China has achieved another major breakthrough in aerospace exploration with the successful launch of its crewed spacecraft Shenzhou XII, which carried astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo to the country’s space station in low Earth orbit.
For the first time, China’s brand-new space station began manned operation and in-orbit construction, with the three-member crew scheduled to stay for three months onboard. Right now, the space station, designed and built by China on its own, consists of the core module Tianhe, a node module Tianzhou 2 cargo spacecraft, and Shenzhou XII crew spaceship.
The latest space mission is a manifestation of the country’s strength and advancement in aerospace technology, which includes contributions from Hong Kong scientists, and Hong Kong residents should all be proud of this epic achievement
The latest space mission is a manifestation of the country’s strength and advancement in aerospace technology, which includes contributions from Hong Kong scientists, and Hong Kong residents should all be proud of this epic achievement.
Hong Kong has participated in many national space projects over the years and can expect more opportunities, as the national space exploration program is ready to select astronaut candidates from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. To this end, the HKSAR government should devise a plan and incentive policies for participation in space-exploration-related activities, which will fuel Hong Kong’s drive to become an innovation and technology hub.
The success of the Shenzhou XII manned spaceflight marks a new pinnacle in China’s space technology, accomplishing five maiden attempts, including the auto rapid docking of a manned spacecraft to the core module, orbiting and rendezvous with the space station, and protracted orbital berthing. The three astronauts will also perform a robotic arm operation for the Tianhe core module and other extravehicular tasks, which will test key technologies such as the feasibility of a long-term stay for astronauts, bioregenerative life support systems, etc. This will usher in a new era of astronauts living in space for China.
China embarked on its first manned space projects in 2003 with the launch of the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft. Eighteen years on, it has achieved a remarkable leap in aerospace technology in accordance with its plan, from a single astronaut on a one-day mission to multiple astronauts on an extended space mission, from performing in-vehicle tasks to a spacewalk, from short-term sojourns to medium-term stays. Such accomplishments make up a glorious chapter in China’s pursuit of a space dream; they also serve as evidence of China’s rapid development in science and technology, as well as its increasing national strength.
China will launch two space laboratory modules — Wentian and Mengtian — next year. There will also be four cargo spacecraft and four manned spacecraft launches. China is scheduled to complete the construction of its first space station in 2022, marking the advancement in space flight and exploration technology from acquiring experimental capabilities to implementation and development stages. The United Nations/China Cooperation on the Utilization of the China Space Station program jointly conducted by China and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs has completed the selection of the first batch of nine research projects onboard the Tiangong space station from more than 90 proposals submitted by UN member states. Therefore, the space station will truly benefit all mankind. With an open, collaborative and inclusive attitude, China is committed to developing a space station for international space cooperation and exchanges.
Hong Kong residents were joyous and hopeful when China’s manned space program announced its plan to select aspiring astronauts in Hong Kong. In recent interviews, Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China’s manned space project, and Huang Weifen, chief designer of the astronaut system for China’s manned space project, said Hong Kong people would be included in future space missions, and that preparation for the selection process was underway.
Hong Kong has participated in many national space projects. The Camera Pointing System developed by Professor Yung Kai-leung’s team of the Polytechnic University together with their mainland peers was adopted in the Chang’e 3 and Chang’e 4 lunar exploration missions. Hong Kong researchers also developed the Mars Landing Surveillance Camera, a key equipment for China’s ongoing Mars probe Tianwen 1. The opportunity to take part in national space missions will encourage the people of Hong Kong to join the national aerospace industry, which will not only motivate Hong Kong to integrate its own development into the overall national development strategy but also bolster the local innovation and technology industry and enhance the city’s competitiveness.
The author is a current affairs commentator.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.