Chapter 754 Dragon Spaceship
Cargo spaceships are much less difficult to develop.
A manned spacecraft needs to provide an environment for human habitation inside the spacecraft. It needs to have a fully sealed structure, air purification equipment, water purification equipment, various emergency control systems, and even people to eat, sleep and use the toilet. Places, anything related to people, are very complicated.
In contrast, a cargo spacecraft only transports cargo. Even if there is an air leak, it will not affect flight safety. When returning home, even if it is not controlled properly and falls down, the astronauts will not be sacrificed.
So, it will be easier to study this first.
Of course, this is not in line with the laws of aerospace development, because countries in the world that can develop manned spaceflight first develop manned spacecraft, and then modify the cargo spacecraft based on the manned spacecraft, and solve the problem of people first. problems, there will be a need to transport goods.
Starship Company went in the opposite direction, and it also had its own difficulties. It was too difficult to develop at all.
“Okay, let’s introduce your design to me.” Qin Tao said.
He is a hands-off boss, leaving things to his subordinates and ignoring them. He will only listen to the progress of these things when he is interested.
"Yes, our spacecraft has a two-stage structure." Rubio introduced: "The front section is in the shape of a pointed cone. This is the pressurized cabin and the return cabin. All personnel live in it, in the front row, or It is said that there are four seats in the upper row, and three seats can be arranged below, and it can carry up to seven astronauts. The rocket engine is also arranged behind the pressurized cabin."
At present, traditional spacecraft, whether it is Lao Maozi's Soyuz or the domestic Shenzhou, use a three-stage design. The upper part is the orbital module, the middle is the return module, and the lower part is the propulsion and service module. This maximizes the The main consideration is to reduce the weight of the return capsule and bring back the minimum weight.
However, the design idea of the spacecraft in front of us is exactly the opposite.
There is no longer an orbital module, only the return module and the service module. However, many of the equipment in the service module have also been installed in the return module, including the rocket engine!
What are the benefits of doing this?
It does not need an escape tower. If something goes wrong, the rocket engine that comes with the return capsule can ignite and launch the entire return capsule to avoid the rocket explosion from affecting itself. However, this is definitely not its real purpose.
The ultimate goal is to save money!
This kind of return capsule is not disposable. After re-entering the atmosphere, it can be repaired and re-launched to save costs. This is what private space companies must do.
Even if it results in excessive landing weight, it is still worth it.
A large amount of equipment is in the return capsule. The equipment in the cylindrical service module below is very small, and some equipment that cannot be recycled will be placed on it, such as solar panels and so on.
If we make a comparison, other spaceships are like trailers, with all the belongings on the RV, but people stay on the tractor in front, but the spaceship in front of us is like a self-propelled RV. Most of the belongings must be carried with the driver, but behind the RV, a small trailer is towed with a motorcycle or something on it.
"We know that such a design will greatly increase the weight of the return capsule, but we are not afraid, because we are not using an ordinary parachute landing method, we are using a vertical landing. We believe that this new design will definitely It will lead the trend of the entire space shuttle!" Speaking of this, Rubio became excited.
At present, there are two main types of spacecraft landings.
The landing of a spaceship relies on a parachute. When the spacecraft comes back from outer space, it first opens a small parachute, then props up a main parachute, and finally staggers down. This method has a long history and simple technology, but , we don’t know where it will land, so we need to search a large area in the landing site. If we are not lucky, the astronauts may have to wait inside for several hours before someone comes to respond.
The other is to glide and land on the runway. This is the main landing method of the space shuttle. When the space shuttle returns, it flies to the runway in front of the route. This landing is very accurate. However, the technical requirements are too high. Currently, only The American space shuttle can do it, but Lao Maozi's space shuttle only flew once or twice, and then ate dust in the warehouse.
In addition to these two, there are still a few other landing methods, such as relying on the reaction force of the rocket engine to land vertically to a certain place.
This is actually not the first initiative of the Starship Company. During the Apollo project for the moon landing, this was how the lunar module landed on the moon's surface. However, the moon's gravity is only one-sixth of the earth's. Now it is necessary to do this It is not easy to transplant vertical landing technology to Starship Company's spacecraft.
