Interstellar travel sounds a bit romantic

Major Technological Highlights | Deputy Zhu Junqiang: Interstellar Navigation Academy, Helping China Reach Further

Starting in 2026, a name full of imagination has frequently appeared in our view—“Interstellar Navigation.” The Interstellar Navigation Academy of the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was officially inaugurated in Huairou, Beijing, with Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and renowned thermophysical engineer Zhu Junqiang serving as the first dean.

From aircraft engines to interstellar travel, from “creating hearts” to “cultivating brains,” this long-time frontline scientist and member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference is completing a mission upgrade that spans over thirty years. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Zhu Junqiang directly addressed a common question in many people’s minds: Interstellar travel—this seemingly romantic term—how far is it from our real life?

What are China’s plans for interstellar navigation?

The name “Interstellar Navigation Academy” borrows from the concept proposed by Qian Xuesen in 1957. Nearly 70 years later, the dream is becoming a reality. Zhu Junqiang said, “Interstellar navigation is highly imaginative and has a romantic appeal. Choosing this name reflects a consensus among everyone.”

But for this scientist who has long been rooted in the Institute of Thermophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and dedicated his life to making aircraft “fly higher, further, and more stably,” romance has never been an empty dream; it is built on a more rigorous scientific foundation.

In response to doubts that “interstellar travel is too far away,” Zhu Junqiang provided a clear roadmap: any grand vision must be realized through concrete action plans.

He proposed a three-step approach: in the short term (3 to 5 years), establish a comprehensive training system that integrates undergraduate and graduate education, build an interstellar experimental field, and enhance students’ hands-on skills and imagination; in the medium term (10 to 20 years), develop a complete talent cultivation system, integrate a batch of original technologies, and train leading talents; in the long term, China must possess fully autonomous interstellar navigation technology, have a voice on the international stage, and collaborate with global scholars to develop space.

Where is the focus of interstellar talent cultivation?

Interstellar navigation is essentially a complex systems engineering project; breakthroughs in a single discipline cannot support the overall progress. The most notable innovation of the Interstellar Navigation Academy is its “scientist + chief engineer” dual-mentor training model.

In Zhu Junqiang’s view, future individuals capable of undertaking interstellar missions must possess three qualities: the rigor and innovation of a scientist, daring to develop disruptive technologies from 0 to 1; the system-level management ability of a chief engineer, overseeing multiple disciplines such as detection, materials, and life support; and a sense of patriotism—like Qian Xuesen—grounded in the present but looking to the future.

Based on this philosophy, the academy adopts a practical, full-process, combat-oriented training model driven by actual missions. From the moment students enroll, they deeply participate in cutting-edge research projects, honing their dual potential for original innovation (“from 0 to 1”) and engineering transformation (“from 1 to 100”) through solving real scientific problems.

What is interstellar sociology?

We have many imaginations about extraterrestrial life. In the aerospace academy’s curriculum, an eye-catching course has been added: Interstellar Sociology.

What does it involve? Zhu Junqiang gave examples: for instance, if we encounter extraterrestrial life, how should we communicate? How can we jointly maintain this vast galaxy?

Another example: if interstellar travel becomes routine, could some criminal activities on Earth turn the galaxy into an escape route?

These questions do not yet have standard answers, but they must be considered before departure. Zhu Junqiang said that these are very concrete examples involving the utilization and development of deep space, all within the scope of social ethics.

Before concluding the interview, the reporter asked Zhu Junqiang for words of encouragement for young people committed to interstellar travel.

His reply was concise yet powerful: “Rigorous thinking, dedication, willingness to endure solitude, and perseverance.” Looking up at the stars, progress will come. The new generation of young people rooted on Earth and daring to explore the unknown are not only pursuing technological breakthroughs but also carrying the dream of a nation exploring the vast universe—lighting the way with civilization’s torch to reach even more distant stars.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

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