Hong Kong could host the Shenzhou-23 mission crew, including its first homegrown payload specialist, by the first half of next year, the city's technology chief revealed Sunday. Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong made the announcement, signaling a milestone for the territory's space ambitions.
The visit would mark a historic moment for Hong Kong, as Lai Ka-ying represents the city's first astronaut to serve on a Chinese space mission. This development underscores Beijing's efforts to integrate Hong Kong more deeply into its national space program.
The government also plans to establish a new space manufacturing research centre under the InnoHK program by this year, Sun Dong said. The facility will focus on leveraging 3D printing and artificial intelligence to support future space development.
This initiative positions Hong Kong as a potential hub for advanced space technologies, potentially attracting investment and talent. The center's work could accelerate China's broader space ambitions, particularly in manufacturing components for long-duration missions.
Details on Lai's specific role aboard Shenzhou-23 remain sparse, as the mission is still in planning stages. The timeline for the crew's visit could shift depending on mission readiness.