Great Country Academician

(Additional update 7/10 for the leader of the alliance, Mr. Xingyan, there are still 3 updates left, it’s coming soon (ω))

Xu Chuan actually knew very well that the other party would not agree to the ‘remuneration’ of ultra-smooth surface processing technology.

After all, the other party is not gay.

He made this 'outrageous' request just to pave the way for the subsequent negotiations.

After chatting with Bill Nelson about the ultra-smooth surface processing technology for a while, Xu Chuan pretended to be a little impatient and said: "If the mirror manufacturing technology of the outer space telescope is not good, the reward will be changed to one Off-station space telescope, Weir telescope level!”

Upon hearing this request, Bill Nelson's eyes widened instantly and he couldn't help but ask: "Oh my god! Do you know how much the Weill Telescope costs?"

"Ten billion! A total of ten billion meters of gold!"

"If it costs 10 billion to repair the Webb telescope, why don't I choose to build a new one and send it there?"

Xu Chuan: "But 10 billion meters of gold includes all expenses including research and development, doesn't it? If we were to design and manufacture a Weber now, the money spent would not be that high."

Bill Nelson was going crazy. He almost screamed as he stared at Xu Chuan. He said crazily: "But do you know how much effort, time, and money it took NASA to build a Webb?"

"Yes, the current preparation technology is indeed relatively advanced and mature, and it is true that it does not require 10 billion meters of gold. But without 2 billion meters of gold, you are just dreaming!"

"I spent two billion meters of gold to come to you to repair Weber? Are you crazy or am I crazy!"

It's really hard to deal with someone who doesn't treat money as a number.

If there weren't too many mysteries aboard the Xinghai, and if those gentlemen on Capitol Hill hadn't given the order, he really wanted to turn off the video call and leave right now.

It's too difficult to deal with this.

Xu Chuan spoke 'impatiently' and 'seduce' step by step: "This won't work, and that won't work either. How can you cooperate?"

On the opposite side, Bill Nelson was silent for a while. His mind was a little confused after Xu Chuan had been tossing it for a long time. He couldn't help but ask: "Why are you always staring at the Webb telescope?"

Xu Chuan raised his eyebrows and said, "Don't you know that I am a physicist? Astrophysics is also an area of ​​interest to me."

Bill Nelson stared at Xu Chuan for a long time and asked with some disbelief: "Because you are interested, you plan to build a Webb-level outer space telescope?"

Xu Chuan shrugged and said with a smile: "Is there anything wrong? The universe is so big, there are so many charming planets, and the scenery is so beautiful. Can't I build a telescope and enjoy it?"

Bill Nelson opened his mouth but stopped talking.

After thinking for a long time, he spoke again: "The reward is a Webb-level outer space telescope. This is impossible. This price has exceeded the affordability of NASA and even Congress."

"If you are interested in an outer space telescope, I may be able to help you contact the Goddard Space Flight Center to customize an outer space infrared telescope, but you need to pay the manufacturing cost yourself."

"Of course, on the basis of cooperation, NASA can reduce some of the fees, and these will need to be communicated later."

If there were other conditions, he would refuse directly. After all, many of NASA's research are related to national defense.

But in comparison, outer space telescopes are not so sensitive.

After all, this is a device for the field of 'pure' scientific research.

It can be said that almost all the results of this kind of astrophysics and cosmology research will be made public, and it will not bring direct benefits to NASA and the United States.

It is relatively more about the fame brought by exploring the universe and the talent attraction.

Of course, the technological updates brought about during the research and development process are not here, they have been harvested by NASA long ago.

As for this cooperation, Bill Nelson also has his own little thoughts.

If it were before, he probably would not have agreed to help China customize a Webb-like astronomical telescope.

But after the last Artemis plan to land on the moon had an accident, the gentlemen on Capitol Hill were already very dissatisfied with them and were even preparing to weaken NASA's budget.

For this reason, Bill Nelson had to find other possible ways to fund NASA.

And this time the cooperation is not to provide technology, but to provide a transaction, and if it can also bring funds to NASA, making an exception does not seem to be a big problem.

And if he takes this condition as the basis for cooperation with Xinghai Research Institute, at least the group of gentlemen on Capitol Hill will not be so difficult, and maybe even the group of grandfathers on Capitol Hill will agree.

After all, compared with the small fusion reactor and electric propulsion system on the Xinghai, the value of the outer space telescope is far inferior.

Hearing this, Xu Chuan felt happy in his heart, but pretended to be expressionless and even a little irritable as he continued to argue with Bill Nelson.

Customizing a Webb-level infrared outer space telescope is actually his goal this time.

But if he hadn’t gone around in such a big way, or if he had proposed it first, it would have been impossible for NASA to agree to this ‘remuneration request’.

Quite simply, equipment of this caliber is on the authorities' banned list.

Because the technology involved in the Webb Telescope is very advanced.

From ultra-high-precision mirror systems and precision deflection mirrors to equally ultra-high-precision micro motors and wavefront sensors, actuators are the world's top and even unique in terms of technology.

It has to be said that even in the field of space shuttles, they have achieved overtaking in corners and replaced traditional chemical fuel launch vehicles with high-thrust electric propulsion systems, bringing aerospace into the era of electric propulsion.

But there are still some gaps in other aspects.

For example, they cannot manufacture large-scale outer space telescopes at present.

Ultra-high-precision mirror polishing technology is one of the areas where it gets stuck.

Currently, there are no large-scale outer space telescopes similar to Hubble and Webb in China.

Even though it was planned in the early years and planned to be launched in 2024, the survey space telescope known as "China Hubble" has not yet been launched.

And judging from internal news, this launch plan is still being postponed.

As for the reason, Xu Chuan is not sure, but now that the transportation problem of Xinghai has been solved, the only technical problem that can delay the launch of the survey space telescope is its own technical problems.

So in this aspect, I have to admit that there is still a gap.

In addition, due to the "Wulf Clause" prohibition agreement, NASA has never had any cooperation with them in the past ten years.

Of course, it doesn’t count that when Chang’e-3 returned from its lunar exploration a few years ago, NASA shamelessly came over and took a portion of the lunar soil.

This time, based on the Xinghai space shuttle, the "Wolf Clause" was broken for the first time and promoted cooperation between the two major countries. No one can judge the future direction, but for China, there is indeed an opportunity. You can gain and learn more through this.

Not to mention anything else, if this Webb-level outer space telescope is successfully customized, it will definitely be a great thing for them.

Its value far exceeds the cost of customizing the telescope itself.

After all, even if disassembly of many things is not allowed or unconditional, the research value is still overwhelming.

Just like the several cutting-edge five-axis CNC machine tools donated by the United States during Huami's honeymoon period in the last century, they are still studied as treasures by the industry and have pointed out many paths for the development of the domestic machine tool field.

This outer space telescope may also point out some paths for China.

Especially after the controllable nuclear fusion technology and aerospace engine technology are realized, and then through the precise positioning of distant galaxies through outer space telescopes, they are fully capable of sending unmanned space shuttles through the 'high acceleration' electric propulsion system. The more distant Proxima Centauri galaxy outside the solar system.

Maybe this time will be very long, maybe as long as ten years or even decades, but for the current aerospace industry, it is definitely worth it to take decades to send a space shuttle there.

On-the-spot exploration will bring them more information and even prepare them for future immigrants from outside the department.

PS: There will be more in the afternoon, please give me a monthly pass at the end of the month, thank you guys.