Great Country Academician

Chapter 638: Crisis on the Xinghai

Jinling, the space center base of Xinghai Research Institute.

In the general control center, Xu Chuan and Academician Chang Huaxiang stood in the room, their eyes falling on the monitoring screen in front of them.

There, a silver-white space shuttle is flying in the vast outer space.

A long time has passed, and in low-Earth orbit, Xinghai has completed a series of experiments and tests including orbital flight, spacecraft cabin pressure adjustment, health system testing, weightless environment testing, etc.

In addition, under the control of robotic arms and artificial intelligence systems, they also carried dozens of seeds of vegetables, fruits, crops and other vegetation and exposed them to outer space to test the variability of cosmic radiation and rays.

Some of these seeds will then be planted on soil specially prepared for them for cultivation.

The other part conducts medical anatomical observations to understand their effects under cosmic rays and various types of radiation.

In addition, this time the Xinghai space flight also brought some animals, such as two experimental pigs, five experimental rabbits, ten mice, etc.

These experimental animals will also undergo various experiments. Some will be exposed to the space environment to observe the possible impact of cosmic rays on life activities, and the other will be used for other purposes to contribute to subsequent human space activities and accumulate experimental data.

But now, twenty-four hours have passed. In low-Earth orbit, the small fusion reactor in the core module of Xinghai was re-ignited, emitting endless energy and pushing the space shuttle to change its orbit.

Return!

After completing launch, orbit and experiments, Xinghai's maiden voyage finally ushered in the final stage of its journey.

A successful space activity involves more than just launching a spacecraft into space.

From launch, to orbit, to outer space activities, to successful return and landing, a successful aerospace activity can only be considered a success if this series of operations are completed.

In the control center, many researchers and engineers who had taken a nap returned to their posts.

Before Xinghai departs for return, they need to conduct another inspection and judgment on the overall condition of the space shuttle.

Including small reactors, aerospace engines, remaining fusion fuel, body condition, etc.

These things all determine whether the Xinghai can return successfully.

The inspection time is not long, and at an altitude of hundreds of kilometers in low-Earth orbit, there are not many projects that the ground command center can do.

Soon, a report sounded in Xu Chuan's ears.

"Report! The inspection before return has been completed. The current Xinghai is in good condition, all equipment is operating normally, and the remaining amounts of fusion fuel and high-efficiency working fluid are 54.2% and 46.8% respectively."

The Xinghai's maiden voyage was not fully loaded with fusion fuel and aerospace refrigerants.

After all, fuel and working fluids will occupy weight. Just for maiden flight tests and experiments in low-Earth orbit, there is no need to fill up the fuel and working fluids. These have been calculated in advance.

According to the reported data, the remaining fuel and working fluids are also included in the planning budget.

"Work according to the maiden flight plan!"

"yes!"

After confirming the status of the Xinghai, Xu Chuan calmly issued the order.

After receiving the instruction to return, under the guidance of the ground control center staff and the space shuttle intelligent flight control system, Xinghai, which was sailing in low-Earth orbit, began to modify its flight attitude and complete the orbit change.

The silver-white fuselage began to descend rapidly. In just a few minutes, the Xinghai was approaching the critical point.

Of course, when the space shuttle's intelligent flight control system detects a thick atmosphere, the high-efficiency compressor used to absorb air as a working fluid automatically starts operating.

The blue-white tail flame swaying at the tail of Xinghai turned into reddish purple, and the huge fuselage began to slow down. Under the combined effect of air resistance, wings and engine thrust, Xinghai drew an arc and headed towards the blue The surface of the land is sailing away.

At the same time, on the other side, at the Satellite Control Center of the Tsarist Russian Space Agency, a group of people stood in front of the monitoring screen and stared at the green dot that was moving rapidly on the radar scan map.

Next to the radar map, there are some photos that the surveillance satellite spent a lot of energy to capture.

In fact, they are not the only ones monitoring the return of Xinghai, or the space agency.

The successful launch of the space shuttle and the disclosure of the electric propulsion engine attracted the attention of the world.

