Chief Designer Song first introduced the basic concept of systems engineering to the audience, pointing out that model-based systems engineering is the primary methodology currently adopted in aerospace project research. This method can effectively reduce the complexity of management, but it faces challenges such as model acquisition, parameter accuracy, and interdisciplinary simulation. Next, Chief Designer Song elaborated on China Aerospace’s understanding of systems engineering from three phases of aerospace model development projects: the conceptual design phase, prototype phase, and qualification phase, and summarized the major contributions of the Long March carrier rockets in terms of fault resolution and risk source identification. Subsequently, Chief Designer Song put forward five major challenges and issues brought by commercial aerospace, which triggered in-depth reflections among the teachers and students present. Finally, Chief Designer Song pointed out that systems engineering is essentially an optimization problem, and its core philosophy lies in continuous dynamic feedback and adjustment under given objectives and constraints.

During the interactive Q&A session, Chief Designer Song conducted in-depth discussions with the on-site teachers and students on topics such as “How to balance process control and efficiency in aerospace project research” and “How to cultivate chief designer-type talents”. At the end of the session, Professor Che Ada made a brief summary of this academic exchange. This report helped the participants understand the practical application of systems engineering technology in the aerospace field and broaden their research horizons.

Research Fellow Song Zhengyu is currently the Chief Designer of the Long March 8 Carrier Rocket at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a doctoral supervisor, and an adjunct professor at Zhejiang University and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is an Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and a Member of the Human Spaceflight Committee of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). He has long been engaged in the research of basic theories of aerospace control and the development of new-generation carrier rockets. He has successively served as the technical leader and deputy chief designer of the control systems for the CZ-2F, new-generation large carrier rockets, CZ-7, and China’s heavy-lift carrier rockets; he now holds the position of Chief Designer of the CZ-8 carrier rocket. He has been honored with awards such as the China Youth May Fourth Medal for Outstanding Contributions, China Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons, and the National May 1st Labor Medal; he has also won the Special Prize and First Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award, and the First Prize of the National Defense Technology Invention Award. He was selected into the National Ten-Thousand Talents Program as a Leading Talent in Scientific and Technological Innovation. He has authored numerous monographs, papers and patents. Research Fellow Song Zhengyu was an effective candidate for the Academician election of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2023.

Written by/Qin Xiangyu Reviewed by/Jia Ming