24/7 Space News
DRAGON SPACE
China Manned Space Agency Delegation Highlights SARs' Role in Space Program
A high-definition image of the Tiangong space station taken by the crew of Shenzhou XVI on Oct 30 was released on Tuesday in Hong Kong.
Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025
China Manned Space Agency Delegation Highlights SARs' Role in Space Program
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 29, 2023

In a significant acknowledgment of regional contributions to national space efforts, a delegation from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), led by Deputy Director Lin Xiqiang, praised the involvement of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs) in China's space programs. The delegation, which included key astronauts from recent Shenzhou missions to the Tiangong space station, made these remarks during their four-day visit to Hong Kong, highlighting the potential for greater contributions from these regions.

During a news conference, Lin Xiqiang emphasized the support of President Xi Jinping and the central government for the scientific and technological endeavors of Hong Kong and Macao. This support is seen as integral to the broader strategy of involving different regions in the nation's ambitious space program.

The delegation comprised astronauts who have been instrumental in constructing the Tiangong space station, such as Liu Boming from Shenzhou XII, Wang Yaping from Shenzhou XIII, Chen Dong from Shenzhou XIV, and Zhang Lu from Shenzhou XV. Their presence in Hong Kong signifies the importance of the SARs in China's space narrative.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, hosting a welcoming banquet for the delegates, expressed pride in the nation's manned space program achievements over the past 30 years. He encouraged Hong Kong's youth to draw inspiration from the perseverance and skills of the astronauts and experts present.

Highlighting the educational and inspirational aspects of space exploration, photographs of the Tiangong space station, captured by the Shenzhou XVI crew using a high-definition camera, were showcased. These images, marking the first time China has obtained full views of its operational space station with Earth in the background, were revealed at the media briefing, underscoring the technological advancements in China's space program.

Lin noted the increasing depth and breadth of participation from the SARs in space development. He referenced the successful experiments designed by Hong Kong's secondary school students carried out during the Shenzhou XI mission and the involvement of experts from Hong Kong and Macao in significant projects like the manned lunar rover.

Importantly, some candidates from Hong Kong and Macao are nearing the final stages of selection as payload specialists, a move that could soon see astronauts from these regions aboard the Tiangong space station. This prospect resonates with the national sentiment of inclusivity in China's space endeavors.

Astronaut Chen Dong, replying to a letter from a Hong Kong middle school student, described the Tiangong space station as "the home of Chinese people in space," open to experts from Hong Kong and Macao. His response reflects the broader goal of fostering a sense of national unity and pride through space exploration.

Wang Yaping, noted for being the nation's first female astronaut to conduct a spacewalk, shared her interactions with students, including one from Hong Kong who inquired about water recycling in space. Such interactions highlight the role of astronauts in igniting aerospace passion in young minds, with Wang expressing eagerness to welcome students from Hong Kong and Macao to China's aerospace team.

In conclusion, the visit of the CMSA delegation and the accompanying astronauts to Hong Kong not only underscores the SARs' growing role in China's space program but also serves as a conduit for inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts and professionals in these regions. This visit reinforces the national agenda of scientific advancement and fosters a sense of collective achievement in space exploration.

Related Links
China National Space Agency
The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology
China News from SinoDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
DRAGON SPACE
Wenchang Set to Become China's Premier Commercial Space Launch Hub by Next Year
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 28, 2023
Wenchang, a city in South China's Hainan province, is rapidly establishing itself as the forefront of China's burgeoning commercial space industry. The city, known for the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, is advancing towards becoming the nation's first dedicated hub for commercial space launches, aiming to commence regular operations by the next year. This significant development was announced at the 2023 Wenchang International Aviation and Aerospace Forum. Liu Chong, mayor of Wenchang and direct ... read more

DRAGON SPACE
NASA awards $2.3 million to study growing food in lunar dust

Earth bacteria could make lunar soil more habitable for plants

Big bang: Dutch firm eyes space baby

Cosmic currents: Preserving water quality for astronauts during space exploration

DRAGON SPACE
Boosting rocket reliability at the material level

Firefly Aerospace completes first Miranda Engine hot fire test

First launch of Europe's Ariane 6 rocket planned for mid-2024

UK Space Agency backs Orbit Fab's innovative refueling interface, GRASP

DRAGON SPACE
Perseverance's Parking Spot

NASA uses two worlds to test future Mars helicopter designs

California lawmakers ask NASA not to cut Mars budget

Spacecraft fall silent as Mars disappears behind the Sun

DRAGON SPACE
Wenchang Set to Become China's Premier Commercial Space Launch Hub by Next Year

China Manned Space Agency Delegation Highlights SARs' Role in Space Program

Shanghai Sets Sights on Expanding Space Industry with Ambitious 2025 Goals

China's BeiDou and Fengyun Satellites Elevate Global Weather Forecasting Capabilities

DRAGON SPACE
Embry-Riddle's Innovative Mission Control Lab prepares students for booming space sector

A major boost for space skills and research in North East England

GalaxySpace to boost mobile broadband with new-gen satellite technology

SpaceX launches more Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral

DRAGON SPACE
Tackling the Growing Challenge of Space Debris

Lockheed Martin aims for rapid on-orbit operations with Electronically Steerable Antenna

Six recycling innovations that could change fashion

Map highlights environmental and social costs of rare earths extraction

DRAGON SPACE
Minimalist or maximalist? The life of a microbe a mile underground

Deformable Mirrors in Space: Key Technology to Directly Image Earth Twins

Hubble measures the size of the nearest transiting Earth-sized planet

Webb detects water vapor, sulfur dioxide and sand clouds in the atmosphere of a nearby exoplanet

DRAGON SPACE
Juice burns hard towards first-ever Earth-Moon flyby

Fall into an ice giant's atmosphere

Juno finds Jupiter's winds penetrate in cylindrical layers

Salts and organics observed on Ganymede's surface by June

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.