Ji Wu
Biography & lecture abstract
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Ji Wu was born in Beijing, China (1958). He studied electrical engineering at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications. He obtained his PhD in 1993 from the Technical University of Denmark. During 1985–1986, he also worked at ESA-ESTEC in the field of multi-beam antenna for communication satellites. During 1987–1989, he taught antenna theory and design at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications. In 1995, he joined the Center for Space Science and Applied Research (CSSAR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing. Since then he has worked in the field of microwave remote-sensing theory and technology and also in space science and exploration programs. Among others, he and his team successfully developed a series of interferometric microwave radiometers. He was the chief designer and project manager of the application system of the joint collaboration China-Europe Double Star Program, project manager of the scientific payload subsystem of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program - Chang'E-1 satellite. He is now the Chief Scientist of the Yinghuo-1 mission, which is the first Chinese mission to Mars. Dr. Wu is the author of 10 patents, more than 40 domestic and international publications and one translated book.
Lecture: Overview of the Chinese Yinghuo-1 Mission to Mars
Compared to other planets, Mars is the most similar planet to the Earth and the most likely to harbor extraterrestrial life, and therefore is of special interest to human beings. In recent years, several countries have launched Mars missions and announced their manned Mars exploration programs. China has become the fifth country in the world to launch independently artificial satellites, and the third country able to carry out an independent manned space program. However, China is just at the beginning of deep space exploration. In 2007, China and Russia signed an agreement on a joint Mars exploration mission consisting of sending the Chinese micro-satellite Yinghuo-1 (YH-1) to be placed into Mars orbit. Once YH-1 enters its orbit, it will carry out its own experiments, as well as joint exploration with the Russian Phobos-Grunt spacecraft. This presentation will summarize the scientific background and objectives of YH-1 and describe briefly its payload for accomplishing the scientific objectives. In addition, the main exploration tasks of YH-1 and a preliminary outlook of its expected results, will also be given.
Last Update: 1 September 2019
