Qian Xuesen, Father of Chinese Rocketry, dies at 98
- Source: Global Times
- [14:00 October 31 2009]
- Comments
Qian Xuesen
Qian Xuesen, a famous Chinese scientist known as the "Father of Chinese Rocketry", died on October31 in Beijing at the age of 98.
He is a member of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering and a major scientist in the missile and space programs of China.
He was born in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in 1911. He graduated from the Jiao Tong University in 1934 and in August 1935 Qian Xuesen left China to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later at California Institute of Technology.
Qian obtained his doctorate in 1939 and ultimately became the Goddard Professor and established a reputation as one of the leading rocket scientists.
He returned to China in 1955 and led the Chinese rocket program, and became known as the "Father of Chinese Rocketry" (or "King of Rocketry").
In 2008, he was named Aviation Week and Space Technology Person of the Year for his greatest impact on aviation.
In 2008, China Central Television named Qian as one of the eleven most inspiring people in China.
Asteroid 3763 Qianxuesen was named after him in honour of his contribution to science.
Forum: Photos show Qian Xuesen's whole life
