Great Country Academician

In the conference room, Academician Chang Huaxiang, who serves as the technical director of aerospace engineering and is responsible for the design and development of the Xinghai space shuttle, is very interested in this new design proposed by Xu Chuan.

After the manned moon landing project was successfully completed, the dream he had worked hard for for nearly a lifetime had been realized.

But in the Xinghai Research Institute, he saw the more distant future and deep space.

Landing on the moon is just the beginning, their steps are facing the stars and the sea!

After thinking for a while, Academician Chang Huaxiang said: "If we want to simulate the vertical take-off and landing function of the F35 fighter jet, then we will definitely need to add an engine to the space shuttle to balance the bow and tail. "

Xu Chuan nodded and said: "Well, the initial idea is indeed like this. My design is to reverse the symmetry of the current aerospace engine, share a set of working fluid and compressed air intake system, and divide the flow through the computer. control."

He briefly explained his thoughts. On the opposite side, Chang Huaxiang could easily understand the new design.

After pondering for a moment, he said: "Theoretically, it is feasible, but doing so will put great pressure on the energy supply system."

"Judging from the current power of our small controllable nuclear fusion reactors, it is still quite difficult to maintain the full power operation of two large aerospace engines."

The aerospace engine is a veritable power-devouring behemoth. A large aerospace engine, such as the one currently used on the Xinghai space shuttle, can consume more electricity than a small and medium-sized thermal power station when running at full power. .

After all, to accelerate the working fluid to a very high thrust, the energy required is naturally extremely huge.

Xu Chuan smiled and replied: "Indeed, this is the current problem, and it is also the next goal of the Energy Research Institute. One of their next research focuses is second-generation controllable nuclear fusion, that is, deuterium-helium ternary fusion. .”

"Compared with the first-generation deuterium-tritium fusion technology we currently use, the second-generation deuterium-helium fusion technology can utilize higher energy."

After a pause, he continued: "Of course, the current second-generation deuterium-helium fusion is only a research object. We cannot place our hopes on this. It is only a follow-up direction."

"As for now."

Xu Chuan knocked on the table and said with a smile: "At present, this function similar to the vertical take-off and landing of the F35 is not used on the earth, but in environments such as the moon and Mars where the gravity is much weaker than the earth. "

"In extremely low gravity conditions, the power required to make the space shuttle take off and land vertically will naturally not be that large."

"In a short period of time, maintaining the function of the two engines through the current small reactor will not be a big problem. I have calculated this aspect. As long as the gravity does not exceed 0.57 times that of the earth, it can provide sufficient power."

Hearing this, a bright light flashed in Chang Huaxiang's eyes. He pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose and said, "If this is the case, then this plan is theoretically possible."

"only"

After a slight pause, he continued: "Using this solution to enable the space shuttle to take off and land vertically will probably consume an extremely huge amount of working fluid."

This method of take-off and landing is different from the support generated by the atmosphere and wings on the earth, as well as the acceleration when sailing in outer space. It is more similar to the process of the space shuttle switching flight attitude to break through the gravity well after reaching the critical point.

Based on the amount of working fluid currently carried on the Xinghai, they have conducted experiments before. When the aerospace engine is running at full power on Earth, the working fluid it can carry at full load can only last for more than half an hour.

To be precise, it is about thirty-nine minutes. At this point in time, the full load of working fluids carried in the two wings of the Xinghai will be completely swallowed up by the aerospace engine.

Not to mention dual aerospace engines running at the same time.

Xu Chuan: "Well, there's nothing we can do about it. But I think it's worth sacrificing the consumption of working fluid in exchange for the space shuttle having the ability to take off and land vertically."

"If that doesn't work, we can sacrifice part of the storage space to increase the size of the working fluid storage and carry more working fluid to space. Or, after the space shuttle enters orbit, we can launch a launch vehicle to carry the working fluid to replenish it."

"It's relatively troublesome, but at least it can be solved for now."

Chang Huaxiang nodded and said with a smile: "Indeed, as long as it can enter orbit, the working medium and fuel can be replenished. Compared with other methods, these problems are not a problem."

Xu Chuan smiled and said: "Well, the design and R\u0026D work will be left to you, Academician Chang, and the Aerospace Research Institute. If you have any questions, you can come to me at any time."

Although it seems easy to modify the design of the space shuttle and develop the second-generation Xinghai, in fact he knows very well that it is not an easy task to realize this blueprint.

However, there are always people who have to walk the path to open up the road. The era of crossing the river by feeling the stones has passed. Now is the era of them leading the way.

Chang Huaxiang nodded and said seriously: "Well, I will try my best."

After discussing the work related to the modification, optimization and upgrading of the second-generation space shuttle, Xu Chuan drank some water to moisten his throat and continued:

"The next step is the construction of the lunar base."

"Judging from this lunar surface rescue operation, NASA and the United States have already launched exploration and development work on the moon. Their life support units are enough for at least four to five astronauts to live on the moon for a month. above time.”

"Although their first round of deployment has been temporarily stalled due to the accident of the Artemis lunar module, strictly speaking, this cannot be regarded as a technical problem. It can only be said that there is some lack of luck."

"No matter what the current situation is, we cannot underestimate each other's aerospace technology. They have been deeply involved in this field for decades, and their aerospace technology in all aspects still occupies the current dominant position."

Although the construction of the lunar base is not an urgent task for China, it is even theoretically a loss-making business.

After all, the cost of building a lunar base is far greater than the benefits that can be harvested on the moon.

