A remote-sensing camera developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) aboard China’s Tiangong space station has released its first images of Hong Kong, marking a milestone in the city’s contribution to China’s national space program. The release of the images coincides with the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The camera, named Musico (Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory), was developed under the leadership of HKUST as part of a scientific payload aboard the space station. Musico is designed to detect carbon dioxide, methane, oxygen, and aerosols through its four optical sensors, making it the world’s first lightweight, high-resolution instrument capable of jointly identifying point sources of carbon dioxide and methane.

Professor Zhang Limin, head of the university’s department of civil and environmental engineering and co-leader of the camera project, said the images represented a “special gift” to China and Hong Kong ahead of National Day. He emphasized that the successful deployment of a Hong Kong-developed payload aboard the Tiangong station signals the city’s expanding role in China’s space exploration efforts.

Since becoming operational, Musico has conducted scientific observations for over three months and entered routine operations, according to HKUST. The camera has acquired data on more than 450 target regions worldwide, generating approximately 4.3 terabytes of information. This extensive dataset supports monitoring and research related to national and global climate governance.

Professor Su Hui, another project leader, described Musico as an “eye for space” that enhances Hong Kong’s participation in environmental monitoring efforts. She noted challenges in capturing clear images of the city due to persistent cloud cover and rainfall in Hong Kong and southern China during the summer months. Favorable weather ahead of National Day, however, allowed the camera to transmit clear images of the region back to Earth.

The Musico camera was installed and activated aboard the Tiangong space station by Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, a payload specialist on a crewed mission launched in May. Accompanying Lai on the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft were Colonel Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan. Last week, Lai delivered a Mid-Autumn Festival greeting to Hong Kong residents from space.

The successful deployment of Musico highlights Hong Kong’s growing involvement in China’s space program and its contribution to scientific and environmental research conducted from orbit.