The first Hong Kong woman pilot will fly to the Chinese space station.

China’s Tiangong space station is adding a new crew member

The Tiangong station will welcome its first female taikonaut from Hong Kong—a former police officer who holds a PhD in computer forensics. Bloomberg confirmed the information based on Chinese media reports.

Who is she?
Lai Ka‑ying (Lai Ka-ying) was born and raised in Hong Kong. After serving in the police, she earned a PhD in computer forensic science and now works as a payload expert for space missions.

Congratulations from the administration head
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee congratulated Lai on her appointment to Shenzhou‑23 and emphasized that her inclusion in the crew is not only recognition of personal abilities but also evidence of how much China values Hong Kong’s talent, development, and achievements in high‑technology.

Role on the station
On Tiangong, Lai will be responsible for conducting experiments as well as scientific and applied research.

Launch date and team
- Launch time: May 24, 23:08 local time (18:08 UTC).
- Mission commander: Zhu Yangzhu.
- Pilot: Zhang Zhiyuan.

Hong Kong delegation
At the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the delegation will be led by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry.

Thus, the Shenzhou‑23 mission not only expands the international crew composition but also underscores Hong Kong’s growing role in the global space industry.