Let Domestic Large Aircraft Go Global -- The Story of Outstanding Graduate Kang Zeyu

"Erudite and prudent in thinking, discerning and practicing."

"Take responsibility and face challenges."

 

Today, let's approach Kang Zeyu, a doctoral candidate from the Academy of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The four years of doctoral studies at Jiaotong University gave Kang Zeyu the confidence and courage to embark on a romantic dream of exploring the sky and contribute to the cause of the motherland's large aircraft industry.

 

To be a researcher of "walking on two legs"

In April 2019, Kang Zeyu graduated with a master's degree and came to Shanghai Jiaotong University to pursue his doctoral degree under the guidance of Professor Wu Shufan. When he first enrolled, he was very nervous about his research direction and didn't know how to carry out it. Professor Wu taught him that as a doctoral student at Shanghai Jiaotong University, he should first closely combine his pursuit with the national mission, and on this basis strive to become a "walking on two legs" researcher.

 

Figure 1: Kang Zeyu and his mentor Professor Wu Shufan

 

The "two legs" mentioned by Professor Wu are, on the one hand, research and practical projects of the research group, and on the other hand, solid and in-depth theoretical direction. Kang Zeyu has participated in a number of research and practical projects of the research group. As the chief student attitude control engineer, he participated in the in-depth research of the first student satellite of Shanghai Jiaotong University, "SJTU Siyuan 1". "SJTU Siyuan 1" is a standard 3U cubic star, with 80% of the single machines independently developed by Professor Wu Shufan's team of students. Currently, it has been in orbit for over a year.

 

Speaking of this satellite, what impressed Kang Zeyu most was the calibration of the onboard magnetometer. At around two o'clock in the morning of the Mid Autumn Festival in 2021, he and his classmates calibrated the small satellite magnetometer on the lawn of the Electrical Institute in Minhang Campus (to minimize the impact of the environment on calibration) according to a pre planned plan, greatly improving the ability of the "SJTU Siyuan 1" small satellite to survive and control in orbit. When the small satellite that I deeply participated in the development sent a signal from remote space, and the analysis showed that the satellite was in normal condition. Kang Zeyu jumped up happily at the ground station monitoring point, "I'm so excited. Our biggest concern is the energy issue of the small satellite. When we saw the satellite's solar sail pointing towards the sun, the satellite finally had a steady stream of power. I was relieved that our attitude and orbit control has finally become the most important step."

 

Figure 2: Kang Zeyu (second from right) and his classmates are calibrating the onboard magnetometer

 

Deeply involved in satellite research and development, Kang Zeyu deeply realized the relationship between theory and engineering practice. Theory supports practice, but practice is not limited to theory. Only by continuously discovering problems, solving problems, iterating multiple times, and organically combining the two can domain challenges be solved.

Recently, he participated in the development of the second small satellite and completed separation experiments under multiple operating conditions. Subsequent development is still under intense progress, and further scientific observation is about to be carried out.

 

Figure 3: Group photo of Professor Wu Shufan's intelligent satellite team at the small satellite launch ceremony

in October 2021 (Kang Zeyu, second from left in the front row)

 

In academic research, Kang Zeyu never relaxed. At the end of the "SJTU Siyuan 1" satellite engineering project, he applied for the doctoral joint training program of the Scholarship Fund, and was approved to study and work in the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Toronto, Canada. He studied under Professor Christopher J. Damaren, an academician of the Canadian Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Director of the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Toronto.

 

Under the guidance of his mentor, Professor Wu Shufan, associate professor Shen Qiang, and external advisors, Kang Zeyu mastered the methods and attitudes of engaging in scientific research, trained his writing skills in scientific papers, and developed the ability to conduct independent scientific research.

 

He treats scientific research issues with a erudite, thoughtful, discerning, and pragmatic attitude, actively tracking the forefront and development direction of research at home and abroad, broadening his horizons, fearing no setbacks, and using the resilience of scholars to climb academic peaks. Finally, his research results were received and presented orally by the American Control Conference (ACC), a top international conference in the field of control, as well as by top international journals in the field of aerospace.

 

Figure 4: Kang Zeyu and Professor Christopher J. Damaren

 

Kunpeng spreads its wings, making people fascinated by the glorious moment

Kang Zeyu's dream of space began when he was a child. Many of his family members worked in the field of aerospace, and he was deeply influenced from his childhood. After the college entrance examination, he resolutely applied for an aerospace related university.

 

In July 2020, Kang Zeyu had the first opportunity to visit the launch of a rocket on the spot. The launch took place in Wenchang, Hainan Province, with the Long March 5 Yaosi carrier rocket launching China's first Mars exploration mission, the Tianwen 1 probe, which is of epoch-making significance in the history of China's aerospace industry.

 

Figure 5: "Tianwen 1" probe launch site in Wenchang, Hainan (third from right is Kang Zeyu)

 

Orange flames erupted, and the "Fat Five" lifted off with a blue band trailing its tail. The roaring sound spread from far to near. The spectators raised their hands and cheered. The scenes of the scene were deeply engraved in Kang Zeyu's mind. As a student majoring in aerospace, having witnessed the sense of honor, pride, and responsibility of astronauts, he was greatly encouraged and his determination to devote himself to the aviation industry of the motherland became even stronger.

 

In December 2020, at the symposium of Academician Tang Changhong, Chief Engineer of "Yun 20", Kang Zeyu had the privilege of face-to-face communication with Academician Tang. After the symposium, Academician Tang wrote the words "Kunpeng Spreads His Wings" on his notebook, which greatly encouraged him and strengthened his confidence in engaging in the aerospace industry.

 

Figure 6: The inscription of Academician Tang Changhong on Kang Zeyu's notebook

 

“Let China's Large Aircraft Go Global”

In a twinkling of an eye, his doctoral career is about to end, and he has solid theory and rich practical experience, and has been recognized by multiple employers in aerospace research institutes.

The four-year doctoral career at Shanghai Jiaotong University has given Kang Zeyu the greatest confidence and courage to face future difficulties. After selection at various levels, after graduation, he will join the Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute of COMAC to establish his own scientific research team and overcome difficulties in core technology.

"We are looking forward to flying around the world in our own big plane." As an aerospace student at Jiaotong University, after graduation, he will assume greater responsibility, work hard, forge ahead bravely, and contribute his own strength to the cause of the motherland's big plane.

 

 

 

Source: Student Employment Center, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics