Bu Junqing's Contribution —— The Birth of China Beidou Navigation Satellite

Beidou prequel:

From the humble guerrilla office on the third floor of an ordinary guest house in Beijing's North Third Ring Road to the seven Beidou navigation satellites in today's vast universe, the Beidou project has witnessed the ideals and setbacks, hardships and glory of China's space industry.

7 1 year-old Bu Jun Qing has a semi-old notebook. He opened it carefully and took out a newspaper. "Do you think this is negotiated between the United States and China?" Without glasses, Jun Qing, who is over 70 years old, can't read the words in the newspaper clearly, but with the shape of newspaper clippings, he still remembers the contents.

These newspaper clippings are all about Beidou navigation satellite. From the successful launch of the new satellite to the Sino-US negotiations, he cut them out and treasured them.

Twenty-five years ago, scientists in China began to develop China's own satellite navigation system. Later, this navigation system independently developed by China was named "Beidou". It has been more than 20 years since the initial "top secret" was gradually extended to civilian use. The former chief scientist has become a white-haired academician, and the theoretical founder of Beidou system has passed away.

In the past 20 years, Bu Jun Qing has grown from a staff officer of the China People's Liberation Army to a director of the Bureau of Surveying and Mapping of the General Staff and a deputy director of the Operations Department of the General Staff. Now he is a retired old man. As one of the sponsors of the project, he still remembers what happened more than 20 years ago.

One.

During the period of 1985, Bu was invited to participate in the "Global Positioning System International Application Seminar" held in Washington.

"The meeting was held from April 15 to April 18 in 1985." Although more than 20 years have passed, Bu Jun Qing still clearly remembers that specific date. Before leaving, Bu Junqing, who majored in astronomy and earth, had already understood the function and development of GPS. However, foreign experts' speeches at the meeting made Bu even more vigilant.

The American GPS system was born in 1973 and was developed by the US Department of Defense. At that seminar, the US military not only introduced the prospect and use of GPS, but also told the participants that the coding of GPS can be divided into military and civilian. Under special circumstances, in order to ensure national security, the military will take three measures to deal with emergencies: first, reduce the navigation accuracy of the other side; Second, transform coding at any time; Third, regional management. In other words, through the above three ways, the US military can restrict users at home and abroad from using GPS.

"These are all publicly said at the meeting. After I understand this, I feel that if we rely on this, then we are not subject to others. " Jun Qing recalled to the reporter of China Newsweek.

According to the information, Bu Jun Qing wrote a report, in which he wrote, "We should follow up the development and application of GPS and develop China's own satellite navigation system."

But this is just a dream, and I don't know how to study it.

In the same month, Bu was invited to attend another academic seminar. Chen Fangyun, a scientist from China, gave a very novel speech at the meeting-"Using two satellites can solve the problem of ground positioning", which was later summarized as "double-star positioning". BuQingJun sitting in the venue, suddenly realized that this seems to be used to carry out the research of China navigation system. He found Shen Rongjun, then deputy director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, and expressed his thoughts. The two hit it off.

BuQingJun was encouraged to go directly to Chen Fangyun's home. After explaining his purpose, Chen Fangyun told him, "In fact, we have studied it ourselves for two years." As a famous electronic expert, the research of Chen Fangyun and other colleagues in the past two years has become the basic theory of the future Beidou project.

After the initial communication, Chen Fangyun began to introduce the scientists who studied this theory to Bu Jun Qing. They organized a theoretical explanation meeting in a hotel near Huangsi in Beijing. "Everyone thought it was ok, so we decided to start preparing for the feasibility study." Cloth Jun Qing said.

In March of the following year, Bu Jun Qing drafted a report, asking the country to start studying the double-star positioning system. A month later, the competent department of the state held a feasibility demonstration meeting. "There are quite a few people attending the meeting. The Ministry of Railways, the Telecommunications Bureau, the Ministry of Communications and the Forestry Bureau all went. " But Jun Qing changed his tone. "However, there is little support and still a lot of cold water."

People put forward three questions: first, since there is GPS, why do you need to do this kind of binary positioning? Second, can our technical level be achieved? Third, do we have economic strength?

"What everyone said is really a real problem. There are many discussions from here to later, and there are different opinions. In retrospect, I am very grateful for these opinions, so we must be very cautious. " Cloth Jun Qing said.

The doubts of the participants are not unreasonable. The GPS system in the United States was developed from 1973, which cost tens of billions of dollars and promised to provide services to the whole world. At this time, China has been out of the Cultural Revolution for less than ten years, and the national economy is still in a difficult situation, lacking human and material resources.

The meeting had a heated discussion and debate. Finally, from the perspective of national strategy and national security in a special period, everyone realized the importance of independent research and development of navigation system and the significance of satellite measurement means to national defense construction and scientific research construction. Soon, the team involved in research and development listed 17 major original experimental projects.

After that, these scientists were immersed in theoretical deduction and special experiments for eight years from 1986 to 1994.

Two.

For most ordinary people, satellites are full of mystery.