However, Starship Company has a huge advantage, which makes it easy to transplant their technology.
Starship Company has vertical landing technology! In other words, in order to land on Mars, they must study vertical landing technology!
How to land on Mars is a big problem. The current solution that Starship Company can come up with is to land vertically. Only in this way can subsequent launches be facilitated. Now, Starship Company is already studying these technologies, even if they are not used for landing on Mars, they can be used in existing On the rocket, it is also the only way to reuse the rocket.
"We designed eight powerful rockets outside the cone of the spacecraft, which are similar to the rockets on the escape tower, but there are more. These rockets can be used as escape towers or as deceleration devices. More It will provide the thrust for landing in the final stage, and we believe that landing in this way will become the mainstream in the future."
A large amount of extra payloads have been concentrated on the spacecraft, which is of course not simple. At this time, Rubio is very excited when talking about the technology of this spacecraft. This is why even though he often faces the irritable Max, he still The reason why he can continue to stay is that he can have many things he likes to do here.
At NASA, there are too many restrictions! All kinds of research and development require approval, go to Congress, and may be shot. Since the explosion of Challenger, NASA has become even more cautious, for fear of any accidents, and has lost its enterprising spirit, similar to this advanced spacecraft design. , it is impossible to get approval from NASA. Even after the space shuttle, NASA has no other manned space projects. If this continues, it will not take many years for NASA to be reduced to a second-rate space agency.
Now, when this brand new project is introduced, Rubio is very excited. The design of the entire spacecraft is brand new. Many technologies can be transplanted to future Mars spacecraft, and the technologies they are researching can be used. !
In fact, this method of landing has great uncertainty. Therefore, in the time and space where Qin Tao came, this design was eventually canceled and the spacecraft became a parachute landing method because this method was not considered. Therefore, the only way to land is at sea. After all, there is no need for the last meter of buffering and other equipment. These equipment can be recovered at sea.
In 2017, Max handed this proud design plan to NASA. The experts opened their eyes wide and shook their heads like a rattle, NO! No! They resolutely resisted. Even if tests such as propulsion levitation and vertical landing were successful, they failed to eliminate the doubts of NASA's decision-makers.
Now, Qin Tao will not point it out. After all, it is because NASA is not bold enough and he is not afraid anymore. The Starship Company can achieve its current achievements because of this bold spirit. If he had been conservative, the team would probably Just dispersed.
"In addition to the outside, we also have a brand-new design inside the spacecraft. The previous spacecraft used a large number of buttons to operate, which were very complicated and easy to touch accidentally. On our spacecraft, we use a brand-new cockpit The design retains only a few physical buttons, and the rest are replaced by computer displays.”
Although in the civilian field, LCD screens have not yet become popular, and huge cathode ray tube displays are still the mainstream, here at Mingzhou Group, advanced touch displays are already in use. For example, the J-31A uses touch screens as For the main display, Starship Company can of course also get related products.
The touch operation is very simple and has good backup performance. If a physical button is broken, it cannot be used without repair. However, the touch screen can be switched to another screen for use.
The astronaut takes off and lies on the seat. What he sees in front of him is a large display. It is sci-fi enough when he thinks about it. However, this design still has many problems. Although the interface is simple, the program The design is complicated, that is to say, the system must be more intelligent and must consider more situations and how to deal with various accidents, so as to avoid operators having to rummage through the interface once a problem occurs. Waste valuable time.
However, Starship Company is taking a high-end technological route. Such a spaceship is very sci-fi, and of course it can attract attention.
“However, if we were showing a cargo spacecraft, we wouldn’t have these displays.” When he said this, Rubio felt a little regretful.
"It doesn't matter. Although we can only show the actual cargo spacecraft, we can show the design drawings of the manned spacecraft, and we can also display them in an animation." Qin Tao said, "In addition to the internal structural diagram of the manned spacecraft, In addition, we can also display other equipment, such as astronauts’ spacesuits and other equipment, which shows that we are taking one step at a time and truly engaging in aerospace.”
There are a lot of things to show around.
Space suits and the like can still attract attention. After all, in this era, only three countries can manufacture space suits. Private companies have not yet set foot in this field. Starship Company is taking a road that no one else has taken. .
