Twenty groups and individuals were presented with the 15th Aerospace Laureate Awards on Nov 7 in Zhuhai for their outstanding contributions to China's aerospace industry development.

China's aerospace industry achieved great outcomes and debuted several major projects since the award's 14th session in 2020, such as Mars exploration, China's space station, domestic-made engines, and the Chang'e moon exploration project.

Awards ceremony [Photo by Zeng Yao / Guanhai App]

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China and Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) won the Best Collaboration Award for their joint efforts in test flights of the domestic passenger jet C919. Another group that won this award was credited for work in the research and development of AC352 civil helicopter and WZ-16 engine and among the award sharers are AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Group and AECC Harbin Dong'an Engine.

Sun Zezhou, chief designer of the Tianwen-1 Mars probe and three other designers, received the Technical Spearhead Award, while test pilot Sun Guang was the laureate of the Fearless Hero Award. The prestigious Lifetime Contribution Award was presented to academicians Zhang Yanzhong, Yu Benshui, and Liu Daxiang.

The biannual Aerospace Laureate Awards, initiated in 2005, are the highest awards in China's aerospace industry. As of now, 111 individuals and 36 groups have won such awards.