China Space Exploration: Chief architect of China's space lab system receives top prize

World
Europe

02:04

Thirty Chinese scientists received the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award, which is considered the top prize in the field of engineering science and technology in the country. Among them was the chief architect of China's space lab system, Yang Hong. Wang Qiwei has more.

"Carrying home from earth to space." This is how Yang Hong described his job. From the spacecrafts Shenzhou1 to Shenzhou5, Yang has witnessed the country's milestones in manned space missions. And his efforts have paid off.

YANG HONG, CHIEF ARCHITECT OF SPACE LAB SYSTEM CHINA AEROSPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION "Receiving the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award is not only my personal honor, but also a reward and encouragement for all the members of China's manned space programs."

Many may think that scientists who work for space programs are a group of grey-haired geeks, but Yang has a dynamic team, with an average age of only 34 years old.

He believes that everyone plays an important role in the smooth running of the space programs. China has a three-step strategy for the programs, with the last step being building a space lab around 2022. The country started the construction of the space lab from scratch. And as the chief architect of this system, Yang has shouldered heavy responsibilities.

YANG HONG, CHIEF ARCHITECT OF SPACE LAB SYSTEM CHINA AEROSPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION "We will develop and send one core module and two experiment modules to space. Together they will form a T-shape structure, which weighs nearly 100 tons. When the space lab is put into operation, we will conduct scientific experiments to serve the country's strategic development."

In 1995, China was left out of the International Space Station project, which included 16 countries. And now the country has developed the research technology for its whole space station system. With the International Space Station set to retire in 2024, China will possibly be the only country with a permanent space station by then. WQW, CGTN.