Super Dimension Technology Era

In the maintenance workshop of Wenchang Space Center.

Li Guoqing was already looking at the Chang 5-D core level one that had just been recovered in front of him.

Engineers and maintenance personnel quickly use various equipment to detect the condition of the core level, mainly to repair the casing structure, electronic components, engine combustion chambers, nozzles, fuel delivery pumps and pipelines, etc.

The focus is on the fuel delivery pump and a series of sensors and control valves inside the fuel storage tank.

Because the components such as the engine combustion chamber and nozzle of the Changwu-D core level use very strong new materials, there is at least about 30% to 40% performance redundancy in the ability to withstand high temperatures and high pressures.

In space launch vehicles, the parts most prone to problems are often electronic components and fuel transfer pumps.

This is the conclusion of big data analysis. Whether it is the internal statistics of the Chinese Space Administration or the data published by NASA or the Lucia Space Agency, more than 60% of the accidents caused by the failure of electronic components in space launch vehicle or space shuttle accidents. %.

"General Engineer Li, all three electronic systems have been tested and there are no problems for the time being." an engineer reported.

Li Guoqing, who did not take it lightly, ordered again: "After other parts are tested, key components such as electronic components should be tested again."

"no problem."

While Li Guoqing was busy inspecting the first level of the core.

In the command hall of the Wenchang Space Center, Chen Yao also watched the second stage of the core orbiting the blue star and gradually descending into the atmosphere.

However, the staff in the command hall focused on the core level 3. Even if the core level 2 failed to be recovered, the loss would not be significant; but the core level 3 and the four satellites carried on it were important.

After all, a single satellite costs 800 million, and four satellites are 3.2 billion. If something goes wrong, the gain will really outweigh the loss.

…

Reporters and space enthusiasts in the observation area are talking about it.

Karina and David did not expect that the Chang 5-D launch vehicle would be recovered in this way.

"Isn't this the space shuttle?" David complained.

Karina repeatedly watched the landing of the first core just now. The more she looked at it, the more it looked like a space shuttle. However, unlike the American space shuttle, Chang 5-D did not pay attention to appearance and looked a bit rustic and ugly.

But as long as it is successfully recycled, no matter how ugly it is, it is still beautiful.

David next door was watching the live broadcast on his laptop. As a foreign media, he was not qualified to enter the space center for interviews.

The only media with internal interview qualifications are Xinhua News Agency, National News, and Pravda Journal. The live content of National News and Pravda Journal can be seen online.

In the live broadcast, a national news reporter was interviewing Chen Yao.

"Chief Designer Chen, may I ask how the first-level recycling of Chang 5-D's cores is going this time?"

Chen Yao smiled and replied: "It is currently under maintenance. According to preliminary feedback, the core level is in line with expectations."

The reporter continued to ask: "I heard that the second-level core of Changwu-D is also a recycling design. Is it the same as the first-level core?"

Chen Yao nodded and replied: "Except for the two stages of orbiting and re-entering the atmosphere, the other situations are similar."

"Then when is the core level 2 expected to return to the ground?"

"Probably about 50 hours."

…

There is actually secondary recycling of cores? For the first time, David put away his contempt.

Karina on the side also felt heavy. If the Chang 5-D achieves core-level recovery and core-level recovery, plus the 37.2 tons of payload, China's aerospace field will be on par with them.

Now NASA's own production and research capabilities have been suppressed, and it has been reduced to purchasing Lucia rocket engines. Only private space exploration companies are capable.

Among the remaining companies, Google, General Motors, and Lockheed Martin, only Lockheed Martin is developing so-so.

Google has been unable to take care of the aerospace field due to the semiconductor and Internet wars in recent years; GM has also suffered from the impact of electric vehicles on the market and has been losing money for 18 consecutive months. It has no time and money to invest in the aerospace field.

In this situation of ebb and flow, it is foreseeable that China will catch up.

Karina picked up the telescope, observed the launch tower and the fully sealed maintenance workshop for a while, and then put away the telescope.

"David, clean up, let's go back!"

"Um...don't you wait for the secondary recycling of the core?" David hesitated.

Karina waved her hand: "That's not necessary."

"OK."

The two quickly packed up their cameras and notebooks and left the observation area, preparing to take a flight back to Tokyo.

…

Atlanta Space Center.

NASA staff are closely observing the launch of Chang 5-D through the satellite system.

After all, this is one of their few competitors, and it is also a factor that affects NASA's funding. Because the faster China's aerospace field develops, Congress will have to increase NASA's funding.

Administrator John Max crossed his arms and silently looked at the satellite monitoring data.

Obviously, the performance of Chang 5-D is a bit unexpected, especially the stunning space shuttle-style recovery and the ongoing secondary core recovery, which all show that Chang 5-D is extraordinary.

Noon on the third day.

NASA is still watching the Core 2 and Core 3 stages of Long 5-D.

A staff member came over and whispered in John Max's ear: "Director John! Elon Musk wants to see you."

This guy? John Max raised his eyebrows, and then ordered: "Let him come over."

"OK."

After a while, the somewhat unruly Elon Musk walked in following the staff.

Elon Musk directly gave Director John a bear hug: "Oh! Dear John, long time no see."

"Okay, Elon, take your rude hands off me." Director John said unceremoniously.

"My old friend, it hurts me so much."

Director John pointed coldly to the door on one side: "If you are here to feel sad, there is a rest room next to it."

"Okay! Let's get down to business, what do you think of the Chang 5 rocket?" Elon Musk asked tentatively.

Director John knew what the other party was planning upon hearing this. He probably wanted NASA to support the Space Exploration Company's Falcon rocket.

"As you know, I cannot decide on the rocket launch order alone." Director John reminded.

Elon Musk also reminded with a smile: "I understand, but Mr. Administrator should also understand that only the Falcon Heavy can fight against the Long Five."

When two people are talking.

The flight altitude of the Chang 5-D core second stage dropped to the critical point, and after breaking into the Karman line, it briefly ignited three times in a row and used the auxiliary engine to decelerate and brake.

Until it was close to an altitude of 30,000 meters, the hollow wings unfolded, the auxiliary engine started, and under remote control from the ground, the core level 2 glided towards the Wenchang Space Center.

Ten minutes later.

The second stage of the core successfully landed on the runway of the Wenchang Space Center.

Under NASA's high-precision satellite monitoring, Administrator John and Elon Musk clearly saw the successful landing of the second stage.

"Amazing technology." Director John praised, this is his sigh as a human scientific worker.

Elon Musk, who is more concerned about profits, frowned. The successful recovery of the 5-D two-stage core is not a good thing for the space exploration company.

This is the essential difference between scientists and businessmen.

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