Facing challenges

Under normal circumstances, she could have steadily pursued technical work and gradually earned promotions within the Hong Kong Police Force until retirement. However, her career took an unexpected turn in the autumn of 2022 when the China Manned Space Agency started selecting the country's fourth generation of astronauts.

The aim was to recruit eight spacecraft pilots from military aviators and two payload specialists from Hong Kong and Macao. It marked the first time residents of Hong Kong and Macao had the opportunity to join the nation's astronaut program.

"When I saw the recruitment notice for payload specialists, I thought it was a rare opportunity. Why not give it a try?"

After several stringent selection rounds, including medical examinations in Hong Kong and Beijing as well as physical and psychological tolerance tests at the Astronaut Center of China, she stood out from a pool of 120 applicants from Hong Kong. In August 2024, she traveled to Beijing to begin training with the other nine members of the fourth-generation astronaut group.

As a native Cantonese speaker, language was her first major challenge upon arrival at the training center. Her Mandarin carried a distinct Hong Kong accent, making daily communication difficult in the beginning.

Encouraged by instructors, teammates and veteran astronauts, she practiced constantly and steadily improved.

After gaining a better command of Mandarin, she was faced with intensive theoretical courses, specialized manual training and full-scale exercises. The mounting difficulty and packed training schedule posed unprecedented challenges.

For instance, Lai found spacesuit pressurization training particularly difficult.

"We need to pressurize the intravehicular spacesuit during training. I had ear discomfort before I managed to master the key techniques," she added.

Pressurized spacesuits expand in volume, restricting astronauts' movements inside confined cabins. Standing 1.61 meters tall with a petite build, Lai still struggled with operations even in the smallest-sized suit and was often drenched in sweat during strenuous cabin training exercises.

"I used to strain myself greatly and break into a sweat every time I connected pipelines inside the spacecraft," she said, noting that the situation improved only after an experienced astronaut provided her with extra training and hands-on guidance.

She then realized the maneuver relied not merely on strength but also on skill and technique. Gradually, she shifted from relying on brute force to performing operations with dexterity and precision.

Over a two-year period, Lai and her fellow astronauts underwent a series of grueling challenges, including 72-hour sleep deprivation training, desert survival drills and six-day cave escape training.

"Every astronaut around me is exceptionally outstanding. I feel truly fortunate to have studied and trained alongside them and built friendships with them. I appreciate having each other's company, mutual encouragement and joint progress. This journey has brought me tremendous growth and valuable experiences.

"The entire training journey has been extremely challenging and grueling. I could not have stood here today without the rigorous guidance from veteran astronauts, the silent dedication of all Chinese space industry workers, and the unconditional backing from my family," Lai said.

Family bond

During her six-month stay aboard in the Tiangong, Lai will be responsible for various scientific experiments and other routine duties. Thanks to long-term training and thorough preparation, she said she is confident in her ability to fulfill her mission.

Lai said she often imagines life in space, hoping to gaze through the viewport at the motherland's vast lands and seas, trace the outline of her hometown and see whether the stars form a splendid galaxy.

"I plan to take photos of my family with me. I have never been away from home for so long. All I hope is to accomplish my mission successfully and reunite with my loved ones soon," she added.

Her husband, who was on a promising career track, slowed his professional advancement to support her space dream. He moved to Beijing with their two daughters and son, and took sole responsibility for caring for the children.

"I am deeply grateful to my husband. Over the past two years, he has played both father and mother, making tremendous sacrifices. I know how tough this journey has been for him."

Her packed training schedule allowed her to spend only occasional weekend days with her husband and children. "We never go out on those days, just stay home and enjoy family time," she said.

After settling in Beijing, the children visited the Palace Museum and climbed the Great Wall, gaining a firsthand glimpse of the country's magnificent scenery.

"I have not had the chance to see these sights myself," she said."Once my mission ends, I hope to travel across the country and see all the stunning landscapes of our motherland."

Lai will celebrate a special birthday in space in November. Unable to gather with her family this time, she said she will carry hand-drawn artworks created by her husband and children on her space journey to keep their companionship close at heart.

After Lai's participation was announced on Saturday, John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, expressed gratitude to the motherland for its support and trust in the city and congratulated Lai on passing the rigorous selection and training process.

"As this year marks the beginning of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, the HKSAR is embracing a historic moment in the pursuit of its aerospace dream. We are deeply inspired by this moment of extraordinary significance, where a Hong Kong specialist takes part in the spaceflight mission as an astronaut for the first time.

"I express my heartfelt gratitude to the country for providing the HKSAR's technology talent with this valuable opportunity to take part in the country's aerospace endeavors," he said in a statement on Saturday.

Zhang Xiang, president of The University of Hong Kong, Lai's alma mater, said the astronaut's achievement is a moment of immense pride for the entire HKU community and the city.

"Her success serves as a beacon for our students, proving that with dedication, the most ambitious dreams are within reach. We hope Lai's mission inspires a new generation of Hong Kong scientists to reach for the stars and contribute to our nation's glorious space odyssey," he said in a statement.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn