The University of Hong Kong (HKU) extends its warmest congratulations to alumna Dr Lai Ka-ying on her being selected as a crew member of the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission. As the first Hong Kong payload specialist to journey into orbit, her mission marks a new chapter of deep participation by Hong Kong’s scientific community in the national space programmes.

Dr Lai Ka-ying. Credit: Xinhua News Agency

On launch night, the HKU community came together to witness Dr Lai’s triumphant ascent as she embarked on this historic space journey. We were thrilled by the successful launch of the Shenzhou-23 mission, and wish Dr Lai a safe and victorious return!

HKU members gather to watch the livestream of the Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft launch

Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, remarked, “On behalf of the University, I extend my most heartfelt congratulations to our alumna, Dr Lai Ka-ying, on being the first Hong Kong payload specialist to join the national Shenzhou mission. Her achievement is a moment of immense pride for the entire HKU community and the city, and a testament to the world-class calibre of our talent. Ka-ying’s journey from our labs to the stars embodies the perseverance and excellence of both the HKU and Hong Kong spirit. Her success serves as a beacon for our students, proving that with dedication, the most ambitious dreams are within reach. We hope Ka-ying’s mission inspires a new generation of Hong Kong scientists to reach for the stars and contribute to our nation’s glorious space odyssey."        

As the Shenzhou-23 crew embarks on their mission, HKU remains dedicated to supporting national efforts to achieve technological self-reliance and driving excellence in deep space exploration.