Unfortunately, just ten days ago, the project's chief scientist and chief engineer -- Nan Rendong -- died from cancer at age 72. As his assistant recounts, the professor's passion and hands-on approach were inspiring to the team. CGTN's Rory Cohen introduces us to the man who chose to go FAST.

 

This picture shows the latest chat between Nan Rendong and his assistant. The conversation began at half past 5 o'clock in the morning, when the professor knew that FAST has for the first time realized steady tracking of standard radio sources from the universe and sent congratulations to his colleagues immediately.

 

JIANG PENG ASSISTANT OF NAN RENDONG, HEAD OF FAST DEBUGGING GROUP "He has a strong sense of mission and devoted almost all his time to the project."

 

It took 22 years from site selection to the completion of FAST. Last September, it achieved first light. During these years, the professor and his colleagues overcame numerous technical challenges. For example, the huge telescope cannot always move in line with researchers' observation targets. They thought up a solution: Make the reflecting panels move at any time. However, this required more rigorous technical standards for the supporting cables.

 

PROF. NAN RENDONG CHIEF SCIENTIST & CHIEF ENGINEER OF FAST PROJECT "Everytime we did routine tests, I would be present. We tried new ways together to solve problems for creating a new cable."

 

This footage shows the scenes when the seventy-year-old checked the hoisting platform. In the words of his assistant Jiang Peng: "Scientists in the FAST project always are specialists in one or two fields. But the professor was an all-rounder. Professor Nan almost knew everything in the project." Last September, the completion of the project was accompanied by more than 30 patents. However, the professor also was diagnosed with lung cancer at that time.

 

PROF. NAN RENDONG CHIEF SCIENTIST & CHIEF ENGINEER OF FAST PROJECT "Recalling the past, there were both bitter and sweet memories. You would feel frustrated or worried when you had setbacks. How to deal with it? You rely on the joint efforts of everyone to overcome difficulties. And sometimes, that's the work of generations. I merely am one part of it. The project is the efforts of a whole group of people."

 

Thank you very much and farewell, professor. CGTN.