Zhang Rongqiao (Chinese: 张荣桥; born March 1966) is a Chinese physicist and aerospace engineer who is the chief designer of Tianwen-1, China's first mission to Mars.

Zhang Rongqiao
张荣桥
BornMarch 1966 (age 58)
Qimen, Anhui, China
Alma materXidian University
China Academy of Space Technology
Tsinghua University
Scientific career
FieldsElectromagnetic field
Microwave technology
InstitutionsLunar Exploration Center of the Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese

Biography edit

Zhang was born in the town of Anling [zh], Qimen County, Huangshan, Anhui province in March 1966. He secondary studied at Qimen No.1 High School. In 1984, he was accepted to Xidian University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1988.[1] In 1991, he graduated from China Academy of Space Technology with a Master of Engineering.[1] He received his EMBA degree from Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in 2002.[1]

Zhang joined the Beijing Institute of Satellite Information Engineering.[1] In 2004, he was transferred to the Lunar Exploration Center of the Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, where he serves as the chief designer of Tianwen-1, China's first Mars probe.[2] On May 30, 2021, he was elected as a member of the Standing Committee of the China Association for Science and Technology.[3]

Zhang was included in a list of ten scientists who had had important roles in scientific developments in 2021 compiled by the scientific journal Nature.[4]

In October 2022, Zhang was elected as an alternate member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party on the 20th Party Congress.

In 2023, Zhang was elected as an academician to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "嫦娥探月工程副总指挥:张荣桥" [Deputy Commander of Chang'e Lunar Exploration Project: Zhang Rongqiao]. qq.com (in Chinese). 29 September 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  2. ^ "火星发来问候,科学家激动落泪,中国航天今后靠谁?" [Mars sent greetings, and scientists were in tears. Who will China's spaceflight depend on in the future?]. qq.com (in Chinese). 16 May 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  3. ^ Dian Dian (点点) (2 June 2021). "光启刘若鹏与"天问一号"总师张荣桥等担任新一届中国科协常委" [Guangqi Liu Ruopeng and Chief Engineer Zhang Rongqiao of "Tianwen No. 1" will serve as members of the new Standing Committee of China Association for Science and Technology]. xhby.net (in Chinese). Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Nature's 10 Ten people who helped shape science in 2021". Nature. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  5. ^ "关于公布2023年中国科学院院士增选当选院士名单的公告". Chinese Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 28 November 2023.