HONG KONG - Tiangong-1/Shenzhou IX space mission delegation comprising of Chinese astronauts and scientists shared their knowledge and experience concerning aerospace with some 500 students from eight Hong Kong universities on Sunday.

Tiangong-1/Shenzhou IX space mission delegation share their feelings with some 500 students from eight Hong Kong universities on Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua]

At the appearance of the delegation in the school hall of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) this afternoon, applause broke out among students. This is the second visit for some of the delegation members who visited the city after the successful completion of Shenzhou-7 spacecraft mission in 2008.

"This is the second time I came here," veteran astronaut Jing Haipeng said, "four years ago, together with other Shenzhou-7 delegation members, I shared my experience in space with students of this university in the same school hall."

Jing Haipeng, who was also aboard Shenzhou-7 in 2008, said it was really exciting to be here, "I'm feeling like encountering old friends again."

The three astronauts successfully docked Shenzhou IX spacecraft with the orbiting Tiangong-1 lab module during their space mission in June, which is a new chapter in China's program to build a space station.

Joseph Jao-Yiu Sung, Chancellor of CUHK, welcomed the visit of the delegation, and said cooperation on aerospace science and technology has been conducted among mainland and Hong Kong scientists, and he looked forward to further cooperation.

Zhou Jianping, designer-in-chief of manned space program showed gratitude to the Hong Kong scientists and engineers who contributed to the success of China's first manned space docking mission.

"I hope in the future, along with the further development of science and technology on space station, more and more scientists from Hong Kong could participate in the process," he said.

The students were interested not only in space technology, but also curious about what the astronauts ate in their spacecraft.

Jing Haipeng told them he liked the tasty and nutritious food prepared by experts based on their preferences. He said he likes spicy food, so chili sauce was always added to his food. They even enjoyed scrambled eggs with shrimps while in orbit.

"Are you willing to take another manned space flight?" asked a student of CUHK.

All three astronauts said they were prepared to travel into space again. Liu Wang, who controlled the Shenzhouc IX spacecraft to dock with the Tiangong-1 space lab module, and Liu Yang, the first female Chinese astronaut, said it was not only their responsibility but their honor to conduct missions. Liu said he is prepared to travel to space, to the moon and to the Mars whenever the country needs him.

Jing said his career lies in manned space missions and he is ready to take up the challenge of traveling to space for a third time.

The three astronauts arrived in Hong Kong on Friday for a four-day trip at the invitation of CY Leung, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Administrative Region.