Hong Kong and Macau media celebrated the launch of Hong Kong's first astronaut, Li Jiaying, on the Shenzhou-23 mission, viewing it as a new starting point for Hong Kong's deep integration into national development and a catalyst for nurturing future tech talent.
China launched the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft atop a Long March-2F rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. The mission, commanded by Zhu Yangzhu, aims for space exploration, with a Hong Kong government delegation attending the send-off.
Hong Kong celebrated the historic launch of the Shenzhou-23 space mission, featuring the city's first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying. The mission, carrying Lai as payload specialist, launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre.
Hong Kong erupted in cheers Sunday night as Lai Ka-ying, the city's first astronaut, launched into space aboard the Shenzhou-23 mission. Lai, a police superintendent and mother of three, is the fourth Chinese woman and first female payload specialist to go into space.
Hong Kong's leader John Lee has video-called the city's first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, ahead of the Shenzhou-23 space flight, calling her participation a reflection of national trust and support for Hong Kong. Lai, a police superintendent with a doctorate in computer science, expressed confidence in completing her mission after rigorous training.
Two Pakistani astronauts, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, are undergoing joint training with Chinese astronauts at the Astronaut Research and Training Center for a future space mission. One will serve as a payload specialist on a short-term flight to the Chinese space station.
The Shenzhou 23 crew met with media at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Commander Zhu Yangzhu announced that astronauts from the third and fourth batches will appear in space simultaneously, marking the first time a Hong Kong compatriot will fly to space, symbolizing national pride and the Chinese Dream.
Hong Kong researcher Lai Ka-ying will join China's Shenzhou-23 space flight to the Tiangong space station. Chief Executive John Lee praised her participation as a testament to Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent.
A press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center announced that one astronaut from the Shenzhou 23 crew will undertake a one-year space mission. This mission aims to conduct China's first in-space human research program, test long-term health support capabilities, and provide extended research opportunities.
China and Europe have launched SMILE, their first jointly developed satellite, to study Earth’s magnetic environment and the mechanism that protects the planet from solar wind.
President Trump expressed confidence in NASA's ability to land astronauts on the Moon before his potential second term ends in 2029. He met with the Artemis II crew at the White House, celebrating their recent deep-space mission. This comes as NASA targets a crewed lunar landing in 2028, though development timelines for landers remain a concern.
China has selected Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud as Pakistan's first astronauts to train for a mission to China's Tiangong space station this year. The China Manned Space Agency announced the astronauts will soon arrive in China for training, calling it a milestone in international cooperation and a demonstration of China's commitment to sharing its space development with the international community.
