Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong's first astronaut, launched into space aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft on Sunday evening. The mission marks a milestone for the city as she joins a three-person crew heading to the Tiangong space station.
The Long March-2F rocket carrying Shenzhou-23 lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu province at 11.08pm local time. Mission control confirmed success about 20 minutes later.
Lai, a 43-year-old police superintendent and mother of three, serves as payload specialist. Her first words from space were “feeling good,” according to CCTV.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu praised her in a pre-launch video call, stating her participation reflects the country’s trust in Hong Kong. The crew is expected to reach the Tiangong space station in about 3½ hours.
