On Monday, Chinese meteorologist Wang Jingsong was awarded the William Nordberg Medal at the 46th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) in Florence, Italy. He becomes the first Chinese scientist to receive the honor.

Chinese meteorologist Wang Jingsong was awarded COSPAR’s William Nordberg Medal in Florence, Italy, on August 4, 2026. (Photo: CMA)

Established in 1988, the William Nordberg Medal recognizes outstanding achievements in the application of space science. In recognition of Wang's contributions, an asteroid has been named after him.

Wang Jinsong is the Director-General of China's National Satellite Meteorological Center and Chief Designer of the Fengyun Meteorological Satellite Program. He spearheaded the development of China's national operational space weather system and played a key role in expanding the global application of Fengyun meteorological satellites.

Under his leadership, his research team has achieved major breakthroughs in solar imaging, aurora observation, particle detection, and airglow monitoring. He also led the development of China's first-generation numerical space weather forecasting system, as well as Fengyu, the world's first AI-powered end-to-end forecasting model for space weather.

Centered on the Fengyun satellite constellation and supported by nearly 100 ground stations, China's space weather monitoring network has provided critical support for major national space missions, including BeiDou, Chang'e, Tianwen, and Kuafu. It also earned the only all-A rating in a joint assessment conducted by the World Meteorological Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

COSPAR is one of the world's leading international space science organizations operating under the International Science Council. The other recipient of this year’s William Nordberg Medal is David Sibeck, NASA’s Chief Scientist for Heliophysics.