Prof. Daniel LAU pioneers Hong Kong's First Reusable Experimental Payload for the Shijian-19 Satellite Project

Prof. Daniel Lau, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Head of the Department of Applied Physics, has played a pivotal role in the Shijian-19 satellite project, which is the nation’s first reusable and returnable satellite. This satellite successfully conducted multiple experiments in Low Earth Orbit before being retrieved and returned to Earth. Notably, it carried an innovative in-orbit material experiment testbed developed by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), marking a significant milestone as Hong Kong’s first reusable experimental payload to return from space.

Led by Prof. Lau who is also a member of the University’s Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), this project was a collaborative effort with the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, with the testbed designed and manufactured at PolyU’s Industrial Centre. The research and production processes were entirely conducted on campus. This initiative aims to explore the effects of microgravity, vacuum, and radiation on high-performance catalysts, laying the groundwork for catalyst materials that can produce fuels, oxygen, and specific chemicals in space. 

Building on his prior research in carbon dioxide electroreduction, Prof. Lau’s work underscores the potential of novel catalyst materials for space applications. The Shijian-19 project not only highlights PolyU’s dedication to space exploration but also establishes the university as a vital contributor to national space missions.

The retrieved testbed will undergo further analysis at PolyU, offering valuable insights for future deep space missions. PolyU AP committed to fostering advancements in technology and contributing to global aerospace leadership.

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