"In fact, the satellite is equivalent to the message tree in the past. Plant a tree on the highland, and when the Japanese devils come, people will pull it down and people on the other side will see it. " Sun Jiadong, the chief engineer of Beidou navigation system engineering and a scientist known as the "father of satellites" in China, told the reporter of China Newsweek, "This is information transmission. Satellites have two other functions, namely information acquisition and navigation. "

Satellite navigation is the most complicated problem in these applications. According to scientists' calculations, if 24 satellites are launched around the earth, forming three different orbital planes and weaving them into a network, people can see four stars at the same time whenever and wherever. The research and development of GPS system in America is based on this principle.

In contrast, China scientist Chen Fangyun proposed that only two satellites can complete the most basic positioning function. "This is based on China's own needs and economic strength," Sun Jiadong said. "At that time, China had just carried out reform and opening up, and its economic strength was not enough. Moreover, there was no need to design a global system at that time. "

Therefore, scientists began to study the satellite navigation system used only in China. Since people reached an agreement at the meeting of 1986, the research of navigation projects began to apply for scientific research funds from different departments. However, the official establishment of Beidou project waited until 1994.

1994, all the preliminary demonstration work was basically completed, and the expert group began to write the project application. Because measurement is guidance, this China navigation plan is named "Beidou".

This project is not always smooth sailing.

The first obstacle encountered is the funding problem that has been puzzling scientists since the beginning of research and development. 1995, relevant departments reported the Beidou plan to the State Council. The State Council gave instructions on the plan at that time. "The instructions say that this plan is very important, but it also says that the money may not be that much. Is it possible to consider pre-research first? " Jun Qing recalled to the reporter of China Newsweek.

The so-called pre-research means that the state allocates a small amount of funds to carry out tentative pre-research work, but it cannot provide enough funds to ensure the completion of the project.

After learning this instruction, Jun Qing couldn't sit still. That night, he called the person in charge of the State Council. On the phone, he said earnestly, "We can't do pre-research. This project has reached this stage. If you do pre-research, it is tantamount to ruining this project. "

Wang's leader advised him not to worry on the phone. At the regular meeting of leaders two days later, he told everyone what BuQingJun thought on the phone. After careful consideration, everyone thinks that we should apply for formal projects as much as possible.

At that time, two other satellite plans in China had been confirmed, and each plan had a backup star index. After discussion, we decided to allocate the backup star indicators of the first two plans to the Beidou plan. "We have discussed it with two satellite planning teams many times. If you hit (the satellite) successfully, you don't need a backup star. If you can't fight, you must keep looking for problems. So, give it to us first. " Tan Shusen, one of the pioneers and founders of China satellite navigation and deputy chief engineer of Beidou Project, smiled and recalled to the reporter of China Newsweek.

Such a leap made the initial project of Beidou plan no longer need separate funding, and this new satellite navigation plan was finally formally established. At this time, the GPS system in the United States has gone through almost twenty years, and the overall system has completed the network deployment and officially began to provide services to the world. The GLONASS navigation system developed by Russia itself is already under construction.

Three.

The problem followed.

Since the demonstration of 1985, the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has been engaged in the design of satellites in the Beidou project. When the Beidou project was officially established, it just happened to catch up with the launch of the "Shenzhou" spacecraft. As a result, the task suddenly increased. In this context, relevant departments hope to move the work of Beidou project to Shanghai.

And if you move to Shanghai, the research work basically needs to start all over again.

"This is also the second half of 1995. This year ..... "Recalling the past, many people can't help but sigh. At that time, this adjustment was not discussed with the General Staff Bureau of Surveying and Mapping. After BuJunQing knew it, he directly called the secretary of Cao Gangchuan, then deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army. "Please report to Vice President Cao that you can't agree to this adjustment, otherwise it will destroy the plan." Later, BuQingJun directly found Cao Gangchuan, stating the disadvantages of moving, and striving for the understanding and support of the head.

The plan to move to Shanghai was not implemented in the end. At this time, relevant experts have been transferred to Beijing. However, these scientists who study the vast universe don't even have a suitable office. "At that time, the house was very tight, and all the guerrillas came." Tan Shusen, deputy chief designer of Beidou system, said. The original office of Beidou project is located on the third floor of the guest house of the General Staff Bureau of Surveying and Mapping.

"It's less than half the size of my office now." Tan Shusen pointed to his 40-square-meter room and said. When he arrived, there were five people in the office, and the desk could only accommodate a narrow space.

What is lacking is not only office facilities, but also talents. Bu Jun Qing once discussed with the president of Harbin Institute of Technology, hoping that the other party could provide several doctoral students for the Beidou project. The other party is very frank. "You pick people, they are willing to go, and I will let them go." Cloth Jun Qing soon sent someone to Harbin Institute of Technology. Every doctoral candidate will ask two questions, "How much is the salary? Can you solve the housing? "

Just as they were negotiating with the doctoral students, a Guangdong company came to recruit, with a monthly salary of 5 thousand and another house. A month later, none of Bu Junqing's subordinates were recruited, and only four or five undergraduates were willing to go to Beijing.

