Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

In the cafeteria, at the dining table.

"Years ago, our old leader visited the United States and toured the Houston Space Center. Next to the Apollo 17 lunar module, the old leader met an American astronaut. This astronaut was quite remarkable, being the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth. At that time, the old leader said something."

Elder Qian began, "Today, I have seen a living deity." Although it was a joke, we felt a pang in our hearts at the time."

Hearing Elder Qian's words, Qin Yang immediately reacted, "Our aerospace system wants to develop a manned space program?"

The manned space program in later generations was launched in '92, but that doesn't mean there weren't manned space plans before. In that special era, both the United States and the Soviet Union sent people into space a few years after launching satellites. Of course, the East couldn't lag behind, and the 714 Plan was proposed to send people into space as well.

At that time, a lot of work was done, and even astronauts were selected and trained in the capital. However, due to various factors, the project was eventually terminated, and Eastern aerospace entered a period of silence.

However, everyone has ideals, and they are definitely still striving to develop manned spaceflight.

"Manned spaceflight? That costs money," Elder Qian said.

"In recent years, the days of our aerospace system have not been easy," Elder Wu suddenly lamented.

Like nuclear factories producing popsicles and aircraft factories making refrigerators, which are considered neglecting one's proper occupation, various industries should still start from their own industries and look for various advantageous projects.

If the aerospace industry wants to develop healthily, it must go abroad and undertake satellite launch missions around the world. Even if it only launches one a year, it will be enough for the aerospace system to operate.

Now, hearing Qin Yang say this, everyone present was a little embarrassed.

Everything is difficult in the beginning. Of course, everyone has thought about undertaking satellite launch services for foreign countries, but how to do this business, and what if the launch fails?

"General Qin, can we ask you to help us undertake satellite launch services? After all, we are not familiar with international trade."

"Of course, no problem." Qin Yang directly accepted the task. For him, this is indeed not a big deal. Since the aerospace department has this idea, he must support it.

It is indeed not appropriate for these old aerospace researchers to communicate with those people internationally. These people don't understand, and there are many things involved, such as the fact that satellite launches must be insured by insurance companies. If the launch explodes midway, whether it is the rocket's problem or the satellite's problem, etc., these must be clarified in advance.

"Okay, General Qin has agreed, then we can rest assured. Come, let's toast General Qin."

Elder Qian excitedly raised his glass.

"Everyone, don't get excited yet. I can help bring in business, but we must be strong ourselves. If we want to undertake launch missions, we must have the strength," Qin Yang said. "Let's take a look at what we have on hand to see if we can undertake business internationally. For example, the most important launch mission internationally is geostationary satellites. How much capacity does our rocket have to reach geostationary orbit?"

Ordinary near-Earth satellites only need to leave the dense atmosphere, and the altitude is only a few hundred kilometers, while geostationary satellites, if they want to operate synchronously with the Earth, must be launched to an altitude of 36,000 kilometers. This is the most demanding test of rocket strength, and at the same time, this type of business is the most profitable.

Hearing Qin Yang's words, Elder Qian continued, "General Qin, our aerospace department is currently developing the Long March 3 rocket. The third stage of this rocket uses a hydrogen-oxygen engine, which can transfer a 1.45-ton communication satellite to geostationary orbit."

This rocket is in the development stage and is planned to be launched in early '84. It is already the most advanced rocket in China.

However, this rocket certainly cannot meet international demand.

Seeing Qin Yang shake his head, Elder Qian continued, "In addition to this rocket, we also have the Long March 2C rocket, which has a maximum near-Earth orbit satellite carrying capacity of three tons."

Qin Yang continued to shake his head, "No, the thrust of our existing rockets is too small."

In the sixties and seventies, the American Saturn V rocket could already send the more than 100-ton Apollo spacecraft into space, and the old Maozi's rocket could also send tens of tons of payload into space. What about the East? Now, the East can only send three tons of payload into near-Earth orbit, and less than 1.5 tons to geostationary orbit. The two sides are not in the same order of magnitude at all.

The thrust of existing rockets is too small to meet the needs of commercial launches.

Everyone's faces darkened again. If they can't launch commercially, how can they make money?

"General Qin, stop beating around the bush. Just say what you have in mind," Elder Liu couldn't stand it anymore and said to Qin Yang. Everyone can't stand your back and forth like this. Just say it quickly.

"Yes, General Qin, please tell us quickly." Everyone then realized that General Qin must already have an idea.

"Well, if we want to undertake launch missions in the international market, we must have a carrier rocket with sufficient thrust. Take our Long March 2 rocket as an example, the thrust is far behind. However, there is a simple way to solve the problem of increasing carrying capacity."

"What way?"

"On the outside of the Long March 2C, bind four boosters, which can increase the near-Earth orbit carrying capacity to ten tons!"