A big country of aerospace with black technology

"This is our latest design solution, which uses a segmented design to reduce the pressure on manufacturing."

Geng Bo pointed at the drawings and said to Zhang Xingyang.

The roller-type space platform is expected to have triple rings.

They are concentric circles co-rotating on the same axis.

"The most important keel will be made of titanium alloy to ensure the connection stiffness of the entire platform."

Unlike all current space artifacts.

The roller-type space platform is similar to a ship and has the concept of a keel.

It's all to strengthen one's own strength.

The ship's keel can withstand strong winds and waves on the sea.

The keel of the roller-type space platform is to prevent various impact objects in space.

Including various meteorites, space satellite fragments, etc.

Prevent the starport from shattering under these violent impacts.

"According to calculations, just laying the keel requires the consumption of at least 1,000 tons of titanium alloy."

"This is because our keels are relatively slender."

The keel of the drum-type space platform is only a dozen centimeters in diameter, but its length of hundreds of kilometers still increases its mass to a terrifying level.

Geng Bo said with some concern, "The cost of this project is far beyond our imagination."

"Just the materials themselves and the rocket launch costs would have consumed our entire budget for several years."

At present, in the materials market, the price of high-strength titanium alloy continues to rise, and one kilogram can be sold for more than 300 yuan.

The price of 1,000 tons is around 300 million.

If it were just that, the institute itself could afford it.

In comparison, the cost of rocket launch is a larger expense.

The most powerful rocket currently developed by the institute can transport hundreds of tons of objects to low-Earth orbit at a time.

The geostationary orbit carrying capacity is only 48 tons.

A 1,000-ton titanium alloy keel requires more than 20 launches to complete.

The cost of a single launch is about 120 million.

Just to launch a titanium alloy with a mass of 1,000 tons into a synchronous orbit will cost more than 2.5 billion yuan.

That’s not even counting various other expenses.

The institute's annual financial allocation is only a few hundred million, and there are a large number of other projects to be carried out, so it is impossible to spend all the money on this one project.

Even with additional funding from other sources.

But the funds coming in could not keep up with the speed of spending.

"As for money, you don't have to worry about it for now, I'll figure it out."

Zhang Xingyang supported his chin with one hand and said softly.

"In terms of structural design, are there any difficulties currently?"

Geng Bo shook his head, "There are not many difficulties in the main structure for the time being. We can barely solve it now."

"Such a plan would actually not be difficult."

The main structure of the roller space platform is actually similar to a completely flat umbrella.

In the middle is an extremely strong and powerful spindle.

Surrounded by sixteen radiating keels.

"According to our thinking, the difficulty lies in manufacturing, component launch, and parts assembly."

Geng Bo said relying on the drawings.

"The flatness requirements of these very large components are too high. The keel, which is hundreds of meters long, cannot deform more than one hundred thousandth."

"Even though we have made a lot of progress in forging technology now, we probably won't be able to make it."

These super large keels are the production units that Geng Bo can think of.

There are only two large-scale shipyards in China capable of manufacturing 10,000-ton ships.

Only they have the 100,000-ton forging press to forge these ultra-large keels.

"What if we use a segmented keel and then dock it in space?" Zhang Xingyang also frowned.

Geng Bo turned on his computer and showed the main body design model using segmented design, "This is the mechanical analysis we did."

"If a segmented keel is used, when the space platform is impacted, the entire main platform will shake violently."

"It will have a very bad impact internally."

“So we just gave up on using segmented keels.”

Geng Bo said this and changed the topic: "But if a technology that can be welded in space can be developed, then maybe segmented keels are also feasible."

Geng Bo's segmented keels use rigid connections.

It is fixed through the mortise and tenon mechanism between the keels and bolts.

Putting it into daily life, this kind of connection method is considered to be impregnable.

But putting it on a space platform is obviously not enough.

Because many of the equipment within the space platform are very valuable, not to mention violent vibrations.

