China’s space program pioneer Liu Jiyuan has passed away at the age of 93 following an illness
China’s space program pioneer Liu Jiyuan has passed away at the age of 93 after a period of illness, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to the nation’s missile and aerospace initiatives.
Liu Jiyuan, a seasoned aerospace engineer and former leader of China’s space agency, has passed away at the age of 93 following an illness, concluding a career that spanned nearly four decades in China’s missile and space programs.
Liu commenced his professional journey in 1960 and subsequently played a pivotal role in the advancement of control systems for China’s inaugural generation of strategic weapons and launch vehicles.
His work established him as a foremost authority in missile and rocket control technology during a pivotal time in the advancement of China’s aerospace capabilities.
In 1992, Liu was designated as the deputy commander of China’s manned space program. The following year, he assumed leadership of the newly formed China National Space Administration, a role he maintained until his retirement in 1999.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced that Liu passed away on Monday after battling an illness. He was born in the year 1933.
His death follows just days after the passing of fellow aerospace pioneer Wang Xiji on August 12. Wang received recognition for his leadership in the development of China’s first sounding rocket.
Liu’s nearly four-decade career encompassed a pivotal era in China’s advancement of strategic weapons, launch vehicles, and its nascent space program, making a substantial impact on the nation’s aerospace sector.
