Dr. Tsien Hsue-Shen was President of the China Association for Science and Technology and from 1982-1987 he served as Vice-Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee- within the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.
He was born in Shanghai, China on December 11, 1911. He graduated from Jiaotong University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1934. He left China the next year to study aeronautical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he gained his Masters degree. Afterward, he attended the California Institute of Technology (CIT) and in 1938 obtained his Doctorate in aerodynamics and Mathematics.
Dr. Tsien remained at CIT and became head of the Supersonic Research Lab. During World War II, he served as Director of the Rocket Section in the U.S. National Defense Scientific Advisory Board. In 1946 he was a Professor at MIT and then after a return trip to China became a Professor at CIT in Pasadena. From 1949 until 1955 he served as Director of the Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Upon returning to his homeland in 1956, he began a second career as President of the Academy of Rocket Research until 1964. Dr. Tsien was Vice-Minister of the Commission of Science and Technology for National Defense, prior to his present government positions.
As a student at CIT he became a favorite of Prof. Theodore von Karman who interested him in jet propulsion and supersonic aircraft design. In his study of rocket design, he introduced the Tsien Formula in the development of jet propulsion.
Dr. Tsien has been the technical leader in China's pioneering rocket and space programs. He has made great and path-paving contributions to space technology and to systems science and engineering.
Since his return to the Chinese mainland, he has written numerous articles for publication.
In 1989 Dr. Tsien was elected and inducted into the World Level of the Hall of Fame for Engineering, Science and Technology.
In 1995, Xi'an Jiaotong University Library was officially renamed Qian Xuesen (Tsien Hsue-Shen) Library in recognition of his outstanding contributions to science and engineering and as an outstanding alumnus of the university.