Even a slight shaking can have serious adverse consequences.

"The development of space welding technology is not difficult." Zhang Xingyang also followed Geng Bo's thoughts.

"But it's unrealistic. We can't use all our precious astronauts as welders."

"Unless we can continue to develop automatic welding robots."

"Let them carry out welding work in space by themselves."

Although it is said that the country has started the selection of subsequent batches of astronauts.

But astronauts are still a job that only a small group of people can do.

This ratio is even more difficult than winning first-class merit.

"Brother, you are the only one who thinks these two techniques are simple." Geng Bo said with a slightly raised corner of his mouth.

"It's okay to say that space welding technology has a foundation in vacuum welding before, but now we just need to improve it for the space environment."

Vacuum welding in a general sense means that the welding environment is in a vacuum state, such as a vacuum chamber.

Materials are heated through electron beams, high-frequency electromagnetic fields, arcs, lasers, plasma arcs, etc. to achieve the purpose of welding.

These technologies have been exposed and developed in China since 20 or 30 years ago.

Not too unfamiliar.

"But a space welding robot, that would be too difficult."

Geng Bo had had many interactions with warships before when anti-aircraft missiles were put on the ship, and he knew more.

"Large ships, until now, have been particularly dependent on welders."

"Robot welding is more of an auxiliary function, and the welding effect is not ideal."

Robotic arms are more stable than human arms.

But in other aspects, it is difficult to compare with humans.

Especially in some complex welding areas.

Zhang Xingyang crossed his arms and said, "Then you think it is thousands of meters long. The integrated forging of the keel is simpler and easier to make."

"Well, that's really not the case."

Geng Bo scratched the top of his head, where his hair was already thinning. He felt a little embarrassed.

Then he threw himself onto the sofa in the office, almost forming a ball.

"To be honest, I feel that neither of these two technologies is easy to do."

Zhang Xingyang walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at the bright sunshine.

"Then let's contact several powerful domestic manufacturers first."

"After looking at their strength, we can decide which path to take."

It is impossible for them to open a separate welding equipment factory or forging factory for Star Port.

We can only rely on existing large-scale domestic enterprises and then make corresponding technological improvements.

"Well, now it seems that we can only do this first."

Geng Boqiang cheered up, sat up straight and said.

"Tomorrow I will go to Jiangnan Shipyard first. Their technical strength should be able to produce a keel that meets our requirements."

After the matter was discussed, Zhang Xingyang was ready to leave.

If Geng Bo hadn't asked him to come here this time, he would probably still be thinking about the thorium-based molten salt reactor.

"By the way, my son was just born last week."

Just when Zhang Xingyang turned around, Geng Bo raised his eyebrows and said in a brisk tone.

"Would you like to meet me?"

Zhang Xingyang, who had already reached the door, stopped.

"Brother and sister are born so soon?"

He had known about Geng Bo's wife's pregnancy several months ago.

I just don’t know when the due date is.

Geng Bo took out his newly purchased mobile phone and pointed at the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes on the screen with a smile on his face.

"This is my son, how about it!"

"It looks good!"

Zhang Xingyang lowered his head and looked at his mobile phone.

At first glance, it doesn’t look very good.

His eyes haven't been opened yet, and the skin all over his body is wrinkled and exudes a strange lavender color.

But this was also the first time Zhang Xingyang saw a real baby.

In the future, most babies will come from artificial wombs.

Children born to such a union of parents are already very rare.

Zhang Xingyang himself was born from an artificial womb and has no parents at all.

He didn't know whether it looked good or bad according to the current aesthetics.

"It's pretty good, but I don't know if I will look like you in the future."

When Geng Bo was young, he was still a talented person.

But after getting married, he quickly entered the realm of mellow middle age.

"What are you talking about!"

Geng Bo said jokingly, "You don't understand, this is the nourishment of love!"

"You single guy!"

Zhang Xingyang was speechless.

