Background
Wang Liheng was born in 1938 in Zhengjiang, Jiangsu Province.
礼恒 王
Wang Liheng was born in 1938 in Zhengjiang, Jiangsu Province.
Wang graduated in 1962 from Shanghai Jiaotong University specializing in missile propulsion. Since then he has been engaged in research into missile propulsion technology and aerospace engineering management.
Wang led the technical breakthrough and the eventual development of China’s first solid motor for a coastal defense missile, which was successfully implemented in China’s antiship missile system. Later he worked as the director of the ‘Five-Satellite Working Group’ in the Ministry of Aerospace Industry in 1990 and achieved complete success, launching five satellites in one year for the first time by using system engineering management.
As vice commander of China’s first Manned Space Flight Program during 1999–2002, he was in charge of the development and testing of the manned spaceship and launch vehicle, and contributed to the successful launch and recovery of the Shenzhou-1 and 2 spaceships. Shenzhou-1 was designed mainly to test five particular technologies, namely, spaceship section connection and separation, posture moderating and braking technology, lifting control technology, heat insulation technology, and recovery technology. Shenzhou-2 tested the whole flight from launch, through orbit to return, and further verified the compatibility of all systems. The success of launching and recovering these two spaceships has laid solid foundations for the development of China’s space projects.
During his professional career, Wang has led and implemented many major aerospace projects of national significance. He was the person primarily responsible for the maiden flight of key defense equipment, completing successful tests, proposal log, phased development, and launches of five new satellites. In 2003, Wang was elected a member of the CAE. Founded in 1993, the CAE is a national, independent organization whose elected members are those of the highest honor in the professional engineering and technological sciences in China. Along with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAE not only promotes research and development in scientific fields, but also provides the country with scientific data and advice for government policymaking.