A Hong Kong scientist has become the first astronaut from the territory to travel into orbit, launching on a Chinese spacecraft from the Gobi Desert this morning. The mission, designated Shenzhou-19, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre at 10:03 local time, carrying a crew of three including Dr. Kelvin Chan, a payload specialist with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The crew is expected to dock with the Tiangong space station later today.
The development marks a significant milestone for China's space programme, which has increasingly sought to incorporate Hong Kong's research institutions since the territory's return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Dr. Chan, 42, was selected from a pool of candidates in a joint programme between the China Manned Space Agency and the Hong Kong government. His research focuses on microgravity effects on cellular regeneration, with experiments planned during the six-month mission.
In London, the UK Space Agency issued a statement reaffirming Britain's independent launch capabilities, noting the successful launch of the Skyrora XL rocket from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland last month. "The United Kingdom maintains sovereign access to space through multiple commercial and government launch partners," said Dr. Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency. "We congratulate Dr. Chan and his crewmates on their launch, and we continue to support international collaboration in space while ensuring British interests are protected."
The announcement comes amid growing competition in the Asia-Pacific region for space-based assets and influence. China has conducted 45 orbital launches this year, more than any other nation, while the UK has completed three launches from domestic spaceports. The European Space Agency, of which the UK remains a member despite Brexit, has expressed interest in capacity-sharing agreements with non-European partners.
Dr. Chan's inclusion in the mission is seen as a strategic move by Beijing to deepen ties with Hong Kong's scientific community. "This is not just a symbolic gesture," said Dr. Rebecca Li, a space policy analyst at the University of Oxford. "Hong Kong has world-class research in biomedicine and materials science. Incorporating its talent into the national space programme serves both scientific and political objectives."
The Shenzhou-19 crew will conduct a series of experiments and spacewalks during their stay aboard Tiangong. The station is expected to remain operational until at least 2030, with plans for expansion to accommodate additional modules and international partners.
Critics have raised concerns about the militarisation of space, particularly in light of China's recent anti-satellite weapons tests. However, both the Chinese and UK space agencies have emphasised the peaceful nature of their programmes. The UK Space Agency reiterated its commitment to the Outer Space Treaty and the responsible use of space resources.
For Hong Kong, the launch represents a rare moment of unified achievement across the political divide. The territory has experienced significant social and political upheaval since the imposition of the National Security Law in 2020. Dr. Chan addressed the crew's departure with a brief statement: "We carry the hopes of many. Our work in space is for all humanity."
The spacecraft is scheduled to return to Earth in May 2025, with a splashdown in the South China Sea.
