To cultivate the interest in space science and astronomy among the youth generation in Hong Kong as well as enhance their understanding about the development and achievements of space technology in China, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce jointly present the “Young Astronaut Training Camp 2026” (YATC 2026) to select 30 local secondary school students to experience astronaut training in Beijing, Jiuquan and Xi’an, etc. Launched in 2009, the camp is now in its 15^th edition. The programme is in association with the China Space Foundation and Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, organised by the Hong Kong Space Museum.

Objectives

1. Enhance students' interest in space technology and astronomy;
2. Enable students to understand and experience the training of Chinese astronauts;
3. Encourage students to explore the development and achievements of China in space technology.

Activities

1. Experience astronaut training;
2. Meet with Chinese astronauts;
3. Visit key aerospace and astronomy facilities such as the Beijing Aerospace City, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and the Xinglong Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatories;
4. Learn about space technology and astronomy.

 

Eligibility

1. Local full-time Secondary 2 to 6 students (or equivalent) in the 2025/26 school year;
2. Aged 12 or above by 1 January 2026;
3. In good health and physically fit;
4. Proficient in Chinese.

Fee

Sponsored by The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. Free of charge.

Application Method

The nomination period starts from 3 March to 31 March 2026. Each school can nominate up to TWO students. After obtaining school nomination and parental permission, please submit the completed nomination form to the Youth Programme Unit of the Hong Kong Space Museum by email to acosrc@lcsd.gov.hk on or before 31 March 2026 (Tue) 11:59 pm. Please include the participant’s name in the email subject: YATC 2026 Application (candidate name).

Please refer to the notes on application and the nomination form for details. The "Notification of the first round of the selection" will be sent to eligible participants by email on or before 14 April 2026 (Tue).

 

To enhance the understanding of the activities and the requirements of the camp, a briefing session will be conducted. The briefing session will introduce the details and the selection of the camp, and include alumni sharing.

Date: 17 March 2026 (Tue)
Time: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Venue: Hong Kong Space Museum
Speakers: Assistant Curator of the Hong Kong Space Museum and YATC alumni
Language: To be conducted in Cantonese

The briefing session is open on-site only to local secondary school teachers and students. Registration is not required. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Participants are required to undergo three rounds of selection comprising a quiz, a pre-camp training and an interview. The top 30 students with outstanding performance will be selected to join the YATC 2026.

All selection will be conducted on-site. The details of each round will be sent to qualified participants of that round by email.

First Round of the Selection: Quiz

Date: 21 April 2026 (Tue)
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Venue: Space Theatre, Hong Kong Space Museum

Second Round of the Selection: Pre-camp Training

Date: 1 to 3 May 2026 (Fri to Sun)
Assembly and dismissal time: (1 May) 10:00 am – (3 May) 2:00 pm
Assembly and dismissal locations: Hong Kong Space Museum
Training location: Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, Sai Kung
Remark: Participants who cannot attend the entire course of the pre-camp training must seek endorsement by the Museum in advance. Participants who are absent for more than 5 hours in the pre-camp training (using the assembly and dismissal time as basis) will result in a 20% deduction from their scores in the second round.

Third Round of the Selection: Interview

Date: 23 May 2026 (Sat) afternoon
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum

 

Date Event Venue 17 March (Tue) Briefing Session Hong Kong Space Museum 31 March (Tue) Nomination Deadline - 21 April (Tue) Quiz (1st round of the selection) Hong Kong Space Museum 1 to 3 May (Fri to Sun) Pre-camp Training (2nd round of the selection) Lady MacLehose Holliday Village, Sai Kung 23 May (Sat) Interview (3rd round of the selection) Hong Kong Space Museum 4 July (Sat) Rehearsal of Send-off Ceremony and Briefing of the Camp Hong Kong Space Museum 9 July (Thu) Send-off Ceremony Hong Kong Science Museum 23 to 31 July Young Astronaut Training Camp Beijing, Jiuquan and Xi'an 27 August (Thu) Sharing Session Hong Kong Science Museum

The above schedule is for reference only and subject to final announcement. 

To be announced 

 

 

Please visit the YouTube Channel of the Hong Kong Space Museum for the highlights of the past camps.