Great Country Academician

At the space base, Academician Chang Huaxiang held the documents in his hand and took a deep breath to suppress the shock and complicated emotions in his heart.

While flipping through the proof papers on the supersonic flow problem in his hand, he asked: "I don't doubt your research, it's just..."

After a slight pause, he looked up at Xu Chuan and continued: "But, how can this mathematical theoretical proof be applied to our space shuttle?"

Although there has been little progress in the mathematical community regarding the problem of supersonic spoilers. But Chang Huaxiang did not doubt the proof paper presented to him.

After all, this person's character is famously calm in academia, or at least in the mathematics world.

Almost all of his published papers have been proven correct.

However, reality is more than theoretical proof.

Most of the time, applying a theoretical proof to technology to solve practical problems and difficulties is no less difficult than theoretical proof.

Especially in the two fields of mathematics and physics, it is the top priority.

Apart from anything else, mathematically speaking, four of the seven major millennium problems have been solved. From the Poincaré conjecture to the Yang-Mills existence and mass gap problems, behind each millennium problem corresponds to various fields of science and technology.

For example, the Navier-Stokes (NS) equation corresponds to the development of fluid mechanics.

As a subject with extremely wide applications, fluid mechanics can be said to involve all aspects of human biology.

Fluid mechanics is applied in various fields such as an electric motorcycle and a space shuttle, and even in residential buildings, high-rise buildings, and environmental protection.

However, it has been more than two years since the NS equation was proved, and fluid mechanics still has not been able to usher in a leapfrog development.

The reason is simple. It is too difficult to transform theoretical mathematics in cutting-edge fields into actual science and technology.

Not to mention other things, in the past two years, there are probably not many experts and scholars in the field of applied fluid mechanics who can fully understand the proof paper, let alone apply it.

This is still the NS equation that is relatively close to actual technology. If it is physics, there is nothing to say.

Those top theoretical physics results may not be applicable even if they wait for two or three centuries.

Of course, this does not mean that theory is not important.

Just like the NS equation, its proof will bring an open road to fluid mechanics, but people are still climbing this road.

Therefore, Chang Huaxiang still remains skeptical about how to transform this theoretical paper on the problem of supersonic flow around into practical technology.

Hearing this question, Xu Chuan smiled and said, "If I couldn't do it, I wouldn't come to you today."

After a pause, he continued: "Underneath the proof paper in your hand, there are the ideas I compiled. You can take a look at it first. Maybe that one is better to understand."

Hearing this, Chang Huaxiang quickly reached out and opened the stack of documents and glanced at the contents on the documents, with a somewhat moved expression on his face.

"This is. Shock Cone + Plasma Torch.?"

Xu Chuan nodded and said, "Yes, this is a method derived from the supersonic turbulence theory and the shock cone theory, the plasma torch active excitation technology."

“In Henry Allen’s research results, the head of the space shuttle should be blunt rather than sharp, so that a wide and strong shock wave can be created at the head to reduce the impact of the space shuttle when it re-enters the atmosphere. Thermal barrier problem.”

"According to calculations, the aerodynamic deceleration rate and specific shape of a blunt cone cannot be improved, and its aerodynamic heating rate and thermal load are equivalent to those of a sharp cone. The difference is that the boundary layer of a sharp cone is very thin and cannot be as large as a blunt cone. If a broad and strong protective shock wave is formed, it will not be able to provide heat insulation."

"But in the plasma state, this effect can be exploited."

"When a space shuttle or spacecraft re-enters the atmosphere on its return journey, the outer edge of its shock cone reaches a temperature of five to six thousand degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the air it comes into contact with has become plasma."

"Using this characteristic and the superfluid turbulence theory, a cone is extended at the head of the space shuttle. By releasing the plasma in advance, a high-temperature shock cone can be formed in advance at a farther position on the head of the ship, allowing the space shuttle to Relatively far away from the high temperatures and in a relatively 'cool' wake area."

