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Hong Kong has seen its first astronaut fly into space on China’s Shenzhou-23 spacecraft as a payload specialist. The historic feat was achieved by Lai Ka-ying, a 43-year-old police superintendent, doctorate holder and mother of three.
Lai’s flight on Sunday has also made her the fourth Chinese female astronaut to travel to space and the first woman payload specialist.
Although her name was not officially confirmed until a day before her flight, Lai’s journey to space began in 2022, when mainland authorities announced an unprecedented recruitment drive in Hong Kong and Macau for two positions of payload specialists - astronauts who focus on operating payloads such as experiment equipment.
Lai, who has a doctorate in computer science from the University of Hong Kong and has served in the Hong Kong Police Force’s covert Technical Services Division, was chosen from among over 120 applicants.
With all eyes on her debut as Hong Kong’s first astronaut last week, Lai entered the public eye confident and with a bright smile. “To me, having grown up in Hong Kong, the Lion Rock spirit has been etched in my heart. This resilient, never-give-up spirit shares commonality with the spirit of the manned space programme,” Lai said in Mandarin at a press conference ahead of her spaceflight.
Behind her impeccable credentials, Lai’s elder sister and former teachers described her as a meticulous, patient, diligent and cheerful person.
Lai’s elder sister, Lai Ka-man, told mainland media that her accomplished younger sister had given herself the moniker “big bee”, as she enjoyed working hard and being part of a team.
Leaving her family behind was the toughest part of Lai’s space journey, her elder sister added. “I have no doubt she can overcome any challenge,” the elder Lai said.
Chow Kam-pui, an honorary associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, recalled Lai as a bright student who could think independently and explain complicated concepts to a lay audience. Lai was so promising that Chow had recommended she become an expert witness for a criminal trial involving a Ponzi scheme before she had even graduated.
“I am confident that when she participates in space missions or experiments, the chances of her making mistakes are low,” the academic said.
Lai’s secondary school teacher, Tse Yun-ming of Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College, recalled that she was not the most academically gifted, but had “tremendous perseverance”.
Her warmth also left a mark on her teacher.
“When I became headmaster of the school, she visited with her husband. She cared much for those around her. Her husband was also one of our students,” he said.
Signing off,
Jess Ma
Reporter, Hong Kong
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