A man who gets sick on amusement park rides and struggles with motion sickness on boats is now a candidate to become Hong Kong's first astronaut.
Lai Ka-yan, a 37-year-old assistant director at the Hong Kong police force's cyber security division, was selected as one of 10 payload specialist candidates for China's space program. He is the only candidate from Hong Kong.
A police officer with a childhood dream of space
Lai applied for the position after seeing a recruitment notice from the Hong Kong government in October 2022. The China Manned Space Agency had asked the city to nominate candidates for its fourth batch of astronauts. Lai said he had dreamed of going to space since he was a child, and his family supported his decision to apply.
He went through a rigorous selection process that included medical checks, physical fitness tests, and psychological evaluations. The China Manned Space Agency made the final cut from a pool of candidates across Hong Kong and Macau.
How he overcame his biggest weakness
Lai acknowledged that motion sickness was his biggest challenge. He said he gets carsick easily and cannot handle spinning rides at amusement parks. But he decided to train himself by repeatedly exposing his body to motion. He practiced on spinning chairs and other equipment to build tolerance.
His strategy worked well enough to pass the medical screening. Lai said he told himself, "Let's give it a try," and focused on his goal rather than his physical limitations.
What happens next for Hong Kong's space hopeful
Lai will now undergo further training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing. If he completes the program, he could be assigned to a future mission to China's Tiangong space station. His role as a payload specialist would involve conducting scientific experiments in orbit.
For many in Hong Kong, Lai's selection represents a milestone. The city has never had an astronaut before, and his candidacy marks a rare direct involvement in China's national space efforts. Local media followed his journey closely, and his story resonated with residents who saw a relatable figure overcoming a common weakness.
Lai's selection does not guarantee a trip to space. He remains a candidate among many. But his willingness to push past a physical limitation that affects millions of people has already made him a notable figure in Hong Kong's small but growing connection to human spaceflight.