Listening to Xu Chuan's words, Chang Huaxiang couldn't help but feel a little moved. He couldn't help swallowing and quickly added: "In this way, the thermal barrier problem during the re-entry process will have a huge impact on the pressure of the insulation tiles on the surface of the space shuttle. It will provide great relief.”

Xu Chuan smiled and nodded, saying: "That's right, use the plasma torch to push the shock cone at the bow of the space shuttle as far forward as possible, and you can adjust the shock cone by controlling the range of the plasma torch release. The size of the range can better protect the space shuttle itself."

After thinking carefully for a while, Academician Chang Huaxiang nodded and said: "This brilliant idea, if it can be realized, may not only be applicable to space shuttles."

After thinking for a moment, he continued: "But, what should be done to form such a plasma torch at the bow of the space shuttle?"

According to this idea, igniting the shock cone in advance through a plasma torch can theoretically greatly reduce the surface temperature of the space shuttle during high-speed flight.

Moreover, by igniting the diffusion shock cone in advance, the nose of the spacecraft or aircraft can be further designed into a sharp shape, and it does not have to remain blunt.

In this way, the air resistance encountered by the aircraft when navigating in the atmosphere will be greatly reduced.

When the air resistance is reduced, the same thrust can naturally make the aircraft fly faster.

Theoretically, this set of optimization solutions can not only be used on space shuttles to solve the thermal barrier problem when re-entering the atmosphere, but can also be used on fighter jets to increase the speed of fighter jets.

It's just that it is quite difficult to form a strong enough plasma torch, ignite the shock cone in advance, and control the size of the range.

Current plasma excitation technology generally applies energy to matter to turn it into plasma, and studies the properties of matter by stimulating energy level transitions of atoms or molecules in the plasma.

Commonly used methods generally include electron beam excitation, laser excitation, plasma beam excitation, etc.

But the problem is that the plasma excited by these methods is basically used for scientific research, and it is definitely not strong enough to form a shock cone on the bow of the space shuttle.

Hearing this question, Xu Chuan smiled and said, "It's not difficult."

"Um?"

Hearing the sound, Academician Chang Huaxiang came back from his thoughts, looked at Xu Chuan in surprise, and asked, "How do you say that?"

Xu Chuan said with a smile: "You have entered a misunderstanding. It does not require much additional technology to stimulate plasma at the bow of the space shuttle."

"The aerospace engine itself is the most powerful plasma production equipment. We only need to improve the ionization acceleration field to a certain extent, guide a part of the plasma to the bow of the space shuttle, and then stimulate it out."

Listening to Xu Chuan's statement, Chang Huaxiang suddenly understood and said with a smile: "It turns out you have already thought about it."

"Theoretically, this method should be feasible, but whether guiding the plasma of the aerospace engine to create a shock cone will affect the thrust of the space shuttle needs to be considered."

After a slight pause, he continued: "I will communicate with Weng Yunzong and organize personnel to conduct feasibility studies and design. However, it will probably be too late to complete this work before the moon landing."

Xu Chuan said with a smile: "That's okay. This design can be used as a subsequent optimization plan for the space shuttle. Whether it can be used for manned moon landing is not that urgent."

Chang Huaxiang nodded and said seriously: "Well, don't worry, I will do my best to design and manufacture it."

Xu Chuan nodded and said, "I'll leave you to the related work."

Chang Huaxiang waved his hand and said with a smile: "What kind of trouble is this? You have already solved the real troubles. For the rest of the work, anyone else can do it."

Xu Chuan smiled. Just as he was about to say something, he remembered another thing. He changed his voice and asked, "By the way, Academician Chang, how is the first flight related to manned spaceflight going?"

Although the research on the supersonic spoiler problem is going very smoothly, it is not a task that can be completed in one day.

In fact, it took him a whole week to solve this problem.

During this period, space activities at the space base had been going on, and he missed the first manned space activity of Xinghai.

Hearing this question, Chang Huaxiang smiled and said: "The space base has successfully carried out the last unmanned flight and the first manned space activity. Everything went very smoothly. The manned landing will be launched as planned. Month project.”

