At least 2 Hong Kong candidates in final round of China’s astronaut selection drive, city’s technology minister reveals
- Technology secretary Sun Dong says elite few in third round of China Manned Space Agency recruitment comprise both local men and women
- Details released mark latest development in unprecedented move by Beijing to recruit payload specialists from Hong Kong and Macau for space programme
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong gave updates on the country’s fourth intake of astronauts on Wednesday, saying: “There are candidates from Hong Kong progressing to the third selection stage, both men and women.”
State representatives would visit the city next month to further evaluate the candidates, Sun added, without revealing how many people had made it through.
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The elite few currently still in the selection pool were among a local batch recommended for the national programme as payload specialists.
The position requires a strong background in science or engineering, and involves overseeing highly complex or classified on-board equipment and tasks such as taking astronautical measurements.
The final results will be announced after the three rounds of selection.
“We look forward to announcing some good news by the end of this year,” Sun said.
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More than 100 people from Hong Kong signed up after Beijing announced in October last year it was recruiting payload specialists from the city. The Hong Kong government shortlisted about 80 people among applicants and recommended them to central authorities.
The country is seeking 14 people, including two payload specialists from Hong Kong and Macau, for its latest astronaut recruitment. The move marks the first time the China Manned Space Agency is accepting candidates from the two cities as payload specialists.
Professor Quentin Parker, director of the University of Hong Kong’s Laboratory for Space Research, said the latest update was “excellent news”.
“I firmly believe that somebody from Hong Kong will be selected … I believe that, because it’s also a political decision, rather than just a decision based on other factors,” said Parker, who is also vice-chairman of the NGO Orion Astropreneur Space Academy.
Parker said the final selection round was usually “very competitive”.
“They will be looking at small differences among the candidates that set them apart,” he said.
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Key elements expected from an ideal candidate for astronaut included mental strength and stability as well as being in good physical condition.
“You need to be able to be sufficiently strong mentally to live in a confined space, with no possibility of immediate escape for months on end … it’s like being in prison in a way,” Parker said.
“Do you have the physical attributes to survive the rigours of space?
“You have to be in an absolute tip-top physical condition, with no underlying physical illnesses, or problems, which could affect your ability to stay in space for months.”
He said ideal candidates would also need to excel in manual dexterity to manipulate equipment in a zero-gravity environment.
Professor William Wong Kam-fai, associate dean of Chinese University’s engineering faculty, said having Hongkongers in the final selection round was encouraging news.
“It shows that Hong Kong’s technology education is on a par with the national level. It is encouraging news to see that there are candidates selected from a small city,” Wong said.
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He said that as payload specialists were expected to conduct experiments in space, he believed candidates would be tested to see if they were physically fit enough to do them in a different environment.
“They might be put in a simulated environment, such as with rigorously shaking conditions, or with low air pressure,” he said.