At this moment, all those who have the ability will have their eyes set on this.

"What is that red-purple tail flame? Is the space shuttle really using electric propulsion?"

In the satellite control center, a man wearing a black suit and a majestic face, who supported the soul of Tsarist Russia, stared at the satellite aerial photos and asked the NASA experts beside him.

Although Hongsu lost to its opponents in the aerospace competition in the last century, it does not mean that their strength in the aerospace field is weak.

Even now that all countries are developing aerospace, they are still the second largest aerospace power.

Looking at the slightly blurry lake surface on the satellite image, experts in the Russian aerospace field frowned, shook their heads in thought, and replied:

"It's impossible to be sure. Judging from the development of working fluids in electric propulsion systems in the aerospace field, we can't find any working fluid that can correspond to it. There is no way to judge whether it is an electric propulsion system."

At this moment, a voice suddenly came from the satellite monitoring room.

"The radar detected an unknown object approaching the space shuttle named Xinghai at high speed!"

A shocking report sounded in the satellite monitoring room.

"what's the situation?"

"It is still uncertain. Preliminary judgment is that it may be a missile flying at high speed."

Hearing this, the man standing in the satellite control center suddenly contracted his pupils.

who is it? So brave? Aren't you afraid of starting a war?

On the other side, Jinling, Xinghai Research Institute Space Center.

The same alarm sounded quickly in the control center.

"Alert! An unknown object is approaching the Xinghai at high speed!"

"Alert! An unknown object is approaching the Xinghai at high speed!"

In the control center, the radar monitoring system and satellite monitoring system on the Xinghai sounded alarms at the same time. Standing in front of the screen, Xu Chuan was stunned for a moment while watching the return screen.

"what's the situation?"

In the control center, the staff of the aerospace control team reported quickly: "It was monitored that two unidentified flying objects were approaching the Xinghai at high speed. The target flying speed was as high as Mach 6.3. Preliminary judgment is that it is very likely to be missiles! Prediction: Fifteen minutes Then enter the Xinghai return orbit route!"

As soon as these words came out, the entire control center immediately became panicked.

"Missiles? Why do missiles appear on the Xinghai's return trajectory?"

"Who? Who is so brave!"

"What should we do? What should we do with our Xinghai?"

"Who did this? Are they crazy?"

The control center was in chaos, and the sudden news shocked everyone.

Standing in front of the main console, Xu Chuan also panicked. This kind of thing happened the first time the space shuttle took off, which he never expected.

The only good thing is that this time the space activity was monitored by satellites and radars throughout the entire process, giving them enough reaction time. At least they didn't wait for the Xinghai to be shot down before the report came.

Standing in front of the main console and pinching his palms to calm himself down, Xu Chuan took a deep breath and said quickly: "Quiet!"

After controlling the panic, he quickly issued a new order.

"The flight control team remotely takes over the Xinghai's flight system, increases the output power of the fusion reactor and aerospace engine, modifies the flight mode, switches the output working medium, and increases the Xinghai's flight speed!"

"No matter what those two unknown objects are, let's get rid of them first."

After forcing himself to calm down, Xu Chuan quickly issued the order.

In the control center, the staff of the flight control team responded quickly and controlled the Xinghai's flight mode according to the instructions.

After receiving the command remotely, Xinghai, which had entered the atmosphere, quickly adjusted its flight mode.

The power of the fusion reactor was fully turned on, and a steady stream of electric energy and high propulsion efficiency working fluid quickly entered the aerospace engine. Huge thrust emerged at this moment, and the speed of Xinghai increased rapidly.

At the same time, the door of the general control center was pushed open forcefully, and Yang Han from the Air Force Equipment Department walked in quickly.

Obviously, he received the relevant report immediately.

"what's the situation!"

With a tense face, Yang Han quickly came to Xu Chuan's side in three steps and two steps at a time.

"Satellite radar and Xinghai's radar monitored two objects with a height of Mach 6 that were rapidly approaching Xinghai. Preliminary judgment is that they are most likely two missiles."