As the technical director of aerospace engineering at Xinghai Research Institute, he is naturally familiar with every voyage and the related overall situation.

The success of Xinghai is not only his glory, but also the glory of China. It is also their new pinnacle in the aerospace field!

Xinghai has shouldered the heavy responsibility of the new era and new development in China's aerospace field!

In the office, the two chatted for a while. Before Xu Chuan left, Chang Huaxiang suddenly remembered something and called out to Xu Chuan: "By the way, Academician Xu, I reported to you some time ago about the development of the manned moon landing project. As for the specific date, have you confirmed the date?"

All the space planning for Xinghai Research Institute and Xinghai was actually done by him. However, when it comes to the arrangements for the first manned moon landing, he will not handle it on his own behalf.

After all, Xu Chuan is nominally the person in charge of the Xinghai Research Institute’s manned spaceflight and lunar exploration projects. He didn't say anything. Who in the entire research institute and space base dared to finalize the time and submit the report?

Hearing this, Xu Chuan immediately slapped his head and said in annoyance: "I forgot about this."

Hearing this, Chang Huaxiang was stunned for a moment and looked at Xu Chuan blankly, not expecting this answer.

Regarding the planning of the manned lunar landing project, after the success of the maiden voyage of the Xinghai, the Xinghai Research Institute had already finalized it with the space agency in June.

Determining a rough time in advance is because this manned moon landing is China's first. The Xinghai Research Institute needs to discuss and formulate a specific launch plan with other participants who cooperate with the moon landing project, and coordinate and prepare for the specific launch. Work.

However, the approximate time has been determined, but the specific date has not yet been determined.

After all, the specific situation will only be known and determined after the completion of manned spaceflight in low-Earth orbit.

About a week ago, while Xu Chuan was studying the problem of supersonic turbulence, the first manned space flight of Xinghai was completed. After subsequent inspections and confirmation that everything went smoothly, the date planning for the manned moon landing project was put on the journey, and the relevant work report was also passed on to Xu Chuan.

Although they waited for a week and did not receive a reply from Xu Chuan, everyone did not care.

After all, for such an important matter as manned landing on the moon, it is normal to think more and discuss it.

But what Chang Huaxiang didn't expect was that he would forget such an important thing? ? ?

Taking a deep breath, he reminded: "We have communicated with the space agency and the superiors about the manned moon landing project a long time ago. Based on the analysis of the progress and situation at that time, the moon landing time was initially selected to be in June. The time will be determined after the Xinghai low-Earth orbit manned spaceflight is completed."

"And this matter was reported to you last week."

After a pause, he looked up at Xu Chuan, sighed softly and said, "If it hasn't been finalized yet? How about we have a small meeting now to discuss it?"

At first, he thought that Xu Chuan came here to discuss the date of manned moon landing. Unexpectedly, he came up with a supersonic spoiler theory later, so that he almost forgot about it.

Fortunately, there is still time, and it is not too late to negotiate and confirm. If it is delayed until June, it will really be a scam.

Of course, the reason why no one urged Xu Chuan has little to do with the performance of the Xinghai space shuttle and the requirements for the space window period of the moon landing.

Unlike landing on the moon, landing on the moon has strict window period requirements, but the window period restrictions for landing on the moon are not as severe as landing on the moon.

Especially when the Xinghai has more autonomous orbit correction capabilities, this window period limit has been infinitely reduced.

With the capability of the electric propulsion system, even when the distance between the earth and the moon is the furthest, it will not affect the Xinghai's lunar landing arrangements.

If it were a traditional manned spaceflight model, the space agency and space base would have been in a hurry. How could Xu Chuan be able to research his own things with peace of mind.

So everyone has been waiting for Xu Chuan's reply.

What people didn't expect was that such an important thing was completely forgotten.

I'm afraid not many people would believe such an outrageous thing.

After all, this is China's first manned moon landing project, and people across the country are waiting for it! ! !

For this kind of thing, Chang Huaxiang could only comfort himself by saying that the "Sichuan God" was studying academic problems such as supersonic turbulence and had no time to pay attention to the work of mortals.