AWARDEE OF TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES PRIZE

WANG YONGZHI

Abstract

Wang Yongzhi, an expert in astronautical system engineering, was born in an undistinguished family in Liaoning on Nov. 17, 1932. He studied in Department of Aviation Engineering, Tsing-Hua University in 1952, and then transferred to Moscow Aviation Institution in 1955 and received his excellent graduate and engineer title in 1961.  After his returning to China in 1961, he had worked for China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology(CAL T) for 30 years and held almost all the positions from   system engineer to General Designer of several launch Vehicles and the President of CALT.  Beginning from the end of 1991, he worked in different organizations at different time, in Ministry of Aerospace Industry he served as vice president of Science and Technology Committee, General Designer of Launcher Series, General Designer of Surface-to-surface Rocket Series, etc., and general designer of Manned Space Engineering Program in Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense(COSTIND).  He is a adjunct professor at several universities.  He was elected an academician of International Astronautical Academy and a foreign academician of Russian Konstantin Eduardowitsch Ziolkowski Academy in 1992, an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1994.
Between 1960' and 1970', he play an important role in Chinese first generation strategic rocket research and development. As General Designer Mr. Tu's right hand, he was in charge of parameter optimization and test-flight. In 1980', he became one of the leaders in next generation strategic rocket and launch vehicles development.  Space disasters in 1986 caused a launch capability crisis in international satellite launch services. He took advantage of this chance and dreamed that Chinese launchers could be a part of international market.  He was one of the initiators of Strap-on launcher, LM-2E, Chinese most powerful launcher at that time.  The program was developed under his leadership, it only took 18 months from drawing blue paper to erecting the launcher on the launch pad, and the first launch was very successful.  This success increase the lower earth orbit capability from 2.8 tons to 9.2 tons.  This breakthrough made his dream came true.
He was a scientist for Astronautical of the National High Technology Research and Development Project (“863” Project) from 1987 to 1991, then he was appointed group leader responsible for technical and economical feasibility study of Manned Space Engineering Program in 1992, including technical approaches and conceptual design of different system, budget prediction and successive tentative plan. After that he was constituted General Designer of that program by the Central Special committee and he has been working in that program since then.
His book “Launch of Synchronic Communication satellite” was a collaborated work with his wife. This book was written in their adversity and published in 1977. It was very helpful for LM-3 development and the first launch of Chinese Geostationary communication satellite.