Xu Chuan replied quickly, his eyes falling on the monitoring screen.

The circular radar wave flashed. After detecting that an unknown object was approaching, its monitoring display range quickly expanded a lot, including the Xinghai and the two unknown objects at the same time.

Judging from the picture, the center of the circle with green lights is the Xinghai space shuttle. On the right side of the display range, two small red dots are flying towards the green center.

"Seeking death! This is provoking a war!"

Looking at the picture on the radar chart, Yang Han had a gloomy face and said something through gritted teeth.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to look at Xu Chuan, suppressed his emotions and said quickly: "I have notified the nearest police station, and there are already fighter planes arranging to take off and prepare to escort. Missiles are also being prepared for interception, but there are It may be too late. The Xinghai is a bit too far away from us, and it is still outside the airspace."

Xu Chuan shook his head, staring at the radar map, and said: "The problem shouldn't be big. I've already asked someone to switch the flight mode. The speed of Mach 6 cannot catch up with the Xinghai, which is flying at full speed."

How far the Xinghai can reach in space at full speed has not been tested.

It is not convenient to test this in low-Earth orbit. After all, if it gets out of control, it may accidentally hit the earth like a meteorite, causing great damage to the ground and causing some adverse international effects.

Therefore, this extreme test will be carried out during subsequent moon landings and fire landings.

But the flight within the atmosphere had its first extreme test yesterday morning.

When the fusion reactor and aerospace engine are operating at full power, the speed of Xinghai can approach Mach 15.

This is the speed of using air working fluid as the propulsion working fluid. If it is replaced with a xenon working fluid with higher propulsion efficiency, the speed can be increased. However, in this state, the xenon working fluid is consumed very quickly.

At present, the Xinghai has less than 50% of the xenon working fluid left, and it can operate at full power and overload for about half an hour at most.

But this is enough. The xenon refrigerant with high propulsion efficiency can accelerate the Xinghai to the fastest speed in the first time, and get rid of two Mach 6 missiles. There is no problem at all.

The most dangerous time is when the Xinghai accelerates, that is, when it takes off from the ground. It takes a certain amount of time for its speed to gradually increase to the limit.

If you are attacked during this process, there is still a risk.

Fortunately, this process is basically carried out in domestic space centers and airspace, and there is no danger.

As for now, Xinghai has just broken through the critical point and is at an altitude of forty or fifty kilometers. Although its speed has dropped a lot, it still has a flying speed of several Mach.

In this case, it is not a problem to increase the power of the aerospace engine and adjust the flight trajectory to throw away the two guide sheets.

Hearing this, Yang Han's heart relaxed a lot.

The Xinghai is currently located over the high seas. If it crashes now, the remaining aircraft will most likely fall into the hands of the person who launched the missile.

On top, there are not only aerospace engines and miniaturized controllable nuclear fusion reactors, but also various top technologies such as improved superconducting materials and vector propulsion.

It can be said that their current leadership in the aerospace field can be found on the Xinghai.

If the wreckage of the Xinghai falls into the hands of the other party, the seriousness of the consequences can be imagined.

Fortunately, when the space launch of Xinghai was carried out, the space agency and senior officials thought that this might happen, and took certain preventive measures, such as satellites and radars to track the entire process, and installed the latest equipment on Xinghai. Advanced radar measurement and control equipment, etc.

But these measures are more to prevent Xinghai from unexpected situations during its flight and falling into the high seas or the territory of other countries.

The situation of others launching missiles to try to knock down the Xinghai has been considered, but this possibility is not high.

In aerospace activities around the world, even during the competition between red and blue in the last century, there has never been a case of knocking down an opponent's spacecraft.

Staring at the Xinghai speeding up on the radar map, Yang Han gritted his steel teeth with a gloomy expression.

This is not over yet!

Even if the Xinghai space shuttle can get rid of these two missiles, they can't let this matter go!

The launch trajectory and route of the missile can be speculated, and he must find out who is doing this dirty thing!

PS: I hope this chapter will not be locked up, please pray.