In a first for the University and Hong Kong, HKU alumna Dr Lai Ka-ying was selected to join the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission as a payload specialist. Thrilled HKU students and colleagues gathered at the Jockey Club Student Village IV in Wong Chuk Hang to cheer her on during the lift-off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on May 24, wishing her a safe and successful journey!
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr Lai – who holds Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Systems, MPhil, and PhD (Computer Science) degrees, all from HKU – is participating in the Shenzhou-23 mission as one of its three-member crew alongside Yangzhu Zhu and Zhiyuan Zhang, who have been tasked to carry out more than 100 scientific and applications projects in life sciences, materials science, fluid physics and medicine.
The Shenzhou-23 spacecraft successfully docked at the Tiangong space station on May 25, thus beginning one of the mission projects of a full-year stay in orbit by one of the crew to study the effects of a long stay in microgravity.
Back on Earth, HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang Zhang congratulated Dr Lai, noting that her achievement was a moment of immense pride for HKU and the city, and a testament to the world-class calibre of the University’s talent.
“Ka-ying’s journey from our labs to the stars embodies the perseverance and excellence of both the HKU and Hong Kong spirit,” he said. “Her success serves as a beacon for our students, proving that with dedication, the most ambitious dreams are within reach. We hope Ka-ying’s mission inspires a new generation of Hong Kong scientists to reach for the stars and contribute to our nation’s glorious space odyssey.”
Today, space missions are no longer just about hardware; they are driven by complex algorithms, cybersecurity, and massive data processing. Dr Lai’s academic background and expertise in computer science were critical for her selection as a mission crew member, as they provide the foundational ‘digital architecture’ necessary for a payload specialist.
“Her journey through the rigours of years of studies at HKU prepared her for the extreme demands of astronaut training, where mental fortitude is as critical as technical expertise,” observed Dr Chow Kam-pui, Dr Lai’s PhD supervisor and Honorary Associate Professor, School of Computing and Data Science at HKU. “At HKU, we empower our graduates to apply advanced technology to the most unforgiving environments – proving that HKU’s academic excellence translates from the laboratory to the final frontier of space.”
“I hope Ka-ying’s journey sends a clear message to every student currently working late in our labs: Your research today is the fuel for the national missions of tomorrow,” Dr Chow added.
Beyond talent cultivation, HKU remains steadfast in its dedication to advancing national aerospace initiatives through frontier research. In 2025, HKU established the Hong Kong Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics as an international centre of research excellence, providing a platform for global collaboration and a central hub for astronomers across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
The University’s ongoing contributions to Mars and lunar exploration missions – notably the development of the ‘Short-Wavelength Infrared Spectrometer’ for the Tianwen-3 mission and the pioneering analysis of lunar soil samples from Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6 – underscore HKU’s strategic alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Together, these efforts affirm HKU’s commitment to supporting national efforts to achieve technological self-reliance and the strategic goal of accelerating the nation’s development into a leading aerospace power.
The University looks forward to learning of more stellar accomplishments and discoveries by the Shenzhou-23 crew and to welcoming them back home after a safe and successful mission.
