Chinese Scientists Contribute To US Mars Explorations

MARSDAILY

the red planet

Beijing - Jan 15, 2004
US Mars rover Spirit landed successfully on the Mars on Jan. 4. It is learned that there are over 300 Chinese scientists in US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). They are getting along well with scientists from various countries and have made great achievements.

According to report by Taiwan's TVBS, Chinese have played a key role in the endeavor of exploration into the Red Planet. Besides Chinese scientists, one of the founders of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is also a Chinese.

Shen Yuxian, an expert in charge of the communications and radar tracking in the Mars exploration, Chen Zhehui, flight director of the Mars mission, Liu Dengkai with the department of aeronautic electronics are all Chinese scientists participating in US Mars program.

The report cited the three experts on Mars research as saying that Chinese scientists made tremendous contribution to the Mars exploration, which can be traced back to half a century ago.

As Shen Yuxian, JPL communications and radar expert introduced, Qian Xuesen, the famous physicist who was dubbed as "Father of Rocket", is just one of the three founders of JPL. Shen said that Qian was in charge of the department responsible for ballistic simulation with mathematics. This history is often mentioned even till now. A US television station once made a documentary on Qian Xuesen.

Chen Zhehui, the flight director of the Mars mission, said that Mars naturally became the next objective after human beings landed on the moon. Presently in JPL, Chinese scientists from across the Straits totaled over 300. Every one of them is dedicated to the program in the hope that some day human beings can land on Mars and do in-depth exploration.

Chen Zhehui, who has been interested in space exploration since childhood, said that working in JPL makes his dream come true. If human beings can go to Mars some day, he would be a volunteer soldier. Once asked in an interview whether he has dreamed of going to Mars, Chen said: "They said they would give a chance of a next flight."

Liu Dengkai from the department of aeronautic electronics was a key figure in the program of Mars Pathfinder in 1997. He was in charge of the automatic control system such as positioning, rotation, descending and communications. He still remembers till now every meeting in which the group discussed every planned order in the past, every step of the spacecraft and every detail.

Additionally, it is learned that Dr. Wu Yilian, one of the most experienced scientist in charge of the Mars space experiment, has served the JPL for nearly 30 years from the Viking program in 1970s to Mars Pathfinder which descended on US National Day.

Wayne Lee, the chief engineer born in Lin County of China's Taiwan in charge of the landing system of the Mars explorer, is responsible for controlling the computer and receiving signals. Li, who went to the United States at the age of four, is an up-and-coming elite of the JPL.

Source People's Daily.

MARSDAILY

AFRL Computer Guides NASA Rovers to Mars

Kirtland AFB - Jan 12, 2004
Radiation-resistant computers developed here by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) helped not only steer one of NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers to the red planet last week, they also guided it to a safe and spectacular landing on Mar's rocky surface. Another landing is scheduled for later in the month.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.