Great Country Academician

The first test experiment of the small reactor started at 9:30 in the morning and lasted until about 1 o'clock in the afternoon before it came to an end in stages.

In the small cafeteria of Xinghai Research Institute, Yuan Yingcai, who had followed the entire experiment, looked at Xu Chuan with burning eyes.

If large-scale controllable nuclear fusion reactors have brought earth-shaking changes to the energy field, then small-scale controllable nuclear fusion reactors have changed more of the military, aerospace, maritime and other energy supply systems. field.

Not to mention large equipment such as aircraft carriers, even a strategic bomber equipped with a small fusion reactor can have the ability to cruise around the world.

Not to mention a series of defense equipment such as aerospace fighters and aerospace carriers that can be deployed hundreds of kilometers or even in outer space.

This change will have a huge impact on the shape of future wars.

For Aerospace Science and Industry, which is good at the research and development of various national defense equipment and has developed a series of major military-civilian integration technology products in the information industry, equipment manufacturing industry, etc., if they can conduct business with Xinghai Research Institute on small reactors, Cooperation can definitely open up a broader market.

On the other side, the capital.

A small island in Beihai on the north side of Chang'an Avenue.

Yuan Zhouli, the leader of science and technology, held a report document in his hand and followed the guard hurriedly into the small two-story building in front of him.

He knocked on the door of the study room, and after a voice of 'come in' came from inside, he quickly opened the door and walked in.

"What's the matter? Why is it so urgent?" In the study, the old man smiled and asked Yuan Zhouli, who was hurried over.

After taking a deep breath and calming down his breathing and emotions, Yuan Zhouli quickly said: "For the first time, the latest news from Xinghai Research Institute is that there has been a major breakthrough in miniaturized controllable nuclear fusion technology!"

"According to the situation compiled and reported by Comrade Wen Yuanhang, Xinghai Research Institute has successfully implemented the ignition and power generation test of the small reactor."

"Judging from the current test data, the development of small reactors is going quite smoothly!"

Upon hearing the news, the old man's pupils sitting behind the desk suddenly shrank, and even he couldn't help but breathe quickly.

He quickly took the report document handed over by Yuan Zhouli and opened it. Inside was a data file about the small reactor test experiment, as well as some brief explanations about the correspondence between these data.

After all, not everyone can understand professional things.

After a quick glance at the report document in his hand, the old man showed a hint of joy in his eyes.

Putting down the report in his hand with a smile, the old man looked at the information and sighed softly: "It is a great blessing for our country to have scholars like Academician Xu."

If he remembered correctly, when Comrade Wen Yuanhang from Xinghai Research Institute reported to him last time, he said that it would not be completed until around February next year.

Unexpectedly, it was only mid-December and they had already given a satisfactory answer.

Although judging from the report, it will take a period of testing and adjustment in the future, but there is no doubt that it is just a matter of time.

He looked at Yuan Zhouli who was standing opposite and asked quickly: "According to Comrade Wen Yuanhang's report, after the small reactor is completed, can the Huaxing fusion device be dismantled?"

With the completion of the small reactor, the Huaxing fusion device modified from the Helix-7X has completed its mission.

Of course, this refers to the mission on the road to researching miniaturized controllable nuclear fusion technology, and in the remaining time, it will be transferred to the No. 03 aircraft carrier to continue its national defense career.

For them who have been waiting for a long time, this is undoubtedly the best news they have heard this winter.

Yuan Zhouli nodded and quickly replied: "I have communicated with Comrade Wen Yuanhang. The Naval Equipment Department will arrange a team to enter the Xinghai Research Institute to learn and understand while completing the transfer of the Huaxing fusion device. "

"The Xinghai Research Institute will also arrange a team to cooperate and provide technical support throughout the process. According to current communication estimates, it will take about two and a half months to dismantle the Huaxing fusion reactor and reassemble it on the No. 03 aircraft carrier. "

"So how are the preparations on the No. 03 aircraft carrier?"

"The transformation work of the No. 03 aircraft carrier started around July this year, including the transformation of the installation location of the fusion reactor, as well as the adjustment and deployment of the magnetic fluid generator set and the supercritical steam generator set. Based on the current work situation, it is estimated that it will be completed next year. It will all be completed around mid-March to early April.”

The old man smiled and nodded, and said with some emotion: "A nuclear fusion-powered aircraft carrier, who would have dared to think of this two years ago?"

Yuan Zhouli also smiled and said: "At that time, everyone was still studying controllable nuclear fusion technology, and many people even felt that this was a dead end and there was no way to go. But Academician Xu suddenly found this impossible. I have embarked on a road that leads to the sky, and my talent and ability are unparalleled in the world!"

