Tu Shou'e: A pioneer in the development of Chinese rocket technology | The childhood of the founder of the "two bombs and one satellite"

Tu Shou'e, an expert in rocket design, is one of the pioneers of China's missile and aerospace technology. He served as deputy chief designer of China's self-developed liquid ballistic surface-to-surface short-range and medium-range missiles, and chief designer of intercontinental missiles and the Long March 2 carrier rocket.

Tu Shou'e during his student days

Tu Shou'e's hometown, Nanxun Town

Story 1: Repaying parents with excellent grades

On December 5, 1917, a little boy with a full forehead and a loud cry was born in Nanxun Town, Wuxing County, Huzhou, Jiangsu Province, a family of a Qing Dynasty scholar. According to local customs, a family with a newborn son would hold a wedding banquet and invite relatives, friends and neighbors. However, during the chaotic years, the Tu family had to keep everything simple. The father Tu Weiping picked up a pen and wrote down three words: Tu Shou'e. "E" means the blade of a sword. "Tu" means to guard "e". From the name, it can be seen that the father had expectations for this child born in troubled times.

The ancestors of the Tu family were neither officials nor wealthy merchants, but ordinary scholars. Tu Weiping, a scholar in the late Qing Dynasty, encountered the Xinhai Revolution and failed to pass the imperial examination to enter the official career. He became a low-paid clerk and worked hard for the livelihood of his family. As a traditional intellectual, he attached great importance to the education of his children and even went into debt to allow his children to enter the best schools.

In 1924, his father sent Shou'e to Nanxun Silk Industry Primary School (Nanxun Experimental Primary School), a school with a history of nearly 100 years. Shou'e studied very hard and his grades were always the best in the school. Later, he studied in middle schools in Jiaxing, Zhejiang and Shanghai, and he was also very diligent. He knew that his parents had paid too much for their children to go to school and to a good school. During this period, his motivation for studying was very simple, which was to achieve excellent results to repay his parents.

Story 2: Making up for my mother’s illiteracy

In Shou'e's memory, his mother was always busy and rarely rested. In addition to taking care of the family's food and daily life and sewing, she also took on needlework from outside to supplement the family income. His mother was illiterate and could not read a word. But Shou'e discovered that in his mother's mind, reading and literacy were sacred things. She especially respected scholars and envied educated people.

After a busy day, the mother always looked happy and satisfied when she saw her children doing homework or reading under the lamp. She was reluctant to take up even a little time of their reading time, and was unwilling to ask them to help her with things that were difficult for her to do. The happiest moment for the mother was when she saw Shou'e coming home with his report card.

Shou'e was deeply impressed by his mother's admiration for scholars and culture. He had the idea of ​​making up for his mother's regret and began to teach her how to read and write, becoming her "little teacher". This was also a process of mutual learning, and Shou'e himself gained a lot.

Story 3: A passionate young man vows to build an airplane

One day after the "December 8 Incident" in Shanghai in 1932, his father came to Shanghai to pick up 15-year-old Shou'e to go back to Nanxun for the New Year. On the way to the dock, a bombing formation consisting of dozens of Japanese planes circled at low altitude, and the roar of the engines was deafening. Soon, the Japanese planes began to drop bombs, and the bombs poured down like raindrops, and the Shanghai dock suddenly became a sea of ​​fire. The sound of houses collapsing and the cries of children and women were heard, as if it was hell on earth.

Shou'e grabbed his father's hand and ran away. When they boarded the ship at the dock, they saw rubble and blood on both sides of the Huangpu River. This tragic scene left a deep impression on Shou'e.

Shou'e seemed to have grown up overnight. His learning goals were very clear and his motivation was very strong. The poor and weak were not only bullied, but also in danger of losing their country. He remembered his father's words that only by developing industry could the country be saved. He vowed: "I must personally build Chinese aircraft and advanced weapons, eliminate these bandits, and avenge my dead compatriots!"

Reading link: The founder of the "Two Bombs and One Satellite"

"Two bombs and one satellite" originally referred to atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, and artificial satellites. The atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb in the "two bombs" were later collectively called nuclear bombs, and the other bomb referred to the missiles developed in the early days. Later, "two bombs and one satellite" referred to guided missiles, nuclear bombs, and artificial satellites.

On September 18, 1999, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission solemnly commended 23 scientific and technological experts who made outstanding contributions to my country's "two bombs and one satellite" cause and awarded them the "Two Bombs and One Satellite Medal of Merit". They are called the "Two Bombs and One Satellite" heroes.