Prof. CY WEN, Head and Chair Professor of Aeronautical Engineering, Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University gave a welcoming speech during the “Engineering: LEO Satellites and Rockets” session.
AAE hosted one of the afternoon parallel sessions themed “Engineering: LEO Satellites and Rockets”. Leaders from various sectors and companies participated in the session.
Mr LI Bin, Vice President of the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology shared in the session themed “Engineering: LEO Satellites and Rockets”
In the parallel session, PolyU signed an MoU with the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance (LAEA). Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President (back, 3rd from left); Dr Winnie TANG, Founding Vice President of the LAEA, Founder and Honorary President of the Smart City Consortium (back, 3rd from right), Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of PolyU (back, 2nd from left); Mr Sean LEE, Founding Vice President of the LAEA (back, 2nd from right), Prof. Chih-yung WEN, Head of Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering and Chair Professor of Aeronautical Engineering (back, 1st from left) and Mr Gary YEUNG, President, Smart City Consortium (back, 1st from right), the MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) (front, left) and Hon Elizabeth QUAT, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Founding President of the LAEA (front, right).
PolyU held the inauguration ceremony of the Research Centre for Low Altitude Economy and announced the launch of an MSc Programme in Low Altitude Economy in September 2025.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted the Aerospace Innovation Research Summit (AIR Summit) on campus on 19 November 2024, bringing together political and business leaders, researchers, and industry professionals from the aerospace technology and innovation sectors. Thematic parallel sessions focused on key topics including deep space exploration, rocket and satellite technology, the new space economy, low altitude economy and opportunities for startups. Participants shared the latest research achievements, technological breakthroughs and discussed innovative aerospace solutions. The event attracted close to 1,000 global scholars and industry experts, with over 50 speakers sharing their insights and research findings.
In the afternoon, the Summit featured five thematic parallel sessions, focusing on: “Exploring How Entrepreneurs Harness Research Outcomes to Seize Space Economy Opportunities”, “Low Altitude Economy Development in Hong Kong”, “Engineering: LEO Satellites and Rockets”, “Space Exploration: Technology and Science”, and “Commercialising Space”. These sessions facilitated discussion among participants on technological innovation, industry trends and applications.
Experts Illuminate LEO Satellites and Rocket Engineering
Hosted by the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE), the “Engineering: LEO Satellites and Rockets” session brought together experts from governmental and private sectors to explore cutting-edge technologies and developments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and rocket engineering. Key presentations about rocket engineering included Mr Li Bin, Vice President of the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology, discussing advancements in liquid rocket engines, and Mr Wang Yingcheng, Head of the CAS Space Innovation Center, on China’s commercial rocket initiatives. Prof. Sean Shan Min Swei, Director of the Space Technology and Innovation Lab and Professor of Practice at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University, introduced a CubeSat-based solution for sustainable LEO access. Mr Wang Lei, CEO of ADA Space Co. Ltd., showcased ADA Space's AI satellite network, while Dr Xu Bing, Assistant Professor at the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University presented a new paradigm in satellite navigation. A dedicated student team from AAE also shared their ongoing rocket research efforts.
The session highlighted innovative solutions and collaborative efforts shaping the future of aerospace engineering.
Promoting talent development, academic research, and technology transfer in the low altitude economy
In the “Low Altitude Economy Development in Hong Kong” session, PolyU signed an MoU with the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance (LAEA) to collaborate on driving innovation and advancing practices in the low altitude economy, as well as promoting academic research and technology transfer. At the same session, PolyU held the inauguration ceremony of the Research Centre for Low Altitude Economy (RCLAE), with Hon Elizabeth QUAT, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Founding President of the LAEA, and Dr Winnie TANG, Founding Vice President of the LAEA, Founder and Honorary President of the Smart City Consortium, officiating.
In his speech, Prof. Christopher Chao said, “The low altitude economy is an emerging industry that the Nation is actively promoting. As one of the engines driving the development of new productive forces, PolyU is committed to supporting the development of related technologies, including drone package delivery and unmanned autonomous systems in urban landscapes. Regarding talent development, PolyU will launch an MSc Programme in the Low-Altitude Economy in September 2025. This unique interdisciplinary programme will balance technical research and business operations, covering topics from aircraft design in aviation hardware to civilian aviation software, including airspace management, flight path planning, and cargo and passenger transportation. Through this comprehensive approach, we aim to cultivate talent essential for advancing the low-altitude economy.”
RCLAE brings together experts and scholars from the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies. RCLAE focuses on two key areas: infrastructure deployment and low-altitude airspace operation, and the development of intelligent perception and control technologies. The first area aims to design and manage low-altitude airspace effectively, ensuring safe and efficient usage. The second area focuses on developing advanced technologies that ensure aircraft can fly securely in low-altitude airspace, even in challenging situations. RCLAE has already initiated projects on low-altitude air traffic management and the use of drones for cargo transportation. Through applied research, RCLAE will propose a code of practice for drone usage in Hong Kong, and, in collaboration with the PolyU Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology, will offer policy recommendations for amending existing or establishing new regulations.
