Prominent scientist Tsien Hsue-shen, widely acclaimed as the “father of Chinese rocketry and spaceflight”, died of illness in Beijing on Oct. 31, 2009 at the age of 98. Mr. Tsien has made preeminent and pioneering contributions to space technology, engineering cybernetics, and systems science.

In the 1950s, the division of control theory in the Institute of Mathematics, CAS, the division of operation research in the Institute of Mechanics and the Institute of Mathematics, CAS were established at his suggestions, which became the main parts of the Institute of Systems Science founded in 1979. The Systems Engineering Society of China hosted at ISS was also founded at his suggestion.　

This year is the 30th Anniversary of the Institute of Systems Science. Mr. Tsien Hsue-shen sent a congratulation letter on October, 23, 2009. In his letter, he praised the ISS for making significant contributions to the development of systems science and mathematics as well as their applications and wished that ISS makes further efforts in developing the expanding fields of complex giant systems.

 Mr. Tsien Hsue-shen will be remembered for his patriotism, achievements and strong personality.