Lai Ka-ying is the first astronaut from Hong Kong selected for China’s Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station [1].
The selection marks a significant milestone for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as it integrates into China's expanding crewed-space program. By joining the mission, Lai becomes the fourth Chinese woman to travel into space [4].
Lai, a police superintendent who holds a doctorate in computer science, will serve as a payload specialist [1]. The mission consists of a three-person crew [3]. They are scheduled to launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to reach the station in low-Earth orbit [2].
The launch is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026 [1]. Lift-off is expected at 11:08 p.m. Hong Kong time [5].
While some reports identify the astronaut as Li Jiaying, other sources list her as Lai Ka-ying [1]. She was chosen to represent Hong Kong in the program and to conduct specialized research as part of her role as a payload specialist [1].
“Lai Ka-ying is the first astronaut from Hong Kong selected for China’s Shenzhou-23 mission.”
The inclusion of a Hong Kong resident in the Shenzhou program signals a strategic expansion of China's space initiatives to include the HKSAR. By selecting a payload specialist with a background in computer science and law enforcement, China is diversifying the professional expertise of its orbital crews while utilizing the mission as a symbol of regional integration.