The old man smiled, suddenly remembered something, and asked: "By the way, how is the situation on the aerospace side? I remember that the aerospace engine developed by Academician Xu has also come out, right?"

Yuan Zhouli nodded and said, "Well, some time ago, Academician Xu attended the manned spaceflight and lunar landing project bidding conference and demonstrated the electric propulsion system developed by Xinghai Research Institute."

"According to internal communications within the space agency, the next space project will most likely be completed using chemical fuel launch vehicles and electric propulsion systems working hand in hand."

"That is, the materials required for the lunar exploration project will be transported to low-Earth orbit through chemical fuel launch vehicles, and the transfer will be completed through docking, and the space shuttle will complete the manned lunar landing and lunar exploration projects."

After a pause, he glanced at the old man hesitantly, and then said: "But it's hard to say whether the Xinghai Research Institute can complete the research, design, manufacturing and testing of the space shuttle as scheduled."

"If there is a delay on the part of the Xinghai Research Institute, the timetable for the manned spaceflight and lunar exploration projects will either be changed, or the space shuttle mission will be handed over to the aerospace group."

"But in this way, no matter what we do, it will probably have a big impact on our aerospace development."

The space agency naturally has talents and vision. They can also see what Xu Chuan can see about the respective advantages and disadvantages of chemical fuel launch vehicles and electric propulsion systems.

It is undoubtedly the best solution to complete manned spaceflight and lunar exploration projects through this coordinated and cooperative approach.

Moreover, in terms of pie distribution in the aerospace field, more aerospace companies can also participate, breaking the previous monopoly of aerospace resources by the two major aerospace companies.

But compared to those old aerospace groups, Xinghai Research Institute's foundation in the aerospace field is still a bit too shallow.

In addition, the design and manufacturing of the space shuttle is a large project, and no one can guarantee whether it can be completed on time.

Therefore, during this period, the space agency was also quarreling over related work.

Some people feel that the current focus is not on developing electric propulsion technology and space shuttles. Although electric propulsion technology is important, sending astronauts to the moon before NASA is the most important thing.

Some people think that Academician Xu should be trusted and should be more proactive in promoting the development of electric propulsion systems and space shuttles.

After all, judging from the increasingly mature small-scale controllable nuclear fusion technology and aerospace engine technology, in the future aerospace field, electric propulsion will definitely replace today's fossil fuel propulsion and occupy a mainstream position.

And since they have achieved technological leadership in this field, there is no reason not to give priority to the development of electric propulsion and space shuttles. Continuing to follow NASA's butt and use fossil fuel propulsion is not a good thing for the future of the country's aerospace industry. .

Of course, there are naturally people who refute this point of view.

After all, the electric propulsion system and space shuttle are new technologies for China. There are no stones in front for them to cross the river by feeling. Whether the safety and stability are reliable is unknown.

Crossing the river by feeling for the stones naturally has its benefits. At least in terms of safety and stability, chemical fuel launch vehicles that have completed multiple phases of the Chang'e Project are naturally more confident.

Because of this matter, the space agency was almost split into two some time ago, and people from the two groups were quarreling in meetings every day.

Listening to Yuan Zhouli's worries, the old man smiled and said, "Competition in the aerospace field is important, but the most important thing is the development of our own technological strength."

"Whether it is chemical fuel launch vehicles or space shuttle + electric propulsion technology, they are the foundation for our country to settle down. The present and the future depend on the development of technology. We cannot stop eating because of choking."

After a slight pause, the old man continued: "Of course, in the field of aerospace, Xinghai Research Institute's foundation is still somewhat insufficient in comparison. We will definitely help when necessary."

Compared with the established aerospace groups, Xinghai Research Institute is a pure newcomer in the aerospace field.

Although a group of people were recruited from other aerospace companies to establish the aerospace research institute through poaching or secondment, the foundation is definitely not as good as that of the established groups that have been working in the aerospace field for many years.

However, the future of electric propulsion should not be underestimated. As some experts from the space agency foresee, this is the future development trend.

Thinking from the perspective of a country, he should not only look at the current development and competition, but also start planning for the future.

And when the time is right, bringing in Xinghai Research Institute can also improve the competition of domestic aerospace companies, which is in line with their previous policy of promoting the diversified development of aerospace companies.

After all, those established aerospace groups have monopolized the development of the aerospace field for a long time. Without some external competition, it will be difficult for them to become active independently.

Healthy competition can better promote the development of science and technology.