Space has always captivated the human imagination. Over the years, PolyU has been proud to explore the frontiers of space and unravel its mysteries by supporting the Nation’s space exploration missions, by leveraging the University’s cutting-edge research and engineering capabilities. As the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong to participate in various national space missions, PolyU has played a pivotal role in our country’s milestone space initiatives, including the first lunar sample return mission Chang’e-5 and the first Mars exploration project Tianwen-1. This commitment to space exploration was acknowledged when PolyU had the honour of hosting the China Manned Space delegation.

During its four-day visit to Hong Kong in late November 2023, the delegation paid a visit to the PolyU campus and participated in a memorable event titled "A Dialogue between the China Manned Space and PolyU Students and Faculty Members" held at the Jockey Club Auditorium. This was the second time for PolyU to host the delegation in space exploration, following the visit of a delegation of esteemed Chinese astronautical scientists to PolyU in 2021.

Honourable guests, including Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government; Dr Wang Weiming, Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr Tim Lui, Chairman of the University Grants Committee; PolyU Council Chairman Dr Lam Tai-fai; and PolyU President Professor Jin-Guang Teng, were present to extend pride and admiration for the successful manned space missions accomplished by the Nation in recent years.

Led by Mr Lin Xiqiang, Deputy Director General of the China Manned Space Agency, the delegation consisted of the following key members:

• Mr Yang Hong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chief Designer of the Space Station System of the China Manned Space Programme, and Researcher of the China Academy of Space Technology

• Mr Yan Pu, Deputy Director of the Information Office, China Manned Space Agency

• Mr Liu Boming, Astronaut at the Astronaut Centre of China and Shenzhou-12 Astronaut

• Mr Chen Dong, Astronaut Team Leader at the Astronaut Centre of China and Shenzhou-14 Astronaut

• Mr Dong Guangliang, Researcher of the Beijing Institute of Tracking and Telecommunications Technology, and Chief Designer of the Tracking, Telemetry and Command System

• Mr Chen Jie, Head of the Scientific Programme and Quality Control Division, China Manned Space Agency

• Ms Yang Xin, Head of the Information Office, China Manned Space Agency

With an audience of approximately 700 PolyU students and faculty members in attendance, the delegation engaged in meaningful discussions and exchanged invaluable insights about the Nation's manned space missions. The visit not only granted the PolyU community a precious opportunity to witness the latest space developments of the Nation at close quarters, but also ignited a sense of pride for the Nation’s achievements in space exploration. Let's watch the video for details.

The China Manned Space delegation to PolyU was led by Mr Lin Xiqiang, Deputy Director General of the China Manned Space Agency.

Mr Liu Boming, Astronaut at the Astronaut Centre of China and Shenzhou-12 Astronaut, delivered a presentation to share his experiences in manned space missions.

The delegation exchanged views with PolyU staff and students at the discussion session. Participants of the session include: Mr Yang Hong (third from left); Mr Liu Boming (fourth from left); Mr Dong Guangliang (fourth from right); Prof. Yung Kai-leung, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations of PolyU (third from right); Prof. Wu Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Associate Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations of PolyU (second from right); Ms Lui Ho Ching, Year-four student, Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies (second from left); as well as Mr Chen Long, PhD student, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (first from right), at the discussion and exchange session. Prof. Geoffrey Q.P. Shen, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships) (first from left) was the moderator.

* Photos by Information Services Department

PolyU’s 30-year journey in deep space research

Dedicating to serving the Nation through research and innovation, PolyU possesses a wealth of international space exploration experience and has played a pivotal role in various strategic national space projects.

1990S

Professor Yung Kai-leung, from the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, together with researchers from the Industrial Centre, adopted the concept of dental forceps to develop the “Space Holinser Forceps System”, which was used by astronauts for precision soldering at the former Russia Mir space station.