“Yes, we need to display more product peripherals, and we can even make some of them into souvenirs.” Max said: “This way we can make more profits.”
In Max's eyes, only profit is the most important. If you are not a rich man, you don't know how expensive firewood and rice are.
“Mr. Qin, our spacecraft hasn’t been named yet.” Max said, “Do you have any good name?”
name? Qin Tao blurted out: "How about calling it Dragon spacecraft?"
In the East, the dragon is a totem worship and the spiritual sustenance of the Chinese nation. Now, naming this spacecraft after a dragon certainly has a deep meaning. I hope it can soar like a dragon!
“That’s right, it’s called Dragon Spaceship!” Max was very satisfied with the name Qin Tao proposed.
The matter of the spaceship was decided. Next, Qin Tao checked around the company. There were many research and development projects in the company. Even if the Starlink project was temporarily terminated, they still had a lot to do.
The most important thing for Max is, of course, the development of engines.
The NK-33 engine used by Lao Maozi is only temporary. If you want to land on Mars, you will eventually have to use your own engine. After all, the fuel used is different.
“Right now, our funds are still insufficient, so the liquid oxygen methane engine project can only be pre-research.” Max took Qin Tao to the engine research and development department of Starship Company and introduced it to him.
Most of the people working here are foreigners, but unlike other departments, the foreigners here are mainly old men.
“Mr. Qin, are you here?” A person inside greeted Qin Tao. This person was Qin Tao’s old acquaintance, Victor Checo!
He is the head of the Joint Labor and Scientific Research Production Organization and the chief engineer of the Kuznetsov Design Bureau. His main task here is to collaborate on engine development!
Starship Company does not have comprehensive engine research and development capabilities, and Lao Maozi's Kuznetsov Design Bureau is a leader in this aspect. However, in Lao Maozi's country, they are not taken seriously and cannot compete with Rulika- Saturn's scientific research and production complex competed, and the engines they produced were also unpopular.
When they were about to go bankrupt, Qin Tao rescued them and bought all the NK-33 engines they had in stock. Later, he invited them to join in the research and development, but one of the conditions was that they had to be developed in the East.
As a result, many people from the Kuznetsov Design Bureau came over. Looking at them like this, they probably won’t be able to leave in the future.
“Well, let me see your progress.”
"Recently, we have been studying the work of improving the vacuum specific impulse of the NK-33 engine. Now, this work has come to an end. In the future, this engine can be used on the second-stage rocket of the Starship MK1." Victor Checo said: "However, the development of liquid oxygen methane engines has just begun. We have encountered many problems in the development, especially the need for reuse, which we have never done before."
At present, domestic rockets still use dimethylhydrazine and nitric acid fuels. Lao Maozi mainly uses liquid oxygen and kerosene. The United States mainly uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen engines, all taking different routes. And Max wants to land on Mars. The only way is to take the route of liquid oxygen and methane. After all, fuel needs to be produced from the atmosphere of Mars. If it is transported there, the person will definitely not be able to come back.
There is no way to use NK-33 now. After all, you need to make money first, but after making money, you will definitely have to develop a new engine.
Qin Tao nodded: "This job is difficult, but don't worry. I believe that we will be able to complete the research and development of this engine. By then, our Starship Company will be able to lead the entire aerospace trend. Our liquid oxygen methane engine is Engines that are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, highly reliable, high-performance, low-cost, easy to operate, and reusable represent the development direction of aerospace main power technology. We can still become the leader in aerospace power in the future."
Qin Tao was really not a fool. Later, the development routes of various countries changed, and even domestic liquid oxygen methane engines began to be developed. Although Max has many shortcomings, when choosing a technical route, he really That's right.
At this time, after hearing Qin Tao's words, Victor Checo nodded: "Yes, we will become the leader in aerospace power in the future!"
He believed that it was right for him to bring the design bureau here, and even for the entire joint labor and scientific research production body to come to the east. Qin was always a good person and very loyal.
Sure enough, what Qin Tao said next moved him even more.
