Wang Yongzhi was the first chief designer of China's manned space project and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. On September 21, 1992, this is a date that can be recorded in the history of China's aerospace industry, on this day, China's manned space project was officially established, the project code name is "921", Wang Lao was officially appointed as the chief designer of the manned space project, that year, he was exactly 60 years old.
"The proposer has an unshirkable responsibility"
The top priority of manned spaceflight projects is to ensure the personal safety of astronauts. At that time, various countries in the world would conduct many large animal experiments before sending people to space, in order to be cautious. If we go back down this path, the time and economic costs are huge, but if we do not conduct large animal experiments, it is definitely a huge test for the chief designer to ensure the safety of astronauts. At this time, Wang Yongzhi carried the pressure down, and he decided not to do big animal experiments and go directly to heaven.
Wang Ning: People in other countries make animals, so we don't do it, we go from no one to someone.
Wang Yongzhi: You have to make a bold leap, I simply came out like you as soon as I came out, and I made such a determination at that time, as soon as the Chinese spaceship came out, it was the world level. Why is this possible? Just take advantage of the latecomer advantage, you do it first, I do it later, I can do many things to avoid, cross, jump over.
Wang Ning: This also requires courage and great wisdom.
Wang Yongzhi: The main thing is to make up our minds to assume this responsibility, and finally, it is the joint meeting of the two general meetings, that is, the chief commander, the deputy commander-in-chief, the chief designer, and the deputy chief designer jointly meet and finally make decisions. But the decision-making power is clearly up to one person to propose what to do. The proponents have an unshirkable responsibility. No matter how many people discuss it, the proposers and advocates are primarily responsible.
It's not easy to achieve results
Because of the depth of investment, Wang Yongzhi still can't hide his excitement when recalling the details of spaceflight, and when it comes to successfully sending the manned spacecraft to the sky, it is completely inseparable from the Long March series of carrier rockets independently developed by the mainland. How to improve the carrying capacity of Chinese rockets was a difficult problem that Wang Lao took the lead in overcoming at that time.
Without providing relevant satellite technology, the "long second bundle" must conduct a normal flight test before June 30, 1990, which is the most difficult hard battle Wang Yongzhi has encountered in his life. From 440,000 drawings to a soaring "long two bundles", there are countless hardships and even sacrifices along the way.
Wang Ning: I saw one of your notebooks, 1972 notebooks, and I found that in it you came up with the concept of rocket binding.
Wang Yongzhi: Huang Zuoyi proposed the "long second bundle", and as soon as I told me, the results of the calculation were obvious, and the effect of relying on vertical grading was no longer great, and there was no future. If you want to break through the carrying capacity, you must add lateral boosts. In October 1986, Hughes came to the Ministry of Aerospace with a team, coordinated, how to hit his satellites, you see how positive.
Wang Ning: The first one to get a commercial contract, but the other party will also be a little nervous at that time, right? Insurance companies are a little reluctant to insure.
Wang Yongzhi: I didn't dare to do it, and at this time, like when I was the dean, I was impatient. Because the principle of the ministry is that you can't get a loan without a contract, and you delay it again and again, but in 1988, Hughes and Australia agreed to launch Australian satellites with China's "long two bundles", and on November 1, the contract was signed.
Fulfilling the dream, "My more magnificent career is still to come"
From the successful launch of Shenzhou 5 to the smooth return of Shenzhou 13, the mainland has successfully launched 8 manned spacecraft, and 13 Chinese astronauts have visited the vast universe. From 1992 to 2022, China's manned spaceflight project has gone through a full 30 years, and the "three-step" plan originally envisioned by Wang Lao will be completed in 2022.
"The rocket is nine times on the clouds, and the thunderbolt is shocked and the sky is long." From developing missiles to transporting satellites to the sky, to sending Chinese to travel in space, Elder Wang has realized the "three steps" of his life. Today, Wang Lao's children and grandchildren are also devoted to the cause of aerospace, he said, "My more magnificent career is still to come." ”
Wang Ning: These three steps, exactly 30 years, are quite long.
Wang Yongzhi: The decision at that time was to cultivate a team, and as a result, a manned space spirit was also cultivated, and you see how well they are doing now, I am particularly pleased with one thing, and I have been working until now, it has been almost 30 years, and we have been safe. The United States and the Soviet Union sacrificed a total of twenty-two or three astronauts.
Wang Ning: Would you tell your grandson something about what you expected of him or what you wanted of him?
Wang Yongzhi: I think the most important thing is that we can really seriously study and understand the spirit of "two bombs and one satellite" and the spirit of manned spaceflight created by the older generation, and I think that with these, our cause can continue to develop and continue to carry forward.
Wang Ning: You are really the home of aerospace, do you have any special family training?
Wang Yongzhi: The needs of the country are our ideals and aspirations. Fulfill the dream flying, realize the dream, continue to realize the dream.
From manned spacecraft to space laboratories to permanent space stations that have been cared for for a long time, Wang Lao's vision eventually became a "three-step" strategy for China's manned space project. "Fly straight up to eight thousand feet, and only one hand to pluck the clouds and look at the sea." This is a poem that Mr. Wang Yongzhi gave to astronaut Yang Liwei before Shenzhou 5 went to heaven. Under this heroic poetry, it is the heavy pressure borne by Elder Wang.
From the reverse thinking of Dongfeng 2 to the miniaturization and lightweighting of Dongfeng 5 now, Wang Yongzhi has always been at the forefront of innovation. "I must act according to the needs of the country and the interests of the country, and I must not be localist, let alone individualistic, but in accordance with the interests of the country."
The Central Radio and Television Corporation specially launched "My Family, My Country" to pay tribute to the oldest laborers, listen to their feelings and practices that they have struggled for all their lives, and transmit inexhaustible spiritual motivation.
More exciting content will be broadcast on the CCTV News Channel, CCTV News Client and New Media in the 2022 May Day Evening Program, so stay tuned!
Source: CCTV news client