A big country of aerospace with black technology

While the debate over hypersonic weapons is still going on on the other side of the world.

On the Xichang launch site, the latest batch of low-orbit communication satellites is being prepared for launch.

Although it has come to late autumn and early winter, Xichang is a tropical plateau monsoon climate area, and the temperature is still kept at less than 20 degrees.

The evergreen broad-leaved trees on both sides of the road rustled in the gentle wind, and Zhang Xingyang and Zhong Zixin walked slowly.

"The weight of this batch of communication satellites has dropped by almost ten kilograms. It seems that you have worked hard."

Zhang Xingyang was already the actual person in charge of the entire low-orbit satellite communication network project at this time, so what he said now can be regarded as a compliment to the entire staff of the 101 Satellite Research Institute led by Zhong Zixin.

"The main reason is to use a new generation of composite materials with higher strength but lighter weight, which reduces the weight of many main structural parts."

After Zhong Zixin smiled, he said:

"This is mainly thanks to you. If it weren't for your introduction, we would not know that the current domestic composite materials are so powerful."

On the original generation of low-orbit communication satellites, the main structural parts are still relatively common high-strength alloys in the aerospace field.

Although the performance is excellent in all aspects, it is not satisfactory in terms of weight.

So after learning about this situation, Zhang Xingyang introduced the 701 Material Factory to the 101 Satellite Research Institute.

The composite materials that can be produced by the 701 Material Factory are no longer the ones that just started.

The material laboratory that Su Xiao is in charge of is constantly producing new material formulas, which are then taken to Factory 703 for mass production.

What Zhong Zixin and the others used on satellites is one of them, a new generation of composite materials that are specially improved for various complex situations in the space environment for a long time.

"Everyone is for the better progress of this project, and there is no such thing as thanks."

Zhang Xingyang was still very humble, he didn't really take other people's thanks seriously.

"By the way, our satellite communication system played a lot of roles during the flood fight in August."

One moment he was still talking about the satellite, and the next second Zhang Xingyang talked about the flood fighting in August this year.

"The higher-ups recorded a collective credit for the entire project involving the unit."

"It is estimated that the certificate will be sent to you at the end of the month."

Speaking of this incident, Zhong Zixin was also full of emotion:

"Fighting the flood was an unforgettable experience."

Compared with the Rocket Research Institute in the southwest, the 101 Satellite Research Institute in Jiangcheng almost engraved Zhong Zixin's deep impression on this matter deep in his mind.

In July 1998, our mother river, the Yangtze River, broke out, almost the most serious flood since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Hao Hao yellow soup, spread in the heart of the country.

At that time, Jiangcheng, where the 101 Satellite Research Institute was located, was also on the front line of flood fighting.

The flood not only destroyed roads, farmland, and houses, but also destroyed the extremely important ground communication system.

At the critical moment, the country urgently ordered that the entire satellite communication system undergo an emergency reorientation.

From the original coverage of East China, it moved to the sky above the disaster area.

Provide sufficient communication bandwidth for flood fighting and rescue work, so that the entire flood fighting command system can run smoothly.

"At that time, you really worked hard." Zhang Xingyang patted Zhong Zixin on the shoulder and said.

Although the satellites in space have their own fuel and can change orbits, but their service life will be greatly reduced, but under such an emergency situation at that time, everyone didn't care so much.

After all, for every second wasted, there might be a problem with one of the embankments.

When the satellite moved smoothly to the central China area with the most severe rainstorm and the largest water flow, the technical team led by Zhong Zixin and others.

In order to allow the entire command system to be connected to the satellite communication system smoothly, they spent almost all day and night on the front line of flood fighting.

Because at that time the entire command system was next to the embankment, almost built on the water's edge!

"It's all what we should do, it's just a matter of duty."

Zhong Zixin is not too proud, after all, these credits actually belong to everyone.

It's just that they are special because they are on the front line of flood fighting.

Those who provide guidance for the satellite orbit change work in various places and issue various work instructions are all heroes in this matter.

When Zhang Xingyang proposed the low-orbit satellite communication network, he considered using it as an emergency communication system in various emergency disasters.

And this flood fighting work also shows the ability of the low-orbit satellite communication network in this regard.

"It's a pity that the service life of communication satellites will decrease by at least 20% after undergoing orbital changes."

Although it turns out that there is no problem with the road of the satellite communication network, the decline in service life still gives Zhang Xingyang a headache.

After all, at this time, I am not only the department head of the launch vehicle part of the entire project, but the actual person in charge of the entire project.

There are things to consider that go far beyond what was originally assigned to you.

The decline in the service life of the first phase of satellites means that the launch of the second phase of communication satellites must be advanced.

This affects the whole body, and the planning time of the entire project needs to be adjusted.

In the original plan, the use time of the first phase of communication satellites was three years, but under the current circumstances, the service life may only be two and a half years.

If the second phase of the satellite launch is still carried out according to the original construction schedule, there will be a satellite blank period of several months before the second phase of satellite launch.

Therefore, the launch of the second phase of the communication satellite is almost a certainty.

