Embracing a New World: The Story of Hsue-Shen Tsien and an Era

About the Book

Few scientists have lived a life as dramatic and consequential as Hsue-Shen Tsien — known in China as Qian Xuesen — the man hailed as the “Father of Chinese Rocketry，” “King of Rocketry，” and “Father of China‘s Space Program.”

This authorized biography， compiled by the Hsue-Shen Tsien Think Tank with access to authoritative first-hand materials， traces his extraordinary journey from a gifted young scholar in China to a protégé of the legendary aerodynamicist Theodore von Kármán at Caltech. Tsien co-founded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory， helped pioneer American rocketry， and was once described as “worth five army divisions” by a U.S. Navy official.

Then came the twist: during the McCarthy era， Tsien was accused， placed under house arrest， and eventually deported to China in a high-stakes diplomatic exchange. What followed was one of the most consequential scientific homecomings of the 20th century.

In China， Tsien laid the foundation for the nation‘s missile and space programs， leading the development of its first ballistic missiles and the satellite that broadcast “The East Is Red” from orbit. His legacy includes the Dongfeng missiles， the Long March rocket family， and the Qian Xuesen Asteroid named in his honor.

This English-language edition presents his story for international readers， featuring rare photographs and a clear， readable narrative that balances scholarly rigor with human drama. For anyone interested in 20th-century science， Cold War history， or China’s rise as a technological power， this biography offers an essential perspective.