Su Hui, lead of the Hong Kong-developed Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO) project, has hailed the upcoming operation of the groundbreaking instrument by the first Hong Kong astronaut aboard China's Tiangong space station as a historic milestone.
Jointly developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the MUSICO is the station's first spaceborne greenhouse gas detector, fully reflecting Hong Kong's profound engagement in national space projects.
Lai Ka-ying, the first member of China's fourth batch of astronauts to take on an in-orbit mission, as well as the first female payload specialist from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to join the country's manned space program, will operate MUSICO during her stay on the Tiangong space station to conduct precise detection of global greenhouse gas emission sources.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Su, who also serves as the dean of the School of Space Science and Technology at the HKUST, shared insights into the world-leading instrument and its far-reaching implications ahead of the launch of the Shenzhou-23 mission.
"MUSICO is the world's first lightweight, high-resolution, and high-precision instrument capable of synergistic detection of carbon dioxide and methane point sources. It is also the first instrument in the world that can simultaneously monitor both carbon dioxide and methane. So, having an astronaut from Hong Kong operate a scientific payload led by Hong Kong's research team is a significant milestone event," Su said.
Su went on to explain the design and operating principles of the MUSICO aboard the Tiangong space station, as well as the reason behind sending it into orbit.
"The MUSICO on the Tiangong is like an 'eye for space.' From an altitude of about 400 kilometers, it takes precise photos of emission sources around the globe. Ordinary people don't have a deep understanding of emission reduction and energy transition. But with such data, we can truly know who is emitting and exactly how much they are emitting," she said.
Beyond providing accurate emission data, Su expressed the hope that China's independently developed equipment and the data it transmits from space will enhance the country's influence in global climate change response, raise public awareness of carbon reduction, and promote a green and low-carbon lifestyle.
"It tells us exactly how much carbon dioxide and methane are emitted from which locations, providing crucial data support for achieving the dual carbon goals. It also helps increase China's voice in global climate change response and governance. This is a very important project for Hong Kong to deeply participate in China's aerospace science and technology development. It demonstrates the country's recognition and support for Hong Kong's participation in the national aerospace cause. It also shows that Hong Kong's research and development teams have the ability to develop world-leading scientific instruments and contribute Hong Kong's strength and wisdom to China's aerospace industry," she added.
She was referring to the goal raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
The Shenzhou-23 mission is scheduled to be launched at 23:08 Beijing time (1508 GMT) on Sunday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The China Manned Space Agency announced on Saturday that astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying will carry out the spaceflight mission.
Hong Kong astronaut to operate Hong Kong-developed space camera, marking milestone: project lead
