Hong Kong News
Nonpartisan, Noncommercial, unconstrained.
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Real, Diverse, Unbiased.
HKU students 'have edge' in race to space
Those studying in the University of Hong Kong may have advantages in the race to join the nation's space program, despite fierce competition from aspiring astronauts in the mainland, says astronomer Sun Kwok, who leads HKU's laboratory for space research.
Kwok's comments came after it was announced that Hongkongers will be eligible to join the nation's space missions in the future. Two payload specialists - engineers who conduct experiments and tests in space - will be recruited from Hong Kong and Macau.
From today until October 27, applications will be open to candidates from 11 local universities, five public research centers, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, research institutions in Cyberport and Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, government departments and the Hospital Authority.
Kwok said HKU has extensive connections in the international aerospace community, meaning its students, especially those at the laboratory for space research, would benefit from an "international perspective."
He said Hong Kong has "very smart" students who are qualified, but stressed they would need to undergo training to meet rigorous physical and psychological requirements.
"We have to not only consider their educational and technical background, but also their psychological and physiological condition - being able to respond to a complex situation," Kwok said, adding that screening would take a variety of factors into consideration.
Separately, Wong Kam-fai, a professor from the systems engineering and engineering management department of Chinese University, said he expects strict background checks of applicants as space missions typically involve state secrets.
The selection requirements for Hong Kong and Macau prospects state that applicants and family members should love their motherland, support the one country, two systems policy and have no criminal record.
"Everyone can imagine ... the requirements must be very strict. It would be unreasonable to allow foreign nationals or people who don't love the motherland to participate in such an activity," he said.
Applicants must be Chinese nationals who are permanent residents of Hong Kong and they must hold a doctoral degree with at least three years of professional experience.
They must be 30 to 45 years old and be in peak physical condition, with men at 162 centimeters to 175cm tall and women 160cm to 175cm.
Short-listed candidates will be sent to the mainland for further screening and training. The program will be subsidized by the Hong Kong government.
From today until October 27, applications will be open to candidates from 11 local universities, five public research centers, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, research institutions in Cyberport and Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, government departments and the Hospital Authority.
Kwok said HKU has extensive connections in the international aerospace community, meaning its students, especially those at the laboratory for space research, would benefit from an "international perspective."
He said Hong Kong has "very smart" students who are qualified, but stressed they would need to undergo training to meet rigorous physical and psychological requirements.
"We have to not only consider their educational and technical background, but also their psychological and physiological condition - being able to respond to a complex situation," Kwok said, adding that screening would take a variety of factors into consideration.
Separately, Wong Kam-fai, a professor from the systems engineering and engineering management department of Chinese University, said he expects strict background checks of applicants as space missions typically involve state secrets.
The selection requirements for Hong Kong and Macau prospects state that applicants and family members should love their motherland, support the one country, two systems policy and have no criminal record.
"Everyone can imagine ... the requirements must be very strict. It would be unreasonable to allow foreign nationals or people who don't love the motherland to participate in such an activity," he said.
Applicants must be Chinese nationals who are permanent residents of Hong Kong and they must hold a doctoral degree with at least three years of professional experience.
They must be 30 to 45 years old and be in peak physical condition, with men at 162 centimeters to 175cm tall and women 160cm to 175cm.
Short-listed candidates will be sent to the mainland for further screening and training. The program will be subsidized by the Hong Kong government.
