Second China Space Day marked with astronaut lecture

Chinese astronaut Wang Yaping (left) met yesterday with Chui Sai On

Macau marked the second anniversary of China’s Space Day yesterday by holding an educational session to promote interest in  astronomy  among young students.

The event, held at the Science Center, was organized by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ). About 400 middle school students attended the event.

Chinese astronaut Wang Yaping, a crew member of China’s Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft, shared her experience of ground training and orbit operation with the students after showcasing several video clips about the space mission.

Wang has previously held a lecture while in space  for middle and elementary school students, via a nation-wide live TV broadcast. When asked about her most interesting experience during the mission, Wang replied that she had found the loss of gravity as the most interesting, but added that it had also created inconveniences such as sleep difficulties.

The astronaut added that if she could land on the moon in future, she would want to dress like Chang’e, the moon goddess in Chinese myth, with a pet rabbit in her arms, which made the students break into laughter.

Jin Sheng, a specialist on popularization of astronomy to youths, briefed the students about China’s space program.

DSEJ’s head Leong Lai said in her opening speech of the event that Macau’s youth will learn about the achievements of China’s space industry and the endeavoring spirit of Chinese astronauts.

China Space Day was initiated last year to mark the launch of China’s first satellite on April 24, 1970.  MDT/Xinhua