Hong Kong astronauts? Technology chief expects fierce competition for national space programme role in first-ever recruitment drive
- Beijing announces its space agency will extend recruitment for 14 astronauts, including two payload specialists, to Hong Kong and Macau
- Local experts says city’s postdoctoral researchers can contribute with their expertise in biomedicine and artificial intelligence
Hong Kong’s technology minister has said he expects intense competition in the city among those fighting for a spot on a national space programme, while scholars suggest that local researchers can contribute with their expertise in biomedicine and artificial intelligence.
Beijing announced on Sunday that its space agency had for the first time extended recruitment for two payload specialists to Hong Kong and Macau, with a three-week local application process starting on Thursday.
Sun Dong, secretary for innovation, technology and industry, said on Monday that the manned space programme would pick two payload specialists from across the country, including Hong Kong, and that competition would be “fierce”.
“This is the first national selection of payload specialists in Hong Kong. The competition should be fierce. We hope all eligible young people can sign up actively,” Sun told a radio programme.
“We hope that we will have as many applicants as we can. As long as we have recommended a sufficient number of candidates, I think we stand a chance in the selection,” he said, adding it would be the city’s “pride”.
A payload expert is a scientist or engineer who manages highly complex or classified on-board equipment and carries out scientific activities such as astronautical measurements.
Sun estimated that the city had tens of thousands of potential applicants in the field, but only some would be eligible, adding this elite group would be recommended to mainland Chinese authorities for screening.