In July 2024, Wu Meirong, a well-known aerospace science and technology expert in mainland China and academician of the International Academy of Astronautics, died at 5:20 on July 28 in Beijing at the age of 88 due to ineffective medical treatment.
Wu Meirong is one of the meritorious fathers of the mainland's aerospace industry, and she has devoted her life to the motherland's aerospace science and technology cause.
But just 3 years ago, this respected old man experienced a terrible nightmare, what happened?
Back on June 6, 2021, Zhang Tao, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Aerospace Investment Holding Company, invited two academicians, Wu Meirong and Wang Jinnian, to dinner.
All three are well-known figures in the aerospace industry: Zhang Tao is in charge of tens of billions of funds and has great power over many projects; Wu Meirong and Wang Jinnian are both academicians of the International Academy of Astronautics and are members of the presidium, and have the right to speak in the selection of academicians.
This was supposed to be a dinner party of celebrities in the aerospace industry, but during the dinner, Zhang Tao suddenly proposed to let the two academicians recommend him to be elected as an academician of the International Academy of Astronautics.
You must know that the academician of the International Academy of Astronautics is the highest honor in the aerospace industry and represents an outstanding contribution to the aerospace industry. Winning or not is a matter of reputation and status.
Zhang Tao's request surprised Wu Meirong and Wang Jinnian.
They politely refused, saying that the selection of academicians requires strict academic standards and needs to be further understood.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Tao was furious after hearing this, and actually started to move against Academician Wang Jinnian, and Wu Meirong suffered because she wanted to persuade her.
According to the hospital's diagnosis, Wu Meirong suffered a thoracic vertebra fracture and lumbar spondylolisthesis, and Wang Jinnian had multiple soft tissue contusions and multiple rib fractures.
Since then, Wu Meirong has been hospitalized and has suffered physical and mental trauma. Who would have thought that an academician who worked hard and dedicated to the country would encounter such an unwarranted disaster?
She has devoted herself to the fields of missiles, numerical control, Asian Games, and satellites four times, and has made indelible contributions to the important historical period of China's aerospace development with her extraordinary will and perseverance.
In 1960, Wu Meirong, who returned to China after completing her studies, was assigned to the Second Branch of the Fifth Academy of the Ministry of National Defense and started her aerospace career.
In the field of missile research, Wu Meirong quickly stood out and became an expert in the mainland's first-generation missile control system by virtue of her solid theoretical knowledge and outstanding engineering practice ability.
In the 60s of the last century, Wu Meirong led the team to complete a number of major projects: extending the life of missiles by 3 times, greatly shortening the preparation time for missile launches, and eliminating dozens of key technical failures...
Thanks to Wu Meirong's contributions, the great cause of "two bombs and one satellite" was smoothly realized, and the mainland entered the ranks of space powers.
In the 80s of the last century, Wu Meirong devoted herself to a new career. She was appointed deputy chief designer of the new generation missile control system, responsible for the development of the missile numerical control system.
At that time, the mainland lagged far behind the international level in this field, and even foreign experts once commented with disdain: "China is barely able to go to the sky, but what is on the ground is backward." ”
It was under such difficult conditions that Wu Meirong was ordered to lead the team to start a technological revolution of numerical control.
In the 90s of the last century, Wu Meirong, who was in her 50s, once again took on the heavy burden - the chief designer of the electronic service system of the Asian Games.
This is the first time that the mainland has undertaken a large-scale intercontinental multi-sport meeting, and the time is tight, the tasks are heavy, and the requirements are high, and the slightest mistake will be disgraced in the international community.
"Don't do this project, it's too dangerous, I'm going to jump off the building in an accident!"
Some well-wishers persuaded her. But Wu Meirong is determined to do it, because the task explained above must be completed no matter how difficult it is.
For this project, she and her team got up early and stayed up late, often working through the night.
In 1990, the Beijing Asian Games were held as scheduled, and the electronic information service system in charge of Wu Meirong performed perfectly, providing solid support for the success of the Asian Games.
Since then, the valuable experience of the Asian Games has also been used in major events such as Beijing's bid to host the Summer Olympics.
Entering the new century, Wu Meirong, who is over the age of six, is still working hard for the aerospace industry.
In 2000, the country launched the construction of the Earth observation system, and it is urgent to strengthen the reception, processing and application of satellite data. Wu Meirong was once again ordered to set up the China Resources Satellite Application Center.
In the early days of the business, the conditions were very difficult. Wu Meirong showed extraordinary entrepreneurial passion: running projects, raising funds, building bases, and engaging in cooperation, she was non-stop like a "spinning top".
Soon, the framework of the satellite application center was built, and a group of young scientific research talents gathered.
Under the leadership of Wu Meirong, the Satellite Application Center has achieved fruitful results in the field of remote sensing and has become the backbone of the national team.
After her retirement, Wu Meirong also served as the chief designer of the 04 satellite application system of the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite, and continued to do her best for the aerospace industry.
The death of Academician Wu makes us deeply sad, but what makes people even more sad is what happened to her before her death.
In recent years, there have been so many heart-wrenching incidents around us: doctors being slashed by patients, teachers being beaten by students' parents, bus drivers being violently attacked by passengers......
Devotees are often easily hurt because they are kind-hearted and can't bear to argue with each other. Therefore, we still have to take care of the safety of these personnel, and hope that everyone can treat things calmly and not be impulsive!
Today, Chang'e-6 has successfully brought back lunar soil, astronauts are soaring in the heavenly palace, Mars sample return, Tianwen-1, Xihe and other probes have been transmitted, and China's aerospace industry is booming day by day.
Academician Wu, your hard work has not been in vain! The motherland is soaring in the sky of scientific and technological innovation with a more high-spirited attitude. Your spirit and achievements will forever go down in history and illuminate future generations!
Resources:
1. Beijing News.2024-07-31 "Comrade Wu Meirong Passed Away"
2. Sina Finance.2021-07-03"The Secretary of the Party Committee of China Aerospace Investment Holding Co., Ltd. beats Wu Meirong and Wang Jinnian, two academicians"
3. People's Information.2021-07-05 "The chairman of the aerospace investment company was suspended: drunk and beat two academicians, but neither of them stopped him"
4. The Paper.2024-07-31"The world's first and only female aerospace science and technology expert Wu Meirong who was awarded the Feng · Carmen Award passed away"