Chinese astronaut elected as Cummins board director

On December 8, 2009, Cummins announced the chairman and CEO of Ad Astra Rocket Company. Former NASA astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz was elected as Cummins Inc. Director of the Board of Directors, becoming the first member of Cummins with a Chinese background.

Zhang Fulin, aged 59, is the 10th member of Cummins's board of directors and his term of office takes effect immediately. He will serve on the Board Security, Environment and Technology Committee, as well as audit, finance, management and nomination committees.

Zhang Fulin will bring profound technical background and experience to Cummins. Born in Costa Rica, he had a quarter of Chinese descent and he emigrated to the United States when he was a teenager. In 1980, three years after graduating from MIT, Zhang Fulin was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate for his Ph.D. background in nuclear engineering and became the first Chinese-American career astronaut in NASA the following year.

During the 25 years of NASA, Zhang Fulin has become a key member of the space shuttle program. He has been in space seven times, has performed various tasks outstandingly, spent more than 1,600 hours in space, and has been dedicated to plasma physics. Research.

In 2005, after Zhang Fulin left NASA, he established Ed Astra Rocket and continued his design work on plasma rocket engines. NASA plans to conduct this application on the International Space Station in 2013.

"Cummins has always been committed to becoming a leader in the industry technology, and Mr. Zhang Fulin's advanced experience in engineering and engine technology will benefit Cummins," said Tim Solso, Cummins Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He has served the public service for a long time—whether he is working in NASA or promoting education in Costa Rica and Latin America as a whole. This is in keeping with Cummins’ mission of continuous efforts to improve our community.”

In 1986, Zhang Fulin received the “Freedom Medal” from President Reagan and received the “Outstanding Service Medal” on behalf of NASA’s highest honor for four times. Currently, he is leading Costa Rican's "strategy for the 21st century". This is a national project that aims to build Costa Rica into a highly developed country in the next 40 years.

In addition to his work with Astra Astro Rockets, Zhang Fulin is also an adjunct professor of physics at Rice University and Houston University.