Described as warm, generous, unassuming and deeply devoted to his work, Gong was a pioneer of space debris research
2-MIN READ2-MINLing Xinin OhioPublished: 8:00pm, 28 Aug 2026Gong Zizheng, a pioneer of space debris research and a key figure in China’s planned asteroid defence mission, has died at 61.A top government adviser and prominent leader in international space debris organisations, Gong died on Saturday after a battle with illness, according to Chinese media reports. No further details were given.
On social media, one of Gong’s colleagues at the China Academy of Space Technology remembered him as a prolific scientist deeply devoted to his work, a warm and gentle person, and a generous mentor who readily shared his knowledge and guided younger scholars.
A fellow space debris researcher who worked with Gong in his final years said he was devastated to hear the news. “I had known since last October that he was seriously ill and understood how grave his condition was, but never imagined we would lose him so soon,” he said.
The researcher described Gong as practical, down-to-earth and unassuming, despite his standing in the field.
He recalled meeting Gong for the first time – Gong arrived on a small folding bike and told him that he cycled so much he had worn out several bicycles.
