Ding Henggao

Ding Henggao, born on February 3, 1931, in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a prominent scientist in the field of strategic missile inertial technology. In his early years, he studied at the Mechanical Department of Nanjing University’s College of Engineering and graduated in 1952. After graduation, he worked at the Instrument Department of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (later renamed Changchun Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics), serving as the head of the Instrument Design Group. During this period, he participated in designing China’s first precision material testing machine, a large precision optical flat platform, and an optical theodolite.

From 1957 to 1961, Ding Henggao studied in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Soviet Union, at the Soviet Union's Lenin Leningrad Institute of Precision Mechanics and Optics, majoring in precision machinery and automatic control, earning a Doctor of Science (Candidate of Sciences) degree. Upon returning to China, he worked successively at the Fifth Research Institute of the former Ministry of National Defense and the First Academy of the Seventh Machinery Industry Corps, serving as deputy director, director, and tech lead, mainly engaged in the development of military instruments such as gyroscopes, accelerometers, and autopilots.

Between 1961 and 1964, Ding Henggao led the development of gyroscopes for various missile models, successfully solving key technical issues affecting missile accuracy, including designing domestically-made stiffness gyroscope motors, which improved the precision of strategic weapons. From 1964 to 1970, he achieved a breakthrough in the use of gas float inertial instruments in strategic weapons, designing air bearing gas float gyroscopes and accelerometers for strategic missiles and satellite launch vehicles, earning the National Science Conference Award and the first prize for major national defense technological achievements.

From 1970 to 1977, he commanded the development of land-based solid-fueled strategic missile inertial navigation systems, applying liquid float inertial technology domestically for the first time, and was awarded the Grand Prize for National Scientific and Technological Progress. Subsequently, Ding Henggao served as Deputy Director, Deputy Minister, and Director of the State Science and Technology Commission (now the Ministry of Science and Technology). During this period, he led several key scientific breakthroughs, including research on micron/nanotechnology, raising the concept of “micron/nanotechnology,” which laid a foundation for related fields of development.

In terms of education, Ding Henggao emphasized the importance of technological strength for national development, advocating for broad computer education and popular science. He has made numerous speeches at academic and scientific exchanges and visited Nanjing University of Science and Technology in 2010 to engage in academic discussions with faculty and students.

Ding Henggao has authored several professional works, including collections titled "Collection of Micron-Nanotechnology" and "Collection of Inertial Technology," and has published numerous papers in journals such as the Journal of Sensor Technology, Tsinghua University Journal, and Acta Instrumenta Sinica. His major awards include election to the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1994, the Ho Leung Ho Lee Scientific and Technological Achievement Award in 1999, and multiple national scientific and technological awards.

He has served as Chairman of the Chinese Inertial Technology Society, a part-time professor at Tsinghua University, doctoral supervisor, and honorary dean of the Institute of Micron/Nanotechnology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His family includes his wife Nie Li, a lieutenant general, and his mother-in-law Zhang Ruihua, daughter of Nie Rongzhen. His daughter is Nie Fei.

Ding Henggao is recognized as one of the founders of China's strategic missile inertial technology. He has been a key promoter in the field of micron/nanotechnology in China and has made significant contributions to the development of China’s national defense science and technology.