When a city celebrates its first astronaut, it is tempting to focus on the rocket. And why not? The launch itself is dramatic, the technology is extraordinary, and the images from orbit capture our imagination. Yet the most important journey often begins long before liftoff.

The selection of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s first female astronaut is a milestone not simply because it represents a remarkable achievement in women’s contribution to space exploration, but because it offers something equally valuable here on Earth: a powerful example of what is possible when education, curiosity, discipline, and ambition come together.

In an age dominated by instant success stories and carefully curated social media personas, there is something refreshing about a role model whose achievements are built on years of study, professional dedication, and perseverance out of the limelight. Lai Ka-ying is the first female Chinese civilian to reach outer space and the first astronaut from the HKSAR; her story reminds us that meaningful accomplishments rarely happen overnight. They are the result of countless hours of preparation, learning and training, and unwavering commitment.

Hong Kong has long been known for its entrepreneurial spirit, international outlook, and academic excellence. Yet many young people today are navigating a rapidly changing world filled with uncertainty. Questions about careers, technological disruption, and future opportunities are never far from their minds. Against this backdrop, the image of a 43-year-old Hong Kong woman preparing to travel into space sends a powerful message: There are no predetermined limits to where their talents can take them.

More importantly, it expands the definition of success.

For decades, many societies have celebrated a relatively narrow range of professional achievements. Today, however, the future increasingly belongs to those who can combine knowledge, adaptability, creativity, an exploratory spirit and lifelong learning. The skills required of an astronaut — critical thinking, resilience, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving — are not exclusive to the space program. They are qualities that benefit every profession, industry and community.

As someone who works in education and the arts, I saw firsthand how aspirations are formed and long-term goals are set. Children and young people rarely dream in isolation. Their ambitions are shaped by the examples they encounter around them. They look for people who demonstrate what is possible: that is why representation matters.

When young women see someone from Hong Kong entering one of the world’s most demanding and prestigious professions, it broadens their sense of possibility. It encourages them to imagine futures they may never have previously considered. Needless to say, not every girl who hears this story will become a scientist, engineer, or astronaut; that is not the point. The point is that they may become more willing to pursue challenging goals, to embrace curiosity, and to believe that their ambitions deserve to be taken seriously.

Role models do not determine our paths. They illuminate them.

What strikes me most about space exploration is that, despite all the advances in science and technology, it ultimately begins with something deeply human: imagination. Before there were astronauts, there were dreamers. Before there were spacecraft, there were people who looked at the night sky and wondered what lay beyond it.

Every major scientific breakthrough starts with a question. Every innovation begins with the courage to imagine a different future. In this sense, science and the arts have far more in common than people sometimes realize. As a theater practitioner, I spend much of my time encouraging people to imagine perspectives beyond their own experience. Actors step into unfamiliar worlds. Writers create possibilities that do not yet exist. Audiences are invited to see life through different eyes. Scientists and explorers engage in a similar process. They ask questions about what has not yet been discovered. They challenge assumptions. They seek new frontiers.

The journey into space may last days or months. The impact of inspiration can last a lifetime. Years from now, there may be students who choose careers in science because they saw someone from Hong Kong reach the stars

Creativity is not confined to studios, stages, or galleries. It is equally present in laboratories, research centers, and spacecraft. This is why investment in education, culture, and innovation should never be viewed as separate priorities. They are interconnected. A society that nurtures curiosity produces both artists and scientists. It develops individuals capable of solving problems, generating ideas, and contributing to the world in meaningful ways.

Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong’s first female astronaut, represents this intersection beautifully. Her achievement reflects academic excellence, scientific advancement, and personal determination. But it also reflects something less tangible and equally important: the willingness to dream beyond existing boundaries. The significance of this milestone extends beyond one individual and beyond one mission.

It speaks to the kind of future we want to build.

A future where young people are encouraged to explore, question, and innovate; a future where women are fully represented in fields that shape our collective progress; a future where success is measured not only by economic achievement but also by intellectual curiosity, social contribution, and the pursuit of knowledge.

The journey into space may last days or months. The impact of inspiration can last a lifetime. Years from now, there may be students who choose careers in science because they saw someone from Hong Kong reach the stars. There may be young women who develop greater confidence in pursuing ambitious goals because they witnessed this achievement. There may be future innovators, researchers, educators, and leaders whose journeys begin with this moment.

That is why this story matters. Not because one woman is leaving the gravitational pull of the Earth, but because countless others may now believe that their own horizons are wider than they imagined. And perhaps that is the greatest contribution of Lai’s breakthrough as Hong Kong’s first female astronaut.

The author is a writer, actress, director and the artistic director of Aurora Theatre, specializing in drama education and cross-cultural communication through the arts.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.