HONG KONG: The dream of entering the otherworldly realm of space exploration has taken one giant leap forward for six Hong Kong school children. The kids, ranging in age from eight to 11, will set off for a 6-day junior astronaut training program at the US Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, starting August 5.

There were 1,500 applicants for this year's program. Only six were considered worthy candidates at the conclusion of three rounds of competition. Applicants were tested for creativity, physical abilities, knowledge about space, and on their communications skills. Judges and patrons were assembled by university presidents and celebrities in Hong Kong.

Leung Yin, an 8-year-old primary two girl and the youngest junior astronaut this year, conceded she was afraid her age would place her at a disadvantage among competitors.

However, she was determined and passionate in her aim to become a medical doctor working in space medicine. Leung felt confident of her goal and suggested that the judges not discriminate on the grounds of her youth.

"I think that's (being a space medical doctor) only a dream but I'll support her if she thinks it's possible," her mother said.

The eldest finalist, Jonathan Wong, an 11-year-old form two student aiming at space research was making his third application to the program this year. This time around he said he was a lot more confident and experienced than he was in his first two attempts.

"I watched videos of how celebrities give speeches and performed tests in simulations with my family," Wong said.

Wong added although he had learnt much from the previous attempts, he had been almost ready to give up after two failures. It was the spirit of "It is possible" that kept him going.

At the overseas camp, the successful applicants and their parents will hear a series of lectures about space. They will participate in training exercises, including realistic space simulations in a full-scale orbiter, 1/6 gravity training with a virtual-reality moon walk.

They will also experience weightlessness, free movement in space and maneuvering abroad the space shuttle in simulation.

(HK Edition 07/21/2009 page1)