For them, the road ahead is gone, and they can only fumble forward for the rest of the journey. But there are always people who have to do this kind of undertakings such as aerospace and development.

Human beings cannot live on this blue planet forever. Although it is home and very comfortable, they will eventually leave the earth.

The moon is right at the doorstep, and it is the first stop that cannot be avoided. If you can't get through this first stop, don't blow into deep space.

In the conference room, the construction work of the lunar base was discussed in an orderly manner. From the stable communication system, to the ecological maintenance circulation system, to the working environment of astronauts and scientific researchers, every aspect is crucial.

Sitting in the front seat, Xu Chuan listened carefully for a while, and then a wonderful idea suddenly came to his mind.

He knocked on the table and said excitedly: "Perhaps the construction of the lunar base can be replaced by a space shuttle!"

Hearing this, the discussion in the conference room suddenly became quiet, and many people looked over with surprised expressions on their faces.

Xu Chuan didn't pay attention. He quickly said: "That's right! Just use the space shuttle instead!"

After a slight pause, he glanced at everyone and grinned: "Building a base on the moon is extremely demanding in terms of time, materials, manpower and material resources. It can even be done It’s a demanding job.”

"But we might as well change our thinking. The initial lunar surface base can be completely replaced by a space shuttle."

"Take the Xinghai as an example. Given its size and volume, we only need to modify the cargo hold and it can be used as a long and narrow base with a length of nearly 70 meters."

"Excluding the unusable core areas, the remaining space is completely enough to carry out preliminary scientific research work. If one plane is not enough, we can build a few more and send them up."

"With the current technology, the manufacturing cost of a mass-produced space shuttle will not exceed 500 million yuan. I am talking about RMB, or even lower. Its manufacturing cost is much lower than building a spacecraft of the same volume on the moon. base."

"And each space shuttle has an independent small fusion reactor that can be used as a power supply system. After being connected, even if an accident occurs on one of them, astronauts can quickly transfer to other space shuttles through the connecting channel. , which can greatly reduce the occurrence of space accidents.”

"Of course, the premise is that we can successfully develop a second-generation space shuttle and successfully land it on the moon."

In one breath, Xu Chuan expressed the idea that suddenly popped up in his mind.

He talked so much that he took several breaths to recover after speaking.

Others in the conference room were already shocked by this wonderful, even bizarre idea.

Other people's spacecraft are used to transport astronauts and various supplies. But in this person's hands, they become disposable tools?

If you send it up, don't you plan on bringing it back?

But I have to say that this idea is really feasible!

Generally speaking, that is, according to the current consensus among various countries, building a base on the moon will take about three steps.

The first step is to build a lunar base outpost on the moon, which is a temporary base in preparation for a permanent base.

The Artemis lunar module and life support unit sent up by the United States this time are preparations for this step.

According to current aerospace technology, this stage will probably take at least 5-10 years.

Similarly, take the life support unit sent by NASA. It is not a permanent base, not even an outpost. It can only be said to be the outpost preparation of the outpost.

After the first step is completed, the second step is to upgrade the temporary base on the moon to a permanent base based on the outpost, with people stationed there for a long time. This stage will probably also take at least 5-10 years.

After all, a permanent base needs to consider more things and the area is larger. Whether it is the life of the stationed personnel, the development of related scientific research activities, or even the development of lunar resources, they all need to be completed in this permanent base.

As for the third step, it is the final forming base.

On the basis of the established permanent base, further expansion and construction will be carried out to form a base group with comprehensive functions of deep space exploration, tourism, production and life.

As for the deeper lunar city clusters, they are not considered bases.

Currently, they and the United States are the only two countries capable of building a base on the moon.

As for other countries or the earth, if the EU as a whole unites and develops, it may be possible to achieve manned landing on the moon, but there is still a long way to go before the construction of a lunar surface base.

As for Tsarist Russia in the north, even if their aerospace technology inherited Big Brother's and made breakthroughs, their economy would not allow them to do such a thing.

So for now, the competition is between them and the United States.

If any country has the ability to build the first lunar surface base on the moon first, even if it is just an outpost, it can take a considerable degree of initiative in the development of the lunar surface.

For China, leading the development and development of future space is undoubtedly a key national strategic plan.

In the current competition that can be said to be a race against time, being able to use the space shuttle to replace the construction of the lunar base, saving at least five years and a lot of money, is undoubtedly an excellent route for overtaking in a corner. .

Soon, everyone who had figured out all the joints started to discuss it heatedly.

"This method is completely feasible. As long as it can take off and land vertically, considering the huge size of the space shuttle, it can be used as a temporary outpost!"

"This is equivalent to assembling a base on the earth and launching it directly at once. It saves manpower, material resources and other expenses than building it on the moon."

"Not only that, if we consider the purpose, we can further make the space shuttle larger, so that the base that lands on the moon will be larger."

"Indeed, considering the one-time round trip, part of the structure can be replaced with lighter materials, which can further reduce the weight and expand the volume."

"The key now is basically the vertical take-off and landing function."

While chatting and discussing, everyone suddenly turned their attention to Academician Chang Huaxiang sitting aside.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Chang Huaxiang was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly.

After all, the burden of lunar base and development, like the design and manufacturing of the second-generation space shuttle, all fell on his head?

But to be honest, he was also a little excited and excited, and he was eager to try.

After all, as long as they can take off and land vertically, theoretically, not only the moon, but even Mars and even more distant planets, they have the ability to quickly build an outpost or even a permanent base!

It turns out that the space shuttle can still be used in this way!