Yao Tongbin

Yao Tongbin (Chinese: 姚桐斌; September 3, 1922 - June 8, 1968) was a Chinese scientist and an expert in missile and aerospace materials and technology.

Yao was born in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. He graduated from the department of metallurgy of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in July 1945, and obtained a doctorate of engineering from University of Birmingham in UK in 1951. After returning to China in September 1957, Yao served in the fifth research institute affiliated to Ministry of National Defense, headed by Qian Xuesen. He helped found the Institute of Materials and Technology (later affiliated to 7th Ministry of Mechanical Industry) and became the director. Yao was persecuted in Cultural Revolution, and was beaten to death on June 8, 1968, at the age of 45. Because of his significant contribution to China's astronautical materials and technology, Yao was awarded posthumously the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Achievement Medal in 1999 by Chinese government.