China Launches Shenzhou-23, First Hong Kong Astronaut to Ascend

Central News Agency, Beijing, 24th. China will launch the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft tonight. Among the three astronauts is Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut from Hong Kong. The flight crew will stay in orbit for approximately six months and conduct over 100 space science experiments. According to CCTV News and Sing Tao Daily, the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft is scheduled to launch at 11:08 PM on the 24th. The list of astronauts for this mission was officially announced yesterday morning. Among them, Lai Ka-ying from Hong Kong is a payload specialist; she is the first astronaut from Hong Kong and the fourth female astronaut in China. Lai is a female Chief Inspector in the police force, holds a doctorate, and specializes in information technology and computer science. She has worked in special departments since joining the police. In 2022, when China selected its fourth batch of reserve astronauts, it announced for the first time the selection of payload specialists in the Hong Kong and Macau regions. A 'payload specialist' refers to an astronaut who conducts experiments in a space laboratory, including astronomical observations and physical experiments. The Shenzhou-23 flight crew will stay in orbit for about six months and conduct over 100 space science experiments, covering frontier fields such as life sciences, materials science, and aerospace medicine.