Dallas, 17 June 2026: As spring turned to summer in 1961, President John F. Kennedy famously stood before Congress and declared the USA should seek to land a man on the moon by the decade’s end. “No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind or more important for the long range exploration of space,” he insisted. His remarks were intended to focus minds after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin had become the first man to orbit the earth six weeks earlier. No pressure, NASA.
The bold vision was realised when Neil Armstrong stepped into history in 1969. It also triggered a stampede. Thus far, more than 630 people from 47 nations have gone into space – that is, at least orbited earth – while 28 of these have either circled or walked on the moon. As for hardware, it’s rather cluttered up there. Some 15,200 functioning satellites are in orbit while 29,000 other objects are being tracked by scientists. In total, they weigh around 16,200 tonnes. Space debris falling to earth is now a major concern.
Still, JFK’s landmark address resonates both here in Dallas – my current location and scene of his untimely demise – and in Hong Kong, which is celebrating the achievements of its first astronaut. Mother-of-three Lai Ka-ying, a police superintendent with a doctorate in computer science, is one of three crew members currently carrying out research at China’s Tiangong space station, having blasted off on the Shenzhou-23 mission three weeks ago. They are expected to stay there six months.
Dr Lai’s face is omnipresent in our city’s media with many hailing her as an inspiration and role model. Chase your dreams, she advises young people. In offering his congratulations and calling it “a moment of extraordinary significance”, city leader John Lee says her selection for the space mission reflects Hong Kong’s innovation and technology talent. He points out we are contributing to national aerospace development and research, which includes providing systems, instruments and technical support for China’s lunar and Mars exploration missions. The Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre, established some 15 months ago, is pioneering advanced rover and energy technology.
There are hopes Dr Lai’s success will prove – erm – a launchpad for Hong Kong’s fledgling aerospace sector. Technology minister Sun Dong wants to boost funding for universities to advance space research. Speakers at our city’s Global Prosperity Summit 2026 are equally enthusiastic. Professor Bernard Foing of the International Lunar Exploration Working Group believes Hong Kong can be “an architect of the next generation of spacecraft missions”. High-profile politician and summit founder Regina Ip would like the government to set up a “space office” to co-ordinate policy.
Yu Hongyu, head of the Aerospace Research Academy at Polytechnic University, wants the authorities to go further by formulating a clear blueprint for aerospace technology development. He believes our leaders must “grasp the historical opportunities” with a radical rethink of education and industry objectives. More immediately, lawmaker and school principal Ken Wong suggests cross-border trips for students to witness rocket launches.
Nice idea, one Kazakhstan is already promoting in Hong Kong. While Dr Lai and friends were blasting off, six tour operators from the Central Asian nation were touching down at our city’s 40th International Travel Expo. One of them, Rocket Go Travel, is promoting five-day packages to view launches at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world’s largest spaceport. Company chief Vladimir Kalinin hopes the novelty will appeal to visitors: “We are probably the only travel agency that can offer such trips.” Kazakhstan could be the next must-see destination for our citizens: Cathay Pacific will launch its first direct flights to Almaty early next year, following on from John Lee’s official visit there earlier this month.
So much for space, air and land travel, what about sea? Well, China is poised to relax registration rules for Hong Kong yachts berthing in the Greater Bay Area – the integrated cross-border economic hub comprising Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities – meaning boat owners can go port-hopping free of red tape. Significant? Definitely, says Eric Fok, who spearheads development at the Mainland’s prestigious Nansha Marina: “Industry surveys showed more than 90% of superyachts in China were in Hong Kong, but all the waters were in China. This is a major step towards seamless yacht travel within the Bay Area.”
I’ve enjoyed hosting many globe-trotting public figures on Law & More, thus our first highlights package is a welcome chance to catch up on some of their unique recollections. As well, barrister Queenie Lau SC is my latest guest, reflecting on her career to date, while further episodes are in the pipeline featuring high-profile lawyer Ronald Sum and keynote speaker Michael Campion, previously a professional footballer.
Which, in closing, brings me back to the reason I’m in Dallas: cheering on England in their World Cup opener against Croatia this evening. Of course, my beloved team have not won football’s biggest prize since Neil Armstrong took his “giant leap for mankind”. Experience tells me to watch in hope rather than expectation.
Can England end 60 years of hurt? If we do, this writer will be – yes, you guessed it – over the moon.
Until next time, everybody!
Colin Cohen
Senior Partner
Boase Cohen & Collins
