Heads in the stars

By Li Yuan
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China Today, July 17, 2017
Adjust font size:

Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft is moved to its launch site at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Province on April 17, 2017. [Photo/China Today]



Yu Lei, chief of the electric group

Yu Lei, 34, is head of the electric section of the Tianzhou-1 research team. His involvement in the project began a decade ago, when he drew a draft of the cargo spacecraft in two days and nights. He was recruited as a researcher when China Academy of Space Technology inaugurated the manned space mission headquarters in 2010. He was later promoted to chief designer.

The Tianzhou project electric group which Yu heads handles every segment of the spacecraft involving power. This includes its fuel and information systems, software, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The latter, as Yu explained it, can be compared with the human meridian system in TCM, invisible but omnipresent throughout the physical body.

The design of these electric parts and systems – ranging from the power distribution system to the high-voltage lithium-ion battery – was extremely demanding because they differ from those on existing spacecraft. As the Chinese team had no point of reference, it had to start from scratch.

For instance, having scoured all available power modules they could find none that matched their desired specifications. The team therefore developed its own, which proved successful after repeated experiments. The 100-V thick-film power module they produced acted as the bed rock for high-voltage power transmission in Tianzhou-1. It thus marked a further step in China's independent development of core components for its spacecraft.

Each conduction test checked 10,000 or more nodes and took 2,000 hours. Yu and his team needed to be on the site throughout the whole process. "The aerospace program is systematic. As the late 'father of Chinese aerospace' Qian Xuesen once said, we must approach it from a holistic perspective and aim for the best result as a whole. As I was formerly a designer of separate units, my experience with Tianzhou-1 revealed the entire system to me," Yu said. This insight motivated him to expand his knowledge beyond that required solely for his department. "I work with electricity, but my knowledge needs to extend beyond that."

Yu Lei says he feels lucky to be alive in an age where China is building its own space station, so opening up infinite possibilities for the country's aerospace scientists. As busy as he is, Yu seldom posts any WeChat Moments. But on the day of the Tianzhou-1 launch he sent the message. "This is the moment I've been working towards for years, and today confirms that it was all worthwhile!"

Ren Liang, composite test director

"When young, I'd often look up at the starry sky and wonder if Chang'e really lived on the moon. This might have been my motivation for working in the aerospace sector," said 30-something Ren Liang, in charge of the composite testing section of the Tianzhou-1 program.

Ren was in the Tiangong-1 team before joining the Tianzhou program in 2013. His team of 12 worked on the spacecraft from the early days of sample monitoring through to its launch. "Composite testing could be compared with a physical checkup to assess the general state of a person's health. It periodically administrates the entire spacecraft. Any error in this process would cause irretrievable loss," Ren said.

Being of an innovative bent, the team introduced an automatic testing system that incorporates automatic interpretation software. It significantly improves testing efficacy and accuracy. Team members have also established a number of test paradigms, so paving the way for product serialization.

On April 20 Ren and his colleagues escorted Tianzhou-1 to the launch pad. He recalls feeling thrilled at the prospect of the launch. This was the first time he would witness one, despite having previously participated in several space missions. But he never complained about this as he saw himself as a just small component in the entire edifice of China's space program.

Bai Mingsheng, Yu Lei, and Ren Liang represent the legendary scientists who have made China's manned space mission program possible. They work diligently, day in and day out, towards making China an aerospace power.

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
   Previous   1   2  


Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:    
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter