The scientists and engineers behind the Chang'e I lunar probe,
plotting its path through the infinite expanse of space, are not
who you might expect.
The popular image of such brainiacs is one of aging men, bent
over work that is far beyond the grasp of mere mortals.
But there are few white hairs and grizzled beards here.
At the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC), where thousands
of instructions are sent to Chang'e I during its 380,000 km journey
to tweak its course, a new generation is leading the way.
"Most of the people working in the 274 key positions graduated
after 1994, and the average age of the main project managers is
30," Zhang Shengyuan, a senior official at the center, said.
Figures from the China Aerospace Science and Technology
Corporation (CASTC) show about two-thirds of the 10,000-strong
aerospace talent pool is made up of young people.
Between 1992 and 2003, the average age of rocket designers fell
by 18 years.
Qie Weijun, 26, who earned his master's degree from Tsinghua
University in 2005, is part of this new breed of young space
scientists.
He manages the telemetry group at the BACC, controlling how
messages are passed between the Earth and Chang'e I. The group
completed 800 programs, every one error-free.
"I'm so proud to be a part of this group, although I am a little
bit tired," Qie said.
But Qie is being modest. It reportedly took less than three
years to prepare the Chang'e I mission. This is a very short time
compared with the nine years it took Japan.
So why are there so many young people at the forefront of
China's space program?
From 1968 to 1982, there was a lack of graduates at CASTC due to
the "cultural revolution" (1966-76), Pan Houren, 70, the deputy
commander of the Shenzhou III spacecraft, said.
"So to make up for this, they now train the young people more
quickly," he said.
"The new generation of scientists specialize in innovation,"
Zhang said.
For instance, he said, the thermal control design for Chang'e I
had been a tough challenge.
The side facing the sun has a high temperature, while the other
side has a low temperature. As a result, it is hard maintaining a
thermal balance inside the satellite.
But Sun Zezhou, 37, deputy chief designer of the satellite, came
up with a solution.
He used a thermal conductive pipe to connect the two sides of
the satellite. This would transfer heat from one side to the other,
Zhang said.
But a lack of practical experience became an issue for the young
scientists, Qie said. So young workers usually bring notebooks and
take down the advice of older colleagues.
In the office of the BAAC, with the moon shining overhead, Zhang
likes to look out from behind the windows and watch the bustling
figures of the new generation.
"Looking at them is like looking at the future of China's
aerospace industry.
(China Daily November 8, 2007)