Hong Kong's first astronaut Lai Ka-ying joins Shenzhou-23 mission
Synopsis
Hong Kong police chief inspector and computer science PhD Lai Ka-ying will become the territory's first astronaut when Shenzhou-23 lifts off on 24 May 2026 — a milestone that signals China's deliberate integration of Hong Kong's research talent into its national space programme.
Key Takeaways
Lai Ka-ying , a Hong Kong police chief inspector with a doctorate in computer science, is named payload specialist on the Shenzhou-23 mission.
The spacecraft is targeting launch at 23:08 on 24 May 2026 from Jiuquan .
Lai completed 1,700 training hours after joining the programme in August 2024 , according to agency spokesman Zhang Jingbo .
She will be the fourth female astronaut to enter the Tiangong space station and is recognised as China 's first female payload expert.
Her crewmates are mission commander Zhu Yangzhu (a Shenzhou-16 veteran) and first-timer Zhang Zhiyuan .
The payload specialist slots in China 's fourth astronaut batch were specifically reserved for candidates from Hong Kong and Macau .
Lai Ka-ying, a Hong Kong police chief inspector and computer science doctorate holder, has been named as a payload specialist on the Shenzhou-23 crewed mission to the Tiangong space station — making her Hong Kong's first-ever astronaut. The China Manned Space Agency made the announcement on Saturday, 23 May 2026, with the spacecraft targeting liftoff at 23:08 on 24 May 2026 from Jiuquan.
Who is Lai Ka-ying?
Lai Ka-ying is a serving police chief inspector and tech expert who holds a doctorate in computer science. She was selected for astronaut training in 2024 as part of China's fourth batch of astronaut candidates — a cohort of 10 individuals comprising eight pilots and two payload specialists. The payload specialist slots were reserved for candidates from the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, with Lai representing the former.
According to the agency, she is also recognised as China's first female payload expert, and will become the fourth female astronaut to enter the Chinese space station upon docking.
Mission crew and roles
Lai will fly alongside mission commander Zhu Yangzhu and fellow first-timer Zhang Zhiyuan. Zhu previously served aboard Shenzhou-16, bringing veteran experience to the crew. Both Lai and Zhang are making their debut spaceflight on this mission.
Training milestone
Zhang Jingbo, spokesman of the China Manned Space Agency, confirmed that Lai 'joined the team in August 2024 … and completed 1,700 training hours, passing the flight qualification assessment with flying colours,' adding that she 'has met all requirements and is in good shape.' The intensive preparation underscores the rigour applied to non-pilot payload candidates drawn from civilian and professional backgrounds.
Why it matters for Hong Kong
Zhang Jingbo also noted that 'universities and research institutes in Hong Kong have been working closely with national research teams,' signalling that the territory's inclusion in the space programme is part of a deliberate strategy to integrate Hong Kong's research capabilities into national space science efforts. The selection marks a symbolic and institutional deepening of Hong Kong's role within China's broader space ambitions.
What's next
If the launch proceeds as scheduled on 24 May 2026, Lai Ka-ying will conduct payload science experiments aboard Tiangong alongside her crewmates. Her mission is expected to draw significant attention to the pipeline of civilian and specialist astronauts that China is cultivating ahead of its planned lunar exploration milestones later this decade.
Point of View
' but the more consequential signal is institutional: China is systematically expanding its astronaut pipeline beyond the PLA pilot corps, mirroring a shift seen in NASA and ESA toward civilian scientists. With China targeting crewed lunar missions before 2030, the Shenzhou-23 mission serves as a live rehearsal for operating mixed crews of military commanders and civilian payload experts — a model that will define the next phase of the country's space programme.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lai Ka-ying and why is she significant?
Lai Ka-ying is a Hong Kong police chief inspector and computer science PhD who has been selected as a payload specialist on the Shenzhou-23 mission, making her Hong Kong 's first-ever astronaut and China 's first female payload expert.
When does Shenzhou-23 launch?
The Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft is targeting a launch at 23:08 on 24 May 2026 from the Jiuquan launch site, according to the China Manned Space Agency .
Who else is on the Shenzhou-23 crew?
Lai Ka-ying will fly with mission commander Zhu Yangzhu , a veteran of Shenzhou-16 , and fellow first-timer Zhang Zhiyuan . Both Lai and Zhang are on their debut spaceflight.
How was Lai Ka-ying selected and trained?
Lai was selected in 2024 as part of China 's fourth astronaut batch, which set aside two payload specialist places for candidates from Hong Kong and Macau . She joined training in August 2024 and logged 1,700 hours before passing her flight qualification assessment.
What does this mission mean for Hong Kong's role in China's space programme?
The mission signals a deepening integration of Hong Kong 's scientific talent into national space efforts. Agency spokesman Zhang Jingbo noted that universities and research institutes in Hong Kong have been 'actively plugged in the national space efforts in recent years,' suggesting the territory's involvement will grow beyond this single mission.
