"Now that the configuration of the rocket has been determined, the current research and development difficulty lies in the rocket's propulsion system."
Because Mr. Chen, as a senior citizen in the aerospace system, is familiar with all aspects related to aerospace.
Zhang Xingyang directly stated the difficulties encountered in the current research and development process:
"Because the technology used this time is different from the past, there is no reference object, so we can only conduct experiments bit by bit ourselves."
"A lot of problems have arisen. I asked you to help me borrow a supercomputer this time in order to solve the problems here as soon as possible."
Chen Zhongyan understood as soon as he heard that the rocket developed by the Rocket Research Institute this time definitely did not adopt a traditional rocket design scheme, but he just didn't know what scheme they used.
However, Chen Zhongyan was also very measured, so he didn't ask too much about what Zhang Xingyang didn't say.
"Isn't there anyone in foreign countries who can be used as a reference?"
Because domestic scientific research capabilities were not particularly developed at this time, in many aspects it was a matter of trying to cross the river by feeling the wooly bear and the eagle sauce.
Of course, later on, there was a saying that the rabbit crossed the river by touching the eagle sauce, and then touched the eagle sauce until it was bald.
"Yes, there is, but the technical reference value is not very great."
Zhang Xingyang recalled the database in his mind and said:
“The legacy left by the furry bears does contain related technologies in this area.
They have used a similar propulsion system on the N-1 rocket that is still at the Baikonur Space Center. The Energia, which is also at the Baikonur Space Center, has also used less mature rocket recovery technology. "
The N-1 rocket is a high-thrust rocket specially developed by Mao Xiong to send astronauts to the moon during the space race with Yingjiang.
The first stage of the N-1 rocket uses 30 NK-15 engines, which can provide more than 4,600 tons of thrust.
The 30 engines also adopt a central layout plan, with 8 engines arranged in the inner ring and 24 engines arranged in a circle on the outer ring.
There are many references to the rockets currently developed by the Rocket Research Institute.
As for the Energia rocket, it originally existed as a launch vehicle for the Buran space shuttle.
It can be regarded as one of the first rockets to actually use recyclable and reusable technology, but it was stalled due to the break in research and development funds caused by the disintegration of the Mao Xiong.
The results of these former woolly bear researchers who had put in countless efforts lost their value as the alliance that had mixed reputations disintegrated.
We can only remember the hustle and bustle of the past under the setting sun at Baikonur Space Center day after day.
Until an accident collapsed the factory where the rocket was stored, burying its body in the scenery of the past.
As a senior astronaut, Chen Zhongyan is naturally not unfamiliar with these rockets that were once flamboyant, but he is not as clear about the technical aspects as Zhang Xingyang.
"Then have you considered referring to their system?"
Mr. Chen asked. At this time, the relationship between the country and these former furry bear franchise countries was not bad. If they could afford a sufficient price, they could even sell some top-secret things.
"Although their technology has certain reference value."
"But, Mr. Chen, the reference value is not very great."
It's not that Zhang Xingyang is arrogant and looks down on Mao Xiong's previous skills.
In fact, although these rockets have been built, they have many problems and are not particularly mature solutions.
For example, after the N-1 rocket was designed, produced, and manufactured, all four test launches were unsuccessful.
This is also an important reason why the N-1 rocket that produced a total of ten rounds was not launched for subsequent launches. The design and manufacturing process of the rocket was not particularly perfect, and almost all of the products produced were defective products.
"The N-1 rocket is almost worthless, it is just an industrial defective product!"
After hearing this, Mr. Chen raised his eyebrows and said jokingly:
"They can have some good intentions and call it 'the most powerful rocket in the world'. Is it really as bad as you say?!"
This title is indeed a bit bluffing, but Zhang Xingyang twitched the corner of his mouth and was speechless:
"With a rocket that has no real launch capability, no matter how powerful the thrust is, what's the use?!"
"However, if the Energy and the Buran aircraft can be obtained, they can help us avoid a lot of detours."
"Huo!"
"You really dare to think that when Mao Xiong built the Energy No. 10 years ago, it cost nearly 20 billion pounds."
"Even if they don't feel bad about selling their cubs now, it's not something they can win with just a small amount!"
The cost of building the Energy was indeed so high that it was staggering. Except for the era when all nations were engaged in space competition, it would never be possible to see such a big deal again.
In future space missions, more consideration will be given to the economics of rockets.
Of course, Zhang Xingyang just sighed, after all, this thing can be regarded as a testimony of an era.
If there is no way to get it back at this time, it will be buried in the factory of the Baikonur Space Center in 2002.
"What I mean to say is that the space shuttle route is actually not as economical as the recyclable rocket route. Don't look at the fact that both the former Mao Xiong and the current Eagle Sauce are vigorously promoting the development of the space shuttle."
"But they are still far away from a truly cheap and cost-effective space shuttle. Now every time the Eagle Space Shuttle flies back, it needs to be overhauled. The calculated cost will even be higher than the price of a disposable rocket."
As one of the top figures in the domestic aerospace system, Mr. Chen can speak in many aspects, especially when deciding the route.
Therefore, in order for Mr. Chen to support him in these aspects in the future, Zhang Xingyang spared no effort to explain the problems here to him.
“And in terms of safety issues, the space shuttle is not much safer than the reusable rocket.
The entire system of the space shuttle is very complex, and its anti-redundancy performance is actually very weak. It is not as simple as a recyclable rocket. "
"You should also know that the Challenger accident ten years ago resulted in seven deaths."
Chen Zhongyan naturally understood Zhang Xingyang's purpose in telling him these things, but he also expressed his thoughts relatively clearly:
"Currently, the country has not yet made a decision on manned spaceflight, and now is not the time to discuss this."
"The country must at least solve the technical problems of manned spaceflight before considering these two technical routes."
In terms of manned spaceflight, there are still a lot of shortcomings in the country, which need to be made up in many aspects.
Zhang Xingyang naturally knows this. Although he also has some ideas about manned spaceflight, now is obviously not the time to talk about it.
Being able to obtain super computing usage time this time is considered a success.
It’s better to work hard to do your own domestic work!
