Moon goddesses
Sense of responsibility
Zhang He, 48, executive director of the Chang'e-4 probe project from the China Academy of Space Technology, believes the women in her design team have a stronger sense of responsibility and self-esteem than many men, and are more meticulous and better at communicating.
Zhang had read the book, Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, which encouraged women to show their talent at work. Like the author, she often found herself as the only woman at meetings.
"I respect and envy full-time mothers. This is a personal choice. We have to accept what we have chosen, both the gains and losses," Zhang says.
She took her son to gaze at the stars when he was very young. Now her son is 12, and loves mathematics and astronomy.
"I don't have much time with him each day, but we are very close. My son can see my endeavors to chase my dream and is influenced by me," Zhang adds.
Her husband was a classmate in university. He disagreed with those who said Chinese people lack creativity and innovation.
"My wife is a space engineer. I saw how she worked hard to send the spacecraft to the moon."
"I can feel the understanding and support of my family in my work," Zhang says.
Lunar exploration has made her braver and more confident.
"When we began to develop the Chang'e-3 probe, the noise generated by the variable thrust engine was terrifying. But I grew used to it," she says.
"We encountered a lot of technical difficulties in developing the lunar probe, but we overcame all of them. They were like problems in life, and were solved eventually."
A career in space exploration also changed the lives of Zhang's family. On vacation, Zhang asks her husband to make a very detailed plan to consider all possible scenarios. This makes the journey more relaxed.
Zhang and her team like to call China's four lunar probes the "four sisters".
"I believe, Chang'e-4, the little sister, will be braver, smarter and stronger than her elder sister, Chang'e-3, and perform excellently," Zhang adds.
