Dream blasts off for eight

Dreams of being part of a spacefaring future took a quantum leap for eight young Hongkongers with their completion of a nine-day theoretical and practical astronaut training with their parents in the United States last month.

That came with the resumption of the YF Life Jr Space Camp Program, which provides a sponsored opportunity for children to experience a simulated space journey, this year after a three-year suspension because of Covid.

Founded in 1999, it aims to enhance interest in aerospace technology and space knowledge, and to cultivate their self-confidence to achieve life goals.

In three rounds of interviews starting from April that tested 2,000 youngsters on space knowledge, physical fitness, presentation skills as well as family relationships, eight children, aged between seven and 11, were selected.

They, along with their parents, left on July 19.

Their journey began at Huntsville Space Camp in Alabama, where the eight underwent a number of challenging astronaut simulation exercises, including experiencing the virtual reality of walking on the moon, controlling a full-scale space orbiter, and learned how to build a simulated space station.

They also prepped up on the history of space exploration and participated in a space knowledge contest at a museum.

At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, they got a view of a simulated space shuttle journey, and close-up viewings of launch pads, a Saturn V rocket and the retired space shuttle Atlantis.

The eight also met Marcos Pontes, the first south American to go into space in 2006, and learned about how astronauts worked and lived.

Adrian Wu, eight, would like to become a rocket designer after building and launching a model one with his dad.

Kevin Wu, 11, who filled in as mission commander in a simulation, said he not only learned how to control a space shuttle, but also enhanced his teamwork and communication skills.

"He has become more self-disciplined after the training and knows how to organize his own life, such as studying or practicing the piano," said his mother.

YF Life chief executive Victor Yip Ka-lin said the eight lived up to the program's "It is Possible!" spirit by passing tests and completing tasks in training.

"I hope this unforgettable experience will serve as a driving force for them to realize their dream in the future, so that they will dare to face every challenge in life with confidence."