrying a three-person crew that includes Hong Kong's first astronaut. The Long March-2F rocket blasted off at 11:08pm local time, sending massive clouds of sand into the sky. Mission control declared the launch a success approximately 20 minutes after lift-off, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
Lai Ka-ying, a Hong Kong police superintendent and technology specialist, serves as the payload specialist on this mission — a historic first for Hong Kong. During the live broadcast on state broadcaster CCTV, Lai's first words to the command center were 'feeling good'. One of the three crew members is scheduled to spend a full year aboard the Chinese space station, marking another milestone in China's growing human spaceflight program. The mission underscores China's expanding space ambitions and its integration of Hong Kong into national technological initiatives.
- Lai Ka-ying, a Hong Kong police superintendent and tech specialist, becomes the territory's first astronaut on Shenzhou-23.
- The Long March-2F rocket launched from Jiuquan at 11:08pm local time, with mission control confirming success after 20 minutes.
- One of the three crew members is expected to spend one year in space, a record duration for China's program.
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's inclusion in China's space program signals deeper tech integration and new professional opportunities for the region.