Wang Haoze, China's only female spaceflight engineer, is set to join the Shenzhou-19 mission to the Tiangong space station, scheduled for launch on October 30, 2024, at 4:27 am local time (2027 GMT October 29). This mission marks a significant milestone as Wang will become the third Chinese woman to participate in a crewed space mission. The Shenzhou-19 mission is led by Cai Xuzhe, a 48-year-old former air force pilot who previously served on the Tiangong during the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022. The current crew aboard Tiangong is expected to return to Earth on November 4, 2024. China's ambitious space program aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030, showcasing the country's commitment to advancing its capabilities in space exploration. [64394061]
In a related development, Liu Yang, China's first woman in space, has been actively encouraging young Hongkongers to pursue their dreams in aerospace. She believes that the vastness of space offers endless possibilities for the Chinese people. To support this vision, an aerospace science education center has been established in Hong Kong, a collaboration between the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers and the Chinese Society of Astronautics. This center aims to educate the public about China's space achievements and inspire the next generation of innovators. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has emphasized the importance of nurturing talent in innovation and technology, with plans to integrate aerospace topics into the primary school science curriculum. [98088272]
Additionally, the Hong Kong government is providing targeted funding to support local research teams involved in national space missions. This initiative comes as the first Hongkonger prepares to begin training as a payload specialist in China's space program. The selection process for astronauts included a three-week recruitment drive, narrowing down 120 applications to 40 candidates for consideration by the national space agency. The government is also enhancing cybersecurity measures across sectors, appointing dedicated officers to oversee these initiatives. Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong expressed confidence in transforming Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology center. [5462fd25]