He really didn't understand and couldn't refute Geng Bo's teasing.

Unless he can find a girlfriend.

But he didn't care, it didn't feel bad to be alone.

"as long as you are happy."

"Has the child been named yet?" Zhang Xingyang asked.

Geng Bo looked at the little man on the phone with loving eyes, "The big name hasn't been given yet, but the nickname has been given."

"My name is Guoguo."

"its not bad, right."

Although he felt that the nickname was weird, Zhang Xingyang still praised it: "It sounds pretty good."

——

A few days later, the reception room of Jiangnan Shipyard.

"Mr. Geng, our forging technology is second to none in the country. If we can't satisfy you, then no one can satisfy you."

The vice president in charge of reception greeted Geng Bo warmly.

Jiangnan Factory actually has a relatively deep connection with the research institute.

Prior to this, several ocean-going survey ships used by the institute were all manufactured by Jiangnan Factory.

The vice president had heard some rumors before this.

It is said that the research institute will have a large order to be given to a domestic manufacturer with strong forging capabilities.

"Mr. Yuan, I won't say any more nonsense. Our requirements this time are relatively high."

Geng Bo kept turning the disposable cup with his right hand, and the green tea leaves inside slowly floated.

"So I want to know your forging strength first."

Vice President Yuan smiled and said, "To tell you the truth, apart from us, there are very few factories in China that can process ultra-large forgings."

“Forty years ago, we owned the country’s first 10,000-ton hydraulic press.”

"Our current 60,000-ton die forging press is also the most advanced in the country and has the most powerful processing capabilities."

The equipment of the Jiangnan Factory is of first-class quality not only in China but also around the world.

Not to mention, after so many years, they still have an extremely large number of skilled workers.

Skilled workers are far more important in heavy industry than in other industries.

Geng Bo stopped turning the cup in his hand, "Okay, let me tell you our requirements."

Vice President Yuan still smiled and did not take Geng Bo's request seriously at all.

In his mind, their Jiangnan factory met the research institute's forging requirements, which was not something they could easily achieve.

The institute is not planning to build large ships. At most, it is building a few ocean-going survey ships.

Although I don’t know why the other party made special requests for forging.

But it's not like they haven't seen all kinds of strange requests over the years.

"The forgings we want to process are 450 meters in length, 15 centimeters in diameter, and the flatness is required to be within 5MM."

"The material is titanium alloy."

After Geng Bo finished speaking, he looked at the other party expectantly.

If Jiangnan Factory can really meet their requirements, that would be the best.

He no longer has to think about welding issues.

The smile on Vice President Yuan's face seemed to be frozen.

The 450-meter-long forged piece was really beyond his expectation.

Modern ships, with a length of 450 meters, are also very large ships.

At this time, the largest sea giant was only 458.45 meters long.

Moreover, such a giant wheel does not use a complete keel.

They are built in sections and then welded together.

"Mr. Geng, what are you going to use this for?"

Vice President Yuan asked with a frown.

"Such a structural piece is really strange."

Geng Bo took a sip of water and said, "The purpose is confidential."

Then he glanced at Vice President Yuan: "Confidential level."

This is just the level of confidentiality regarding the keel.

If it is the core aspect of energy, it is top secret.

Vice President Yuan didn't ask any more questions. After staying in this position for a long time, he understood that it was better not to know some things.

"With all due respect, we do not have the ability to process such components."

"Everything else is not a problem, the key is."

Vice President Yuan sighed, feeling helpless: "It's really too long!"

Yes, the length of 450 meters has exceeded their processing capacity.

"Maybe you can look for a railway factory."

"They have a lot of experience in processing extra-long metal components."

Geng Bo's eyes lit up after hearing this.

Yes, why did you forget about the railway?

There are many similarities between the railway tracks and the keels they will make.

They are all extremely long components and also have extremely high requirements for flatness.

"You are right, Lao Yuan!" Geng Bo said excitedly. (End of chapter)