"By the way, the Zhuhai Air Show is about to start. Do you, the Labor and Scientific Research Joint Production Organization, want to participate together? If you don't plan to rent a booth, you can put it on our Mingzhou Group's booth." Qin Tao thought of something, continued.
Victor Checo was almost moved to tears. Mr. Qin was so kind. He actually gave them the venue without charging any money. They really can't afford to rent a booth now, but if there is no exhibition, they will not be able to. There is a sense of presence.
However, if there is an exhibition, what exhibits do they have? I have been resting on my laurels all these years!
“Just at our Starship Company’s booth.” Max nodded: “We will jointly display the jointly developed NK-33 modified engine and the model of the new liquid oxygen methane engine.”
Anyway, these engines are jointly developed. To be precise, Starship Company pays, Kuznetsov Design Bureau hires people, and shares the results. This method is still feasible. After all, Max cannot get too many rocket engine experts. , the elites in this field are with Da Mao.
Now, leave part of the booth for them, or the booth that originally belonged to Starship Company, and let everyone jointly exhibit together, and the momentum of both parties will grow.
“Okay.” Victor Ceco nodded.
Before leaving, Qin Tao gave an impromptu and impassioned speech.
"You are all experts in the aerospace field. Our Starship Company provides you with the most suitable conditions in the hope that you can use your strengths. The aerospace industry requires imagination, and you are just such a group of the most imaginative people. ! I believe that you will be able to achieve our ultimate goal of landing on Mars!"
These are people with ideals. As long as their wages are in place and some deception is provided, it is enough for them to work here with peace of mind.
After coming out, Zhao Ling, who had been silent for a long time, sighed with emotion: "Brother Tao, I really didn't expect that you could push the Starship Company to this point. In the past, I always thought that landing on Mars was a dream, but now, I saw the ladder to my dreams.”
Now we are no longer just talking about it, but we are getting closer to the goal step by step. It is not easy.
"There is still a long way to go, but no matter what, we are making steady progress step by step." Qin Tao said: "Whether we can land on Mars is not important. The development of these technologies can make us a space power. This is enough." ”
Qin Tao raised his head and looked at the sky, as if he was a young man. At this moment, the roar of the engine came. He raised his head and saw a beautiful advanced fighter plane with fused wings flying overhead. However, the dark gray paint almost blends in with the sky.
J-15?
No, there are no canards!
At this time, the plane was just turning in the sky, and you could see the side. The huge two-seat canopy made the nose of the plane appear to be tilted even more downward. Just by looking at it, you can know what kind of plane it is.
“J-16? Hainan Airlines has equipped J-16?” Qin Tao said in surprise: “And, is it also deployed in Qiongzhou?”
In the past, Qiongzhou mainly deployed J-82 fighters. When Qin Tao came to the naval aviation base here, he met Wang Wei and his group. Now those pilots have grown up, and most of them have become carrier-based aircraft pilots.
The fighter planes here in Qiongzhou are also constantly being updated. For example, the JH-7, also known as the Flying Leopard fighter-bomber, can set off from Qiongzhou, circle around the southern seas and come back, although there are already some in the southern seas. Naval aviation base, but Qiongzhou base is still very important.
Ordinarily, the Flying Leopards are enough, but Qin Tao did not expect that the naval aviation actually had J-16s and deployed them here!
In this air show, the J-16 will also be the protagonist, right?
In the past, aircraft were mainly used for air combat, mainly single-seaters, and two-seaters were generally training aircraft. However, the J-16 has always only had a two-seat version, because like the Flying Leopard, it is a fighter-bomber!
When needed, it can carry eight or nine tons of ammunition and take off, which is almost equivalent to the bomb load of the H-6! It is very easy to carry out bombing missions, and after throwing away the bombs, it can transform into a fighter jet.
The Flying Leopard is mostly for self-defense. The physique of its second-generation aircraft limits its maneuverability, but it is different for an aircraft of the J-16 level. It can fight with any third-generation aircraft in the world!
Therefore, in the later period, orders for the J-11 gradually decreased, and the equipment sequence of the air force and naval aviation included more and more J-16s.
This Zhuhai Air Show will definitely be more sensational than the last one. The motherland’s aerospace industry is developing rapidly!
(End of this chapter)