The leaders feel that the housing problem must be solved, otherwise there is no way to attract talents. So, on the one hand, I started to build dormitory buildings, on the other hand, I started to run to the Beijing Planning Bureau and put forward the land needed to build the Beidou project terminal. The Planning Bureau generously said, "You are a confidential unit. Which one does Shunyi want? Let's arrange it. " The leader in charge said it was too far away and was not satisfied. The other party said, "Well, it's just north of Shahe, any one will do."

"We want to go underground."

"Actually, I have already seen it, so I chose Shangdi." Now, Jun Qing is coming to the reporter of Newsweek in China. However, the planning near Shangdi has been completed and cannot be changed. Bu Jun Qing coordinated with the person in charge of the space city near Shangdi, and allocated two nearby plots as working and living areas under the condition of water and electricity.

I remember it was1997 65438+1October 16. Three days before the Spring Festival, the capital for the Beidou ground center was finally finalized.

Four.

But everything is far more complicated than imagined.

While the decision-making layer and the command layer are busy with this project, the scientists of Beidou R&D team have been doing their own work. The goal they set for themselves is to "guarantee eight for seven"-the launch time of the first satellite is guaranteed 1998, and strive to arrive at 1997 in advance.

Because the basic theory of Beidou system is double-star positioning, the third point on the ground needs accurate ground elevation, that is, accurate data of ground height distribution. For scientists, these altitude data are an extremely huge digital project. "We have 30 years of massive surveying and mapping data, but these data are all paper-based and must be all digitized." A senior expert from the General Staff Bureau of Surveying and Mapping recalled, "This requires a powerful computer. But at that time, it was very difficult to own such a computer. "

In the memory of Major General Yuan Shuyou, director of the Bureau of Surveying and Mapping of the General Staff Department, this huge digital project began with 1996. "At that time, our Galaxy computer could not meet the demand, and experts still suggested buying foreign equipment." Yuan Shuyou told the reporter of China Newsweek. Finally, the supercomputer launched the Beidou project.

At the beginning of the preparation of Beidou system, these scientists who are already familiar with GPS put forward requirements for themselves. "Navigation accuracy should be high, and we must have our own innovation." Tan Shusen, deputy chief designer of Beidou system, said. The innovation he refers to refers to the unique short message communication function of Beidou system that GPS does not have.

"This short message function of 120 is sometimes very important, and users can contact each other. For example, during the Wenchuan earthquake, all communications were broken, and the rescue team relied on this function. " An academician expert told China Newsweek truthfully.

In addition, scientists have also set a standard for navigation response, and feedback must be given within 5 seconds. "In fact, 5 seconds will be a long time, so we must start from the user's point of view. If there is no navigation display after a few minutes, you must think that the machine is broken. So from the beginning, we set a standard of 5 seconds. " Tan Shusen said.

In order to meet these standards, the launch time of Beidou satellite was delayed for two years. It was not until June 5438+ 10 in 2000 that the first satellite of Beidou navigation system was officially put into orbit. Chen Fangyun, the theoretical founder of Beidou system, died of illness six months ago.

"When he died, I went to his house. Alas ..... "BuQingJun old man sighed. Chen Fangyun finally failed to see his theory come true.

After two months, the second satellite was successfully launched. At this moment, it has been 15 years since the Beidou project put forward its theory and launched a satellite into the sky.

While initially realizing the concept of double-star positioning, Sun Jiadong, the head teacher of Beidou, began to put his worries on the table. "At that time, I was worried about what to do if one of the two stars was broken. I think this problem is very difficult, and I have to report to the leader anyway. " Memories of China Newsweek reporter Sun Jiadong. So, after application, two backup stars were reissued. When everything seemed to be going well, trouble came again. After the successful launch of a satellite connected between the first and second phases of Beidou, it suddenly lost all power and was completely scrapped. To this end, the research group urgently formulated a plan called "Taishan Plan", which lasted until the end of that year to ensure the smooth handover of the first and second phases of Beidou Plan.

From June 5438 to February 2003, Beidou system was officially opened and began to provide services to domestic users. As a measurement technology, although the application of Beidou system is far from perfect, users who used to rely on GPS for timing navigation have another choice, which is of great long-term significance in terms of national strategy and economic benefits.

In February 2007, the second generation demonstration meeting of Beidou was held, and many retired leaders still attended the meeting. At the meeting, experts announced after evaluation that the annual output value of Beidou system may reach 50 billion when deploying 12 satellites.

Nowadays, the navigation time service mode of China Army has gradually changed from GPS to Beidou, and Beidou system has gradually been tried in civil fields such as finance, electric power, fishery and forest fire prevention. 20 10 12 18, Beidou system successfully launched the seventh satellite. At present, Beidou system has entered the peak period of satellite launch networking. According to the plan, by 2020, Beidou will become a satellite navigation system that serves the whole world like GPS. The Chinese nation, which has contributed "Sina" to mankind, has entered the space age of positioning and timing through the Beidou plan.