2000S

Developed by PolyU in 1997, the “Mars Rock Corer” was used for the Mars Express Mission in 2003. Three years later in 2006, PolyU signed a collaborative agreement with the Lunar Exploration Programme Centre of the China National Space Administration to nurture talent and foster academic exchange and research collaboration.

2011

PolyU developed the “Soil Preparation System” for the Sino-Russian Phobos-Grunt Mission, to collect soil samples from the Martian moon Phoboes.

2013

PolyU research teams were invited by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) to take part in the Chang’e-3 mission. Professor Yung Kai-leung’s team jointly developed the “Camera Pointing System” with CAST, while Professor Wu Bo’s team worked on the topographic 3D mapping model and analysis of the landing site.

2015

PolyU developed the “microsatellite platform and deployment system” with Aerospace Dongfanghong Development Ltd, Shenzhen, for Long March-6’s “20 satellites in one rocket” mission. The instrument was installed in the “Kaituo-1B” microsatellite.

2019

The Nation made history with the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon with the success of the Chang’e-4mission. PolyU helped select the landing site through topographic and geomorphological characterisation and analysis; and captured and monitored the operation of the lunar rover "Yutu-2" and taking images of the moon by moving vertically and horizontally using the “Camera Pointing System”.

2020

In collaboration with CAST, PolyU developed and manufactured the “Surface Sampling and Packing System” for the Nation’s Chang’e-5 mission, the world's first fully automated multi-point lunar surface sampling and packaging. The system automatically collected and packed approximately 1.5 kilograms of surface lunar soil samples and returned back to Earth.

2021

In the Tianwen-1 mission, PolyU developed the “Mars Landing Surveillance Camera” for monitoring the deployment of the Mars rover "Zhurong" and identified possible landing sites using advanced topographic mapping and geomorphological analysis technologies.

2022

PolyU and the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology, the only research centre in the Nation dedicated to this field, formed a partnership to set up the Joint Research Centre of Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology in July 2022.

2023

The research and innovations of PolyU researchers in deep space exploration clinched numerous international recognitions in 2023, including:

• The China Academy of Space Technology Chang’e-5 team, in which PolyU played a significant role, was awarded the Laurels for Team Achievement Award by the International Academy of Astronautics.

• The “Mars Landing Surveillance Camera for Tianwen-1 Mars Soft Landing Mission” won the Prize of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca Romania and a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

• Professor Yung Kai-leung and Professor Wu Bo were honoured with the Outstanding Award (Individual) for China’s Lunar Exploration Mission Chang’e-5 and the Outstanding Award (Individual) for China’s First Mars Exploration Mission, respectively in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the Nation’s space exploration achievements.

• PolyU achieved a significant milestone by securing its membership in the International Astronautical Federation, as the first higher education institution in Hong Kong to do so.

From the cosmos to the cockpit: nurturing aviation talents

PolyU is not only a cradle for space exploration scientists, but is also a breeding ground for aviation talents. With an aim to develop Hong Kong as a hub for aviation training, PolyU is collaborating with Cathay Pacific Airways on a new integrated course for Cathay Pacific’s Cadet Pilot training programme to cultivate young aviation professionals. The first group of 21 Cathay Pacific Airways cadet pilots graduated from this training programme in December 2023. The new integrated course offers an alternative mode of training for prospective pilots which includes theoretical ground training at PolyU and multi-crew simulator training at Cathay City in Hong Kong, as well as flight practice in the United States and Australia.

Civil Aviation Department Chief, Flight Standards Captain, Mr Lawrence Wong (standing, eighth from right), PolyU’s Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Ir Professor H.C. Man (standing, seventh from left), Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ronald Lam (standing, eighth from left), senior executives from AeroGuard, and Cathay Pacific’s senior management celebrate with guests and the 21 cadet pilot graduates.

PolyU is honoured to have played a role in the Nation's triumphs in space missions, with a notable history of participation. The University will remain at the forefront of research excellence, technological advancement and talent development, propelling Hong Kong and the Nation towards a better future.