Chau Kei-wai, 16, did not achieve her goal last year of joining a training camp for young would-be astronauts at the facility where the nation's space travellers are trained.
Chau failed the fitness test but she did not give up and spent a year exercising in preparation for this year's selection.
Her perseverance paid off. She was one of 30 Hong Kong youngsters who set off for Beijing yesterday on the seven-day Young Astronaut Training Camp.
'You will succeed if you try hard,' Chau said at a sending-off ceremony at the Hong Kong Space Museum yesterday, presided over by Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing. 'I am very excited about this trip, and want to learn more about astronomy technology.'
The young people will visit major space facilities including the China Academy of Space Technology, Mission Control Hall, Xichang Satellite Launch Centre and the National Observatory.
Their training will include getting in and out of a spacesuit, space kitchen skills, psychological training, escape and survival techniques and blood redistribution adaptability training.
Candidates had to go through three rounds of selections including a quiz and group interview as well as the fitness test that thwarted Chau last year.
