Macao marks 2nd China Space Day with astronaut sharing space experience

MACAO - Macao marked the second anniversary of China's Space Day Monday afternoon to popularize space science to young students in the special administrative region (SAR).

The event, held in the Macao Science Center, was organized by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of the SAR government. 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.

She once had have lectures to middle and elementary school students through a nation wide live TV broadcast during her stay in space.

When asked about the most interesting experience in space, Wang said the loss of gravity was the most interesting one, but it also created some inconveniences such as sleep difficulty.

The astronaut also said if she could land on the moon in future, she wanted to dress like Chang'e, the moon goddess in Chinese fairy tales, with a pet rabbit in her arms, which made the students break into laughters.

Jin Sheng, a specialist on popularization of space science to the youth, briefed the students about China's space development plan.

The education bureau's chief Leong Lai said in her opening speech of the event that Macao's youth will learn about the achievements of China's space industry and the endeavoring spirit of Chinese astronauts.

The China Space Day was designated last year to mark the launch of China's first satellite on April 24, 1970.