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The send-off ceremony of the sixth Young Astronaut Training Camp was held at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (July 31). Thirty selected local secondary students will set off for Beijing on a nine-day space training programme.
The training camp is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and co-organised by the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre.
Officiating at the send-off ceremony were the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; the Deputy Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Liu Zhiming; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Charles Yeung; the Vice-President of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Mr Kwok Ming-wa; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tsang said the LCSD and the China Astronaut Research and Training Center have, for the sixth year, jointly organised the Young Astronaut Training Camp. He noted that it was encouraging to see participants, over the past five years, not only acquiring knowledge in cosmological science and space technology, but also meeting Chinese space experts and astronauts to share their invaluable experience.
Mr Tsang said, "China has made great progress in its space technology. Last June, the successful launch of the Shenzhou 10 manned spaceflight and the debut teaching activities held in space marked new milestones in China's manned space development. Last December, China began its ground exploration on the lunar surface with the successful landing of Chang'e-3 with its lander and lunar rover. This is another remarkable achievement in the space technology of China."
This year's Young Astronaut Training Camp started recruitment in May and received an overwhelming response from schools. A total of 200 students nominated by 129 schools applied for the training camp. After three rounds of selection, which included a quiz on astronomy and space science, a three-day pre-camp and an interview, 30 students were selected to be young astronauts.
The training camp will take place from August 2 to 10. Participants will visit major space facilities and will be taught basic space science and technology and undergo astronaut training, including making rocket models, putting on and taking off a spacesuit, psychological training, escape and survival training and blood redistribution adaptability training. After completion of the training, they will take an examination and be presented with certificates.
For details of the training camp, please visit the webpage on the Hong Kong Space Museum's website at www.yatc.hk.space.museum (Chinese only) or call 2734 2711.
Ends/Thursday, July 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:05
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