On July 23, 2020, China`s first Mars probe "Tianwen-1" was successfully launched into space. The "Tianwen-1" probe became another major space exploration project in China following the "Chang'e series" lunar exploration mission. . On July 31, 2020, the "Beidou-3" global satellite navigation system was officially opened, marking the complete completion of China's independent construction and independent operation of the global satellite navigation system. From "Tianwen-1" to "Beidou-3", SHJD State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites' SiC particle-reinforced aluminum-based composites have contributed to China's aerospace with a number of scientific research achievements, and technology has boosted China's planetary exploration and satellites Navigation development.
In order to meet the special requirements of the "Beidou" satellite for the comprehensive performance of a key mechanism material such as high strength, high modulus, high thermal conductivity and dimensional stability, the team of Professor Zhang Di and Ouyang Qiubao of the State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites of SHJD On the basis of the high-performance SiC-reinforced aluminum-based composite material developed by the company, a high-performance and high-quality SiC-reinforced aluminum-based composite material suitable for a system of the "Beidou" satellite has been developed, providing more than 10 key points for a system of the "Beidou" satellite The components have been successfully applied to a number of "Beidou" navigation satellites, which not only realizes the lightweight structure, but also provides a guarantee for the high precision of the mechanism and the stable operation of the system.
The high-performance SiC-reinforced aluminum-based composite housing developed by the team of Professor Zhang Di and Professor Ouyang Qiubao was successfully applied to the "Tianwen-1" Mars rover, which satisfies the long-term operation of the "Tianwen-1" Mars rover. A total of more than 30 pieces were delivered for the material requirements of a key organization. The new SiC-reinforced aluminum-based composite material has light weight, high strength, good rigidity, and dimensional stability under a wide temperature range, which helps my country’s self-developed "Tianwen No. 1" to carry out Mars exploration.
The team of Professor Zhang Di and Ouyang Qiubao has been deeply involved in aluminum-based composite materials for more than 30 years, and has solved various key scientific and technical problems in the preparation, molding and engineering application of aluminum-based composite materials. The developed high-performance SiC reinforced Aluminum-based composite materials have been widely used in aerospace, electronic information and transportation fields.
The Beidou satellite navigation system is China`s first major space infrastructure to provide public services to the world, and "Tianwen-1" is an important step for China to move toward deep space. These important marks in the history of China’s aerospace verify the metal matrix composites country. The high level and high quality of scientific research results achieved by the key laboratory to meet the urgent needs of major national aerospace projects. The State Key Laboratory will continue to uphold the rigorous scientific research attitude of seeking truth, pragmatism, and truth-seeking, and will intensively practice writing papers on the land of the motherland, and contribute to China's aerospace satellite navigation, deep space exploration, and high-level space exploration.