Shenzhou-23 mission

Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, traveled to space as part of China’s Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station, marking a historic milestone for the city and its role in China’s scientific ambitions.

Hong Kong sent its first astronaut into space, and experts at the Global Prosperity Summit 2026 highlighted the city's potential to contribute to aerospace development through professional services. The summit emphasized emerging opportunities in the aerospace economy as Lai Ka-ying joined the Shenzhou-23 mission to China's Tiangong space station.

Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, is set to join the Shenzhou-23 mission to China’s Tiangong space station. Experts at the Global Prosperity Summit 2026 highlighted Hong Kong’s potential to contribute to aerospace development through professional services and emerging opportunities in the aerospace economy.

Beijing praised Hong Kong's first astronaut's inclusion in the Shenzhou-23 mission as a success of the 'one country, two systems' policy, aiming to inspire youth to contribute to China's technological growth. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the mission's success and expressed hopes for broader participation from Hong Kong.

Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong's first astronaut and China's first female payload specialist, has triggered a significant increase in aerospace and satellite-design course inquiries. Industry leaders are advocating for immersive education facilities to meet growing demand.

Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, successfully launched into space on China’s Shenzhou-23 mission via a Long March-2F rocket from Jiuquan. The China Manned Space Agency reported the launch as successful.

Hongkongers attended a send-off ceremony in Jiuquan to celebrate the Shenzhou-23 mission, praising Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong's first astronaut, as a source of inspiration. The event featured cheers for astronauts Lai, Zhu Yangzhu, and Zhang Zhiyuan before they traveled to the Gobi Desert launch site.

Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong's first astronaut, overcame challenges like motion sickness and academic mediocrity to join China's Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station. Her determination and 'let’s give it a try' attitude enabled her to complete rigorous training despite personal obstacles.

Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, will join the Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station as a payload specialist. She is a police chief inspector and tech expert with a doctorate in computer science and will become the fourth female astronaut in the Chinese space station.