"Probably from the wing position to the rear, everything has to be redesigned."
The engine port with a diameter of 1.32 meters can integrate approximately 200 Hall propulsion units. By supercharging and rectifying the plasma xenon gas in the ionization chamber, it can eject backward a plasma plume that accelerates to one thousandth of the speed of light, thus generating the maximum 200KN thrust.
Although it is not listed on the market, there is definitely no need to worry about selling it. After all, everyone can see the potential of this fusion industry giant in the future. However, the construction of Fuxidui in Daya Bay has just begun, and the Southeast Asian power grid project has just completed the first phase. It would be a huge loss to be out at this time.
Lu Zhou: "Don't be like this, I don't blame you... you have done a very good job."
Taking the United States as an example, Columbia has a design life of 20 years/100 launches, but the total number of launches of all five space shuttles in use in the United States barely exceeds 100, and the cost of each launch and maintenance is also much higher. The estimated value at the beginning of the design.
Hou Guang thought for a while and gave a more clear explanation.
The space shuttle is not as glamorous as it seems on the surface. Even two superpowers competing with "the power of the whole country" cannot support mankind's dream of free travel to and from the sky.
"A conservative estimate is US$1 billion... Of course, no one can say exactly how much it will cost until the new design comes out."
Xiao Ai: [I'm sorry, Master! This is already the smallest size that Xiao Ai can achieve... QAQ]
Since the completion of the Apollo program in the 1960s, the United States has focused its research and development efforts on space shuttles that can be launched multiple times and are simple to maintain. In this space race, the Soviet Union naturally followed closely behind. It successively built three space shuttles, including Buran and Little Bird, and achieved certain results.
For example, for the original project code-named 863-204, which was the so-called "Space-to-Earth Transportation System", in the early stages of project bidding, domestic aerospace experts had a protracted debate over the "space shuttle" issue. Even voices supporting the space shuttle once prevailed.
However, times are always changing.
Lu Zhou: "What is the concept of more than 40%?"
Standing next to the industrial robot, Lu Zhou, who was wearing gloves, picked up a metal cylinder the size of a mineral water bottle from the plastic basket, weighed it in his hand, and then moved closer to the port of the metal cylinder, along the The smooth metal surface was examined carefully.
The thrust of a single engine is 200KN, and the five engines add up to 1000KN.
After Mr. Qian read the report, he only commented on it with nine words. It was these nine words that completely changed the almost certain technical route of the space shuttle, and also changed the development of China's aerospace industry. What the future looks like.
"... I have carefully studied the design drawings of the space shuttle. Considering the size of the energy supply components and the electric propulsion system, more than 40% of the space must be redesigned."
The Soviet Union was even worse. Three space shuttles were launched once each. After the 1990s, they were unable to fly. One of the test aircraft was bought by Germany and placed in a museum.
The development history of the space shuttle can be said to be a long one.
But this is an aerospace project. This kind of project has a long investment cycle and no obvious profit expectations. How can it be so easy to get a loan
Xiao Ai: [Really? 0.0]
"Professor Lu!"
However, just when everything seemed to have settled, the report was sent to Mr. Qian, who had already retreated to the second line.
However, although I am ready to burn money...
Lu Zhou: "..."
Logically speaking, such talented people are difficult to find. However, after learning that the boss of the company was Lu Zhou, and that Lu Zhou planned to build a space shuttle, he didn't even discuss the benefits in detail, so he took the job without saying a word. Star Technology’s offer came all the way to Jinling the next day.
The cost of US$1 billion was indeed a bit beyond his budget.
Thinking of this, Lu Zhou couldn't help but worry about money.
Xiao Ai: [Happy! φ(≧ω≦*)~]
Just when Lu Zhou was hesitating, there was a sudden knock on the door.
"You are an expert on space shuttles, so just follow your instructions. In addition, based on your experience, I hope you and I will briefly evaluate how much the entire project will cost."
Looking back now, it was undoubtedly the right choice to make such a choice at the time.
"The spacecraft case should also be reported to the central government."
If he wants to meet the energy consumption of this Hall thruster, he must further upgrade the power of the fusion battery.
Hou Guang pondered for a while and then spoke.
"… Um"
However, even if it is difficult to completely restore the technology on Wreck No. 3, this imitation is still quite impressive.
Speaking of Hou Guang, he is also an outstanding person.
After all, the specific design of this space shuttle is not his expertise. It is better to leave such professional matters to professional personnel.
As if she didn't expect Lu Zhou to be here, the secretary was slightly stunned when she saw Lu Zhou, but soon an expression of surprise appeared on her face.
After retracting his divergent thoughts, Lu Zhou looked at the door and said.
Lu Zhou: "What's the matter?"
In an excited tone, she continued.
Rather than bothering like this, it is better to simply use rockets and study how to recover the second-stage rocket. The cost may not be much more expensive than mature space shuttle technology.
Lu Zhou nodded.
"The funding we applied for from the space agency some time ago has been approved!"
The door opened and the secretary from the assembly center director's office appeared at the door.
As an old professor who once participated in the 863-204 project, although he was engaged in the design of space shuttles with his mentor as an intern, he still accumulated considerable research experience in this field. Later, he served as a professor at Beihang University and engaged in research in the aerospace field.
The only trouble now is that a 100MW fusion battery is probably only enough to meet the needs of one X-type Hall thruster.
More than a month has passed since the day he took up the position of technical director.
It's not like Lu Zhou didn't try to get Xiao Ai to make this thing smaller without sacrificing performance. However, starting from the current volume, every time the maximum diameter of the cross-section is reduced by 1mm, not only will the overall processing difficulty become geometric, growth, the stability of the propulsion unit will also be severely affected.
"Please come in."
How about borrowing money from the bank
$1 billion…
In this context, China was naturally unwilling to lag behind, and corresponding plans were also introduced.
A string of bubbles popped up on the screen of the CNC machine tool terminal next to it.
Even with a full load of 50 tons, it can achieve an acceleration of nearly 1G in a gravity environment. Although its acceleration is faster than that of chemical rockets, its advantage in specific impulse allows it to launch itself into low-Earth orbit without carrying a heavy working medium.
In terms of the cost of the space shuttle, this price is not expensive. After all, Columbia cost the Americans a total of 2.5 billion from research and development to construction, and it was still 2.5 billion decades ago. The fact that it can be built for US$1 billion is largely due to the fact that most of the designs were completed between the 1990s and the new millennium, and this assembly center can process most parts and only needs to be supplied. Basic raw materials are enough.
What he holds in his hand at this moment is an enlarged version of the Hall thruster on Wreck No. 3, which is also the limit that this CNC machine tool can process.
After placing the Hall propulsion unit back into the plastic container and fixing it, Lu Zhou turned around and left the assembly center building. He came to an office in the main building next to it and found Hou Guang, the technical director of the Star Technology Space Shuttle Assembly Center.
If you look at problems from a developmental perspective, you can find solutions to any problem.
"Why does it feel like it's grown twice as big?"
Want to sell some East Asia Electric Power shares
Lu Zhou has always been satisfied with his work.
Shuttle Assembly Center.
"It seems that the power of the fusion battery must be increased to more than 500MW... preferably 1000MW," Lu Zhou thought while staring at the Hall propulsion unit in his hand, "The power management system also needs to be improved... said Is there any way to integrate the ionization chambers of five engines? Or simply get a larger Hall thruster that integrates more propulsion units."