For Lai Ka-ying, the hardest part of becoming an astronaut was not the grueling training or the risks of spaceflight. It was leaving her family behind.
Her sister, Lai Ka-man, told the South China Morning Post that the family felt both pride and pain as the 31-year-old police inspector prepares to become Hong Kong’s first astronaut. Lai Ka-ying is set to fly on China’s Shenzhou spacecraft later this year.
A police officer chosen for the stars
Lai Ka-ying works as a police inspector in Hong Kong. She was selected as a payload specialist for China’s crewed space program, a role that involves conducting scientific experiments aboard the spacecraft. Her sister said Lai Ka-ying had always been curious about space and that the selection process was intensely competitive. Out of a large pool of candidates, only a handful made the final cut. Lai Ka-ying was one of them.
The mission will make her the first person from Hong Kong to travel to space. For many in the city, her achievement is a source of collective pride. Local residents have followed her journey closely, from her early days in the police force to her training at China’s astronaut center.
The weight of saying goodbye
Lai Ka-man described the moment her sister told the family about the mission. There was excitement, but also a deep awareness of what the journey would cost. The sisters are close, and Lai Ka-man said the thought of her sister being so far away for an extended period was difficult to process. Their parents, too, felt the emotional weight of the departure.
Lai Ka-ying has been training for months, learning to operate spacecraft systems and handle the physical demands of microgravity. But her sister noted that the emotional preparation was just as intense. Leaving behind the people who raised her and the city she served was not something training could fully prepare her for.
A milestone for Hong Kong
Hong Kong has never sent one of its own into space. Lai Ka-ying’s mission breaks that barrier. Her selection also reflects the growing role of Hong Kong professionals in China’s national space program. For local residents, her journey is not just a personal achievement but a shared milestone. Schools have discussed her story. Neighbors have offered their support. The city is watching.
Lai Ka-man said the family is proud of what her sister has accomplished and will be waiting for her return. The mission is expected to last several days. When Lai Ka-ying comes back, she will come home to a city that sees itself a little differently now. One of its own has reached the stars.
