Hong Kong enhances space education to nurture innovation talent
Hong Kong is integrating space science into school curricula, expanding student exchanges to mainland China space facilities, and planning a space museum in the Northern Territories to capitalise on national space achievements and foster future tech talent.
The Hong Kong government has outlined a multi-departmental strategy to leverage national space achievements for science education and talent development. In a legislative question-and-answer session on 7 October 2026, the government detailed plans to embed the latest space technology, including lunar exploration, space station experiments, and deep-space missions, into the primary and secondary STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) curriculum. The Education Bureau and the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau will collaborate to update science curricula and provide resources such as teaching kits simulating microgravity and rover programming.
To deepen students' exposure to space science, the government will expand mainland exchange programmes to include visits to key space facilities such as the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, Wenchang Space Launch Site, and Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Centre. The 2026 Chief Executive's Policy Address also announced an increase in places for the "Junior Astronaut Experience Camp" organised by the Hong Kong Space Museum, raising the number to 35 students. Additionally, the government will continue funding the Hong Kong Future Aerospace Technology Talent Training Programme for secondary school students, organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council.
For higher education, the government is encouraging universities to develop space-related courses. Four universities funded by the University Grants Committee—City University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology—already offer undergraduate programmes in aerospace. The Innovation and Technology Bureau will launch a new round of space technology project calls to support research in satellite technology, space instrumentation, aerospace materials, and remote sensing. The government also offers internship and training subsidies, including the Innovation and Technology Internship Scheme providing up to 10,000 placements over two years with monthly subsidies of at least HK$11,000.
In the Northern Territories, the government is exploring the establishment of a space museum or deep-space education centre in the San Tin Techno-Economy Zone or the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park. This follows the success of a touring exhibition on national space achievements that attracted tens of thousands of visitors. The proposed facility would feature immersive experiences such as simulated lunar or Mars bases, serving as a permanent educational platform for schools and a tourism attraction for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Overall, the government aims to build on the inspiration generated by Hong Kong astronaut Li Ka-ying's mission to the Tiangong space station, integrating space science into education and fostering a pipeline of young talent for the nation's space programme and Hong Kong's innovation economy.