In August, the sun shines brightly.
Two or three months have passed since the last combined gas generator-turbine disk experiment.
Individual experiments on each subsystem have been conducted several times.
Basically, there are no problems with the sub-systems alone. Now it is time to conduct a full-system test run.
See how the various systems work together.
The test bed where this test run is located is not at the location of the last test run. After all, the risks faced by the full system test run are much greater than before.
The pressures faced in various aspects such as fire protection, explosion prevention, safety, etc. are not comparable to last time.
Arrangements were also made to prevent espionage, and the two mountains on both sides of the canyon where the test bed was located were searched like a dragnet.
The engine is tilted on the test bench, and its thick tail nozzle looks like a huge cannon.
He is about to send out his first roar to the world.
According to the commonly used naming rules for domestic rocket engines, the new 110-ton liquid oxygen kerosene engine is named YF-110.
In sharp contrast to the powerful thrust of the new engine, is its flexible and compact body.
The extensive use of new carbon-carbon composite materials has greatly reduced its size and mass, and its weight has reached the level of more than 500 kilograms.
Zhang Xingyang was eating a bag of steamed buns. He had basically not rested since last night.
I have been busy leading people to perform final inspections on the engine, trying to eliminate various problems before the engine is tested.
"Have you had breakfast? Do you want some?"
As the person in charge of the core combustion chamber and turbine disk, Geng Bo also didn't sleep all night, but he seemed very energetic.
From the bag Zhang Xingyang was carrying, he took out a meat bun and took a bite:
"The buns made by the master chef in our courtyard are not as delicious."
"Hahaha, that's for sure, the master chef of our institute is a special chef!"
Zhang Xingyang laughed, but he didn't worry too much about these small issues.
"Have the problems discovered during last night's inspection been resolved?"
During the last few inspections last night, engineers discovered a problem with a valve on the engine.
If the surface finish of the valve is not in place, the valve will not work properly, and there may be a risk of leakage during operation.
If the high-pressure gas in the engine, which is as high as several thousand degrees, is really allowed to leak out, it will come into contact with the liquid oxygen and kerosene in the pipeline.
The consequences would be disastrous, and the worst possible outcome would be for the entire experimental station to fly into the sky.
Of course, this is only the worst consideration. The most likely scenario is that a leak occurs and the experiment is terminated.
However, for aerospace engineering, which strives for excellence, it basically cannot tolerate a little mistake.
Even a one in 10,000 possibility is intolerable.
Because once a bad event occurs, the losses will be unacceptable to astronauts.
"The unqualified valves have been replaced, and I asked them to check all the pipelines again, and no other problems were found."
Geng Bo was very serious when talking about this matter.
"Don't be afraid of wasting time. Even if the test run is postponed, we can't have an accident on the test bench!"
Zhang Xingyang's words seemed a little harsh, but these were matters of principle and no compromise could be made.
"We have inspected it three times and have found no new problems for the time being. We are now conducting the fourth inspection."
After finishing the buns in two mouthfuls, Geng Bo was ready to continue to see how their inspection was going.
"If there are still no problems after this inspection, then prepare to conduct an ignition experiment."
After so many ground inspections, no problem has been found, so a few more inspections probably won’t find any problems.
Then we can only go to the test bed to see if there will be any problems when he is working.
...
Half a day later, it was still the familiar bulletproof glass.
Zhang Xingyang, who was wearing sunglasses, and many people in the institute looked nervously at the engine sitting quietly on the test stand.
Accompanied by a countdown.
"ignition!"
Zhang Xingyang gently pressed the red button under the plastic cover.
In 0.0005 milliseconds, the electrical signal is transmitted to the control valve through the cable, and the gas generator is instantly ignited to generate high-pressure gas.
Then the turbine disk starts working, transferring the liquid oxygen and kerosene in the storage tank to the combustion chamber.
A fire dragon dozens of meters long soared into the sky!
The light blue flame is like a blue laser sword, cutting through the light mist in the mountains.
Like a divine weapon that shakes away the floating clouds in the sky.
Along with the flames came billowing white clouds of smoke.
The powerful rocket engine is like a powerful cloud-making machine, ejecting clouds like hills into the air.
"Ignition successful!"
The little girl responsible for monitoring the ignition status of the rocket shouted excitedly.
Although now everyone is a little happy facing this good start.
But successful ignition is only the first step in engine testing, just like a child who has just been able to stand up.
As for whether you can walk, it depends on the subsequent variable power test.
The engine flame begins to look increasingly blue as the input fuel flow changes.
The original tail flame was still a little yellowish-red, but as the temperature of the flame got higher and higher, the color became more pure blue.
Eventually, the flame turns as blue as the deep sea, which is also a symbol of the engine reaching full power.
"Engine power conversion test completed."
In fact, at this point, if it is a normal one-time use engine, the test has been completed.
However, Zhang Xingyang’s ideas and requirements are indeed one step ahead of others. He wants to apply this engine to low-cost recyclable rockets in the future.
In this way, it is necessary to continue to test the engine and its operating status when it starts and stops multiple times.
After all, if you want to recycle the rocket, the rocket engine must have the ability to ignite multiple times, so that when the first and second stages are separated, the first stage of the rocket can be re-ignited and flown to the recycling site.
"Multi-fire test begins!"
Zhang Xingyang gave an order, and the engine, which was originally roaring like a dragon, completely quieted down in a very short period of time, but no one ignored its power.
It is like a powerful dragon lurking in a deep pool, waiting to roar at any time.
A few seconds later, the engine tail nozzle lit up again, and within a very short time, it turned dark blue.
"Second ignition successful!"
"Three successful ignitions!"
...
"The sixth ignition was successful!"
With up to five repeated ignitions, the engine can be used as the core machine of a recyclable rocket.
"Xingyang, we succeeded!"
There were cheering crowds everywhere in the measurement and control center. Geng Bo hugged Zhang Xingyang and shouted excitedly.
Yes, we succeeded.
But this is just the first step in our future exploration of the stars.
