-Two bombs and one satellite- The descendants of the founding fathers recalled their ancestors- they were indifferent to fame and fortune, and devoted themselves to serving the country

Standing in front of the display case, Deng Yuyou, the grandson of the legendary scientist Deng Jiaxian who contributed to China’s “Two Bombs, One Satellite” program, had an emotional moment as he encountered his grandfather’s student registration from Southwest Associated University for the first time.

The registration card noted: Deng Jiaxian, age eighteen, enrolled in the third year of the School of Science, majoring in Physics, accompanied by a photo of him at that age. “This captures the most beautiful version of him,” Deng Yuyou reflected.

October 16, 2024, marks the 60th anniversary of the successful detonation of China’s first atomic bomb. To commemorate this milestone, an exhibition titled “Devoting Oneself to the Country: Tsinghua Alumni Among the ‘Two Bombs, One Satellite’ Contributors” opened at Tsinghua University’s History Museum, with several descendants of the program’s heroes in attendance.

1999 saw twenty-three scientists recognized for their significant contributions to the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” initiative, with fourteen of them having studied or worked at Tsinghua University. This exhibition showcased 126 precious photographs and over 60 documents and artifacts from the lives of fourteen distinguished contributors, including Qian Xuesen’s voluntary commitment letters and Deng Jiaxian’s manuscript on quantum field theory. Notably, archival materials featuring student registration cards from twelve luminaries and donated documents from Qian Sanqiang were made available to the public for the first time.

As she entered the exhibition, Li Xinxing found herself reminiscing about her grandfather Qian Sanqiang after seeing his old glasses. “It felt like history was coming alive,” she said.

The timeline of achievements is remarkable: October 16, 1964, marked the successful explosion of China’s first atomic bomb; June 17, 1967, saw the success of China’s first hydrogen bomb test; and on April 24, 1970, the launch of the first artificial satellite, “Dong Fang Hong 1,” aboard the Long March 1 rocket.

Behind such milestones are the names of notable figures: Deng Jiaxian, Qian Xuesen, Qian Sanqiang, Wang Ganchang, Tu Shou’e, Chen Fangyun, Zhou Guangzhao, and Guo Yonghuai, among others.

To the public, Qian Sanqiang is remembered as a renowned nuclear physicist and a pioneering figure in China’s atomic energy development. Yet for Li Xinxing, he was simply a loving grandfather who told bedtime stories and took time to buy cakes for the family. “As a child, I thought of him as a treasure chest; he had everything,” she smiled, sharing, “He taught me that no matter how significant your contributions or achievements may be, patriotism comes first.”

For Chen Jingjing, the granddaughter of Chen Fangyun, her grandfather was a humble and reserved character. “He never liked the spotlight; he preferred to work quietly behind the scenes.” Chen Fangyun was pivotal in establishing satellite measurement and control technology, contributing significantly to the accuracy of China’s first artificial satellite.

Having grown up under his care, Chen Jingjing remembers, “He used many things until they were completely worn out. For him, the greatest joy came from scientific achievements and those of the country.”

In his later years, even while bedridden, Chen Fangyun continued to think about his work. “He often mentioned ‘little satellites,’” Chen Jingjing said with a hint of sadness, “Unfortunately, he passed away before witnessing the launch of the BeiDou satellites.”

Wang Shihua, the grandson of Wang Ganchang, fondly recalled his early impressions of his grandfather, whom he believed “lived in a mailbox.” Many boxes in their home bore his grandfather’s alias “Wang Jing,” though family members rarely discussed its meaning. In the 1960s, Wang Ganchang adopted this name as he worked on China’s nuclear weapons program, vowing to dedicate himself completely to his country, and remaining in hiding for seventeen years.

“His mantra was, ‘There’s no Sunday, only the seventh day,’ and that phrase stays with me,” Wang Shihua reflected. “My grandfather dedicated his entire life to his work.”

As the years pass, the spirit of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” legacy continues to shine brightly.

“In a speech, I remember my grandmother saying that my grandfather, Deng Jiaxian, often praised others’ pure thoughts and noble ideals with the word ‘pure.’ He held himself to the same standard,” Deng Yuyou shared. “If my grandfather could see the image of today’s dedicated individuals across various fields, if he could witness the progress of China’s scientific endeavors and the revival of the Chinese nation, his face would surely once again light up with a ‘pure’ smile.”