American Dr. Taylor Wang, first ethnic-Chinese astronaut-scientist, shared his early May, 2.5-million-mile, seven-day space journey aboard the 107-ton space shuttle Challenger with more than 2,000 excited students from Taipei's high schools.
Sponsored by the ROC National Science Council, Dr. Wang, together with his wife and two sons, recently returned to Taiwan for the second time, following a triumphant four-day whirlwind visit in late June. Wang was born in China in 1940 and emigrated with his family to the U.S. in 1963. He earned his Ph.D., in physics, in 1972 and, later, joined the world famed Cal-Tech Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
The main purposes of this second visit was to more fully share his space adventure with audiences in local ROC communities, and to inspire more fledgling talent here to opt for the field of scientific research. His appearance at the Memorial Hall was to be the first of eight public addresses—scheduled, also, for the Cheng Kung Ling (Total Achievement) Training Center in central Taiwan, the Tainan and Kaohsiung Cultural Centers in southern Taiwan, and several prominent universities.
Assisted by color slides, the 45-year-old scientist, one of two payload specialists aboard the spaceship, and a pioneer in the handling of liquids without containers in the gravity-free environment of space, briefly introduced his experiments on fluid dynamics in weightless conditions. He had used a device he called a "drop dynamics module," designed by himself.
The experiment employed precisely-controlled sound waves to "hold" the floating liquids, a technique that will have future applications in the manufacture in space of super-pure chemicals and metals, which could be contaminated through contact with normal containers.
Wang also described the thrilling astronaut training courses: "Once the astronaut ascends to space, he becomes a dragon. But he really looks more like a worm during the stringent ordeal of the training courses."—Wang's humorous, vivid images frequently stirred his audiences to bursts of laughter.
"We have to go through three major training phases before we are launched into space.
From adoring students—A spirited and affectionate welcome.
"First, we were required to familiarize ourselves with all related experimental projects. A total of 14 projects were selected from over 500 applications by NASA from all over the nation, and scheduled as space experiments for this mission. The chosen astronaut-scientists were to process the experiments on other scientists' behalf," expanded Wang.
Concerning prerequisites for space experiments, Wang emphasized four special considerations: academic value, value for applied science, availability of necessary know-how, and availability of suitable equipment to undertake the experiment in space.
The second phase was actual flight training. Since the training center had to be sure about individual reactions to being launched into space, the training focused on myriad "tortures" for all trainees. For example, sitting on a revolving chair and undergoing left-and-right, upside-down, and 360-degree motion, designed to make the subject as uncomfortable as possible. Instructors would then observe whether each individual was still competent to proceed with required tasks. The trainees were all fitted with more than 30 kinds of electronic monitors; therefore, any reaction, sometimes even completely unnoticed by the trainees themselves, would not escape the close scrutiny of the "space doctors."
The third phase was escape training—preparing all trainees to be intensely familiar with escape routes and methods in case of an accident.
Dr. Wang showed enchanting scenes photographed from space—the Himalayas, the Yangtze River, Los Angeles, etc.
Dr. Wang also met a major schedule for participation in several academic seminars. He exchanged views with local scientists on prospects for aerospace technology development in the ROC. And he went on sightseeing tours to Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan, Ching Ching Lake in southern Kaohsiung, and to picturesque Hualien on the eastern coast of the island.
The Republic of China was delighted with Wang from the top down. President Chiang Ching-kuo received him in his offices, and praised Wang for his outstanding accomplishments in aerospace technology. The President remarked that Wang is the first Chinese to genuinely experience the ancient Chinese philosophical descriptives, "the sky is high and the earth is deep—the universe immense," and "as boundless as the sea and sky—unrestrained and far-ranging." The President presented the Chinese-American scientist-astronaut with a calligraphic scroll on which were inscribed four Chinese characters, Yin Shui Shi Yuan (When drinking water, think of its source; never forget where one's happiness comes from), reminding him never to forget his origins.
The Free China Review posed a few questions for Dr. Wang in an interval before a TV-taping session:
FCR: Based on the ROC's current financial power and manpower, what can we do in promoting the local development of aerospace technology?
Wang: Aerospace programs belong to a long-term plan—like throwing a long line to catch a big fish—involving astronomical-figures for investment, countless experts in myriad research fields, and state-of-the-art technology. We have to at first upgrade the level of basic science research here, the foundation for any breakthrough in applied science. Without the support of basic science, it is empty to talk of developing aerospace research. We can begin here from small-scale programs in cooperation with other nations. From the economic point of view, this is also a very rational choice.
Addressing the student body of his alma mater—The gift-plaque with him is inscribed: You Are An Honor To All Chinese—A Pride For Your Alma Mater.
FCR: What impressed you most during these two visits, after a 22-year absence in the United States?
Wang: I am deeply moved by the emphasis on education by all the authorities concerned. I have visited many universities, and noted that the government has paid great attention to the cultivation of the new generations.
I am also deeply impressed by the miraculous economic development here. When I left more than 20 years ago, this was still an underdeveloped country. But now, Taipei and Kaohsiung, for instance, are as modern as any metropolis in the world.
FCR: What advice do you wish to convey to Chinese students who plan to pursue scientific studies?
Wang: Chinese students are very clever, brilliant, not second to any foreign students. But no matter what else they do, they must cultivate a cooperative spirit. The era of single-handedness has passed. The traditional Chinese concept of rather being a "chicken head" than an "ox tail" (being the boss of a small operation rather than a participant in a large one) is not suited to contemporary times. Although there are still a few people who are able to proceed in their research completely alone, yet their results are singularly limited. Team work results in bigger accomplishments, shared by each participant.
FCR: Have you met any childhood friends during these two visits?
Wang: I am a graduate of the National Taiwan Normal University affiliated high school, and I was treated like a hero when I visited my alma mater on my first trip. Seeing those energetic students reminded me of my own young—and naughty—school days. I have met many primary and high school classmates. Meeting those old friends has been one of my greatest pleasures. The feeling is very difficult to describe.
FCR: Would you please talk about your impressions of the National Palace Museum?
Wang: That is a treasure, really a treasure—not only a treasure for the Chinese, but also a treasure for this world, for future generations.
FCR: How do you feel about being the first Chinese-born astronaut in history?
Wang: There are about 1.1 billion Chinese in the world. I have never before been dubbed as number one at anything. This is the first time that I am first at something. I am really proud and fortunate, and very grateful for the opportunity.
As you know, we Chinese prefer to use Tsu shang chi teh (The ancestors accumulate virtuous deeds) to explain one's luckiness. I must thank my forebears for blessing me so that I obtained this honor.