This has put a lot of pressure on the 101 Satellite Research Institute, which originally planned to upgrade the communication satellites during the second phase of the project.

"Director Zhong, regarding the construction of the second phase of the project, we conducted an expert demonstration last week."

At a crossroads, Zhang Xingyang stopped his footsteps and turned his head and said.

"You didn't come at that time, but our deputy director came here. I don't know if he made it clear to you."

When Zhong Zixin was in charge of the research work of a relatively key technology node, he had no time to participate, so he could only ask their deputy director to participate.

"He told me." Zhong Zixin frowned at the mention of this matter: "The second phase of the project will be advanced three months."

"Yes, three months is already the shortest time without delaying the construction of the communication system."

Zhang Xingyang is very serious, no longer the gentle expression before.

"The biggest problem now is whether the new generation of communication satellites that you originally researched for the second phase of the project can still be completed as scheduled?"

This problem is very critical and directly related to the working performance of the second-phase satellite communication network.

Because in the past few years, the number of mobile communication users in China has almost doubled every year.

When the first phase of communication satellite design work was carried out, the number of domestic mobile communication users was only 13.8 million.

And this year, the number of mobile communication users has exceeded 30 million!

Therefore, during the second phase of the construction project, the performance of the communication satellite also needs to be upgraded accordingly.

The number of simultaneous users of a single satellite will be upgraded from the original 400,000 users to 800,000.

"Actually, other upgrades and renovations are relatively simple and can be completed quickly."

Zhong Zixin looked at the setting sun falling between the mountains in the distance, and said:

"The upgrade work on the satellite platform will be completed by the end of this year if there are no unexpected circumstances."

"But the most troublesome thing now is the problem of communication equipment."

"The progress of the Communication Research Institute is not very satisfactory. According to the original planned timetable, the research and development work will not be completed until the second half of next year."

"After their development is complete, we will need a little time to carry out the integration work."

"Time is almost rushing to the next year."

Such a long time has far exceeded Zhang Xingyang's current plan.

It can even be said that even the original planning timetable, they were not able to complete it on time!

"What is the situation of the Communication Research Institute? Why is the research and development progress so slow?"

Zhang Xingyang also frowned at this time, and said somewhat incomprehensibly.

After all, the Communication Research Institute has not lost the chain once or twice. When the first batch of communication satellites were researched and developed last time, it was also overweight due to communication equipment.

This time, there was an overdue problem, which made Zhang Xingyang even more dissatisfied with the Communication Research Institute.

Zhong Zixin glanced at Zhang Xingyang and pursed his lips, wondering if he should say it or not.

After a while, I made up my mind and said:

"Dean Zhang, I wonder if you have heard some rumors about the Communication Research Institute?"

Zhang Xingyang had never been interested in these gossips, so he didn't know what he wanted to ask at this time.

Seeing the confused expression on Zhang Xingyang's face, Zhong Zixin understood a little bit, Zhang Xingyang must not pay attention to these things on weekdays.

"Dean Zhang, you may not be very clear. Even in a scientific research institute like ours with many projects, the conditions in all aspects are not very good."

"Not to mention those institutes with poor conditions."

At this moment, Zhang Xingyang somewhat understood what Zhong Zixin wanted to say.

"The Institute of Communications is a model here, especially in recent years there are many powerful researchers in the Institute of Communications."

"I can't stand the treatment in the research institute, which is almost the same for thousands of years, and I have gone south to the special zone to make money."

After saying this, Zhong Zixin breathed a sigh of relief.

Originally thought that Zhang Xingyang would have a puzzled or dissatisfied expression on his face, but found that Zhang Xingyang did not have any changes in expression.

At first Zhang Xingyang thought it was some other problem, but after Zhong Zixin finished speaking, he realized that it was just a problem of salary.

In fact, Zhang Xingyang subconsciously ignored this. After all, the Rocket Research Institute was no longer in a stage of financial constraints.

All kinds of benefits and benefits for the staff have never been left behind.

This made Zhang Xingyang subconsciously assume that the situation of other families was the same as his own.

But in fact, it is not. At this time, the life of various research institutes is not very easy.

And at this time in the special zone, professional and technical personnel such as those from the Communication Research Institute are very valuable.

After all, this is an era when the Internet has just emerged, and skilled programmers are almost rare.

Looking at those former classmates of mine, who can earn almost a year's salary in a month in the special zone, it is hard not to be tempted.

"The issue of remuneration is not a big problem." Zhang Xingyang said:

"As long as it doesn't involve a matter of principle, then it's nothing!"

Since Zhang Xingyang, who is the person in charge of the entire project, said so, Zhong Zixin couldn't say anything more.

——

The Institute of Communications, like the 101 Satellite Institute, is located in Jiangcheng.

This is also the reason why Zhong Zixin was able to get so much gossip about the Communication Research Institute.

Standing at the entrance of the research institute, Zhang Xingyang looked at the low building in front of him, and the signboards on both sides of the entrance with a lot of paint peeling off.

Before coming here, I thought that the situation of the Communication Research Institute might be relatively poor, but I didn't expect that even this kind of appearance is not good.

