China moon landing scientists at Hong Kong Polytechnic University urge youngsters to join hi-tech revolution with career in manufacturing
- Innovation and technology are the next big thing, professors say
Scientists at Hong Kong Polytechnic University involved in China’s latest moon landing have urged young people planning their futures to ride on the coattails of the city’s aspirations for reindustrialisation and innovation.
Manufacturing was no longer a dirty job with the industry moving towards hi-tech production, the researchers said, and Hong Kong youngsters should consider a career in the sector to contribute to the country’s success.
Professor Yung Kai-leung and his team let out a sigh of relief on January 3 when the Chang’e 4 robotic probe achieved the first soft touchdown on the far side of the moon. Their multi-axis camera pointing system installed on the spacecraft was functioning properly.
“There were a lot of uncertainties and challenges. We did not know if it would work until the minute we got the pictures back,” said Yung, associate head of the university’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
“Even though the system had been functioning in our laboratories, it did not mean it would react in the same way in outer space, since it was exposed to extreme temperatures and a high vacuum environment. Therefore accuracy was key.”