While the whole nation cheered the successful launch of the Shenzhou VI spacecraft, the face of Zhang Bainan showed only calmness and composure.

As the chief designer of the spacecraft, Zhang and his teammates had been expecting the day for a long time.

In January 2004, 100 days after Shenzhou V's return module landed, Zhang succeeded Qi Faren as chief designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft.

His mission was then to upgrade the spacecraft into one that can accommodate more than one astronaut and fly more than one day. What's more, he had less than two years' time to do it.

He designed the Shenzhou VI spacecraft with some substantial improvements.

For example, a safer buffer was designed and put under the astronauts' seats to soften the ride and impact upon return and touchdown.

Also, special measures were taken to avoid a violent collision or abrasion between astronauts and the delicate equipment: Some equipment is wrapped, and some placed out of the astronauts' reach.

Zhang was born in Qiqihar in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province in 1962. Zhang entered the Changsha-based National University of Defence Technology's Department of Mechanics in 1980 and earned a master's degree in spacecraft design from the Chinese Academy of Space Technology in 1987.

After graduation, Zhang joined the task force to develop China's recoverable satellites and was assigned a job in the master plan group.

When China's National Manned Space Programme started in 1992, Zhang was transferred to work for the programme's master group, the central group.

In 1997, Zhang became vice-chief designer of the spacecraft.

Thinking back to earlier years of the work in the programme, Zhang said it was "full of difficulties and hardships." As new hands at spacecraft design, Zhang and his teammates had to start from the very beginning.

Qi Faren, the former chief designer, described Zhang as "knowledgeable, industrious and a good hand at cracking hard nuts."

To Zhang, the success of Shenzhou VI is now history, and his philosophy is that the next one must be even better.

As head of the team, Zhang puts a high priority on the basics and the growth of his team.

(China Daily 10/14/2005 page2)