‘BeiDou Goddess’: key figure in China GPS-equivalent satellite system, earns PhD by 26

A Chinese scientist behind China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System rejects the “goddess” label, asserting that research transcends gender.Xu Ying, 43, hails from Sichuan province in southwestern China, born to a maths teacher mother and an agricultural technician father.As a gifted child with a passion for physics and mathematics, Xu began primary school at the age of four, entered university at 16 to pursue communications engineering, and consistently ranked at the top of her class each school term, according to reports from mainland sources.At 20, she enrolled in a combined master’s and doctoral programme at the Beijing Institute of Technology, and three years later, she became part of the team developing BeiDou, China’s indigenous satellite navigation system.Xu’s dedication has earned her respect in the industry, as she is often seen collaborating with colleagues. Photo: HandoutNow a competitor to the US GPS and Russia’s GLONASS, BeiDou is utilised in transport, weather forecasting, disaster relief, and public safety, boasting cooperation agreements with 137 countries and regions.The industry surrounding the system reportedly generated an output value of 1.33 trillion yuan (US$196 billion) last year.However, Xu’s ascent was hard-won.Early in her BeiDou career, inaccurate calculations and unfamiliar research methodologies hindered progress, prompting her to spend nights in the laboratory and dedicate weekends to redundant testing.Her determination established her as a key member of the team.During the 2013 Ya’an earthquake in Sichuan, when communication systems faltered, BeiDou emerged as a crucial resource for rescuers, with Xu’s team providing precise positional support throughout the disaster zone.Xu characterised BeiDou not merely as a scientific project but as a “beacon of life,” rescuing individuals from peril.Further ReadingFor years, BeiDou faced public scepticism, with critics labelling it a mere imitation of GPS and questioning the value of its extensive investment.An image from Nasa, above, depicts a satellite orbiting Earth, illustrating how the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System uses a vast constellation of satellites to triangulate location and time. Photo: ShutterstockXu worked to transform this perception, leveraging her public platform to explain the system in relatable and engaging terms.In one viral talk, which garnered over 20 million views online, she illustrated how BeiDou could assist drones in agricultural tasks and help scientists monitor endangered species.This presentation propelled her into the public eye, with internet users dubbing her the “BeiDou Goddess” due to her intelligence, poise, and beauty.However, Xu disapproves of the label, deeming it more appropriate for social media influencers.She prefers to be recognised as a “young scientific researcher,” urging: “Do not underestimate a girl at the foot of the mountain, and do not deify her once she reaches the summit.”Xu obtained her doctorate at 26 and became the youngest doctoral supervisor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences at 32.During her tenure, the projects she led secured over 50 million yuan (US$7.4 million) in funding, and she has filed 38 invention patents.After receiving her doctorate, Xu encountered gender bias during job interviews; one male interviewer remarked that women were unsuited for scientific research.Xu’s journey with BeiDou was challenging; early on, inaccuracies and unfamiliar methodologies hampered progress, leading her to spend nights in the lab and weekends on extensive testing. Photo: HandoutShe countered: “There is no gender that is unsuitable for scientific research, only individuals who are unsuitable for it.”On social media, she stated: “Women are at their most beautiful when pursuing their passions.”In 2023, Xu was awarded several national honours, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Award. She currently serves as the deputy chief engineer of its Navigation Systems Department.Her story has resonated widely on mainland social media.One online observer remarked: “‘Goddess’ is never the most accurate term for describing a powerful woman. Her success is rooted in ability, achievement, talent, and character – not appearance.”