One can imagine the internal situation!

Although the Communication Research Institute is not very good now, there are still everything that should be there.

For example, the security guards at the gate.

Because Zhang Xingyang was wearing regular clothes this time, and he didn't show any certificates or letters of introduction that could prove his identity.

So after staying at the door for a while, it attracted the attention of the guards who were still in the guard booth.

In any case, the Institute of Communications also has a certain level of confidentiality, and outsiders cannot enter without a valid reason.

Seeing the increasingly vigilant eyes of the guards, Zhang Xingyang didn't want to cause any trouble.

So he walked into the guard booth and handed out his ID.

"Your director, are you in the institute now?" Zhang Xingyang asked after collecting the certificates returned by the other party.

"The director has something to go out, but the deputy director is now in the institute, how about I take you there."

After confirming the other party's identity, the guards did not dare to neglect.

"Well, it just so happens that I don't know the way."

Zhang Xingyang didn't refuse too much. When he came to a strange place, it would be nice to have someone to lead the way.

The deputy director's office is not very far away, just a few steps away.

After thanking the security guards who led him the way, Zhang Xingyang pushed open the door of the office.

Jiang Hanshu, who was still immersed in his work, raised his head to look at the person in front of him, and found that he did not recognize him.

Out of courtesy, Zhang Xingyang introduced himself:

"Hi, I'm Zhang Xingyang."

"Currently responsible for the second phase of the satellite communication project."

Although Jiang Hanshu had never actually met Zhang Xingyang, he had heard it mentioned by the director, and the current key project of the research institute was the research and development of communication equipment on communication satellites.

So I didn't doubt Zhang Xingyang's identity too much, stood up naturally, shook hands with Zhang Xingyang and said:

"Hello, I'm Jiang Hanshu, deputy director of the Communication Research Institute."

Zhang Xingyang didn't have much time to come to Jiangcheng this time, but he just dropped by, so he didn't talk nonsense with Jiang Hanshu.

Instead, he said straight to the point: "Director Jiang, I heard that the communication research institute is currently understaffed, resulting in a slow progress in the research and development of communication equipment."

"Is this true?"

Although after Jiang Hanshu learned about Zhang Xingyang's identity, he had guessed that he might have come to Xingshi to inquire about the crime.

But I didn't expect the other party to be so direct, without beating around the bush at all.

For a moment, Jiang Hanshu fell into silence, not knowing how to answer.

"I am not here this time to find fault with you." Zhang Xingyang first explained his purpose of coming: "On the contrary, I am here to solve your problems."

"The problem of communication equipment has seriously hindered the construction progress of the second phase of the project."

"So if you have any problems, just ask them directly, and I will solve everything I can solve for you."

At this time, Jiang Hanshu also had a bit of recollection, so he also said: "You have also seen the situation we are in. The biggest problem now is that we have no money!"

Although they did not lack their funds when developing communication equipment.

But it is impossible to support such a research institute with such a project.

"How much is the difference, write a budget report, as long as it is not too exaggerated, I can solve it for you."

Zhang Xingyang directly gave the promise, but he also knew that it was only treating the symptoms, not the root cause.

In order to truly solve the problems of the Institute of Communications, it is still necessary to cultivate their self-hematopoietic ability.

Jiang Hanshu didn't show much excitement when he heard that the budget could be increased.

Instead, he smiled bitterly and said, "Even if the money problem is solved, we still don't have enough manpower to carry out research and development work."

"Just recruit if there is no one. All universities and colleges, as long as you need it, make a list for me."

"I'll find a way for you!"

When Zhang Xingyang said this, he felt very aggressive:

"I have only one request, and that is to complete the research and development of the equipment before next June!"

"Can it be done?!"

Jiang Hanshu did not expect that Zhang Xingyang could solve these two problems that had troubled them for several years.

At this time, he still couldn't believe it, and asked aloud: "Director Zhang, is everything you said true?"

"If everything can be solved, we will be able to complete the research and development work in May next year."

This is really not Jiang Hanshu's bragging. In fact, domestic communication technology is not very backward compared with other technical fields at this time.

What their research institute lacks now is personnel and money.

"Of course, the money and people issues will be resolved for you within this month." Zhang Xingyang said.

"However, you'd better find a way to find some other way out. It's hard to go long-term with state funding alone."

Jiang Hanshu is also very helpless. They also know that it is best if they can make money from the market, but they are really powerless!

"We also tried to make some market-oriented products, but the sales were not very good."

Seeing that their current situation is even worse than that of the Rocket Research Institute, Zhang Xingyang still couldn't help but want to give them some advice:

"That's why you didn't find what the market wanted."

"For example, we are now after the satellite communication system is built."

"Domestic mobile phones must be equipped with a satellite communication module, otherwise it cannot be integrated into the entire system."

"There are great business opportunities here!"

Jiang Hanshu is not a stupid person, he quickly realized: "You mean to let us make a terminal module for satellite communication?"

"But we don't have the technology for miniaturization."

Zhang Xingyang stood up at this time and walked towards the door: "If you don't have one, find a way to develop it. The road is made step by step!"