The deportation of Quian Xuesen from the US to China in 1955, on unproven charges he was a spy during the McCarthy witch hunt, was the beginning of China’s missile and space expertise.
He lobbied the Chinese government to formulate a 12-year plan.
Initially, priority was given by Deng Xiao Ping to the development of missiles.
However, in 1965 a proposal was adopted to put a 100 kg satellite in orbit by 1971.
In 1970, the first satellite was successfully placed in orbit.
Quian was a top rocket scientist trained in the US. He was assisted by other experts trained in Germany, France, and England.
Poser- But how was it possible for them to work and send the satellite to orbit amid the turmoil created by the Cultural Revolution [1966–1976]?
Lwh,
Chap Goh Meh
12 Feb 2025
