The Science Fiction World of Xueba

Pang Xuelin didn't care about Liu Xuesong's indifference.

The most important reason why he went to observe the first launch mission of the 921 rocket this time is that the 921 rocket is equipped with a 4:1 scale verification machine of the aerospace aircraft used by the future electromagnetic space launch system.

Although it is a 10:1 scale verification machine, in fact, this aerospace plane has complete electronic equipment, power system and space life support system, with a total mass of 40 tons. Ten tons of fuel, this miniature aerospace plane can be used to perform various tasks in outer space.

As for the 921 rocket, it is the Chinese version of the Falcon Heavy.

The rocket adopts a three-and-a-half-stage CBC configuration. The take-off stage is composed of 21 YF-100K pump-back swing liquid oxygen kerosene engines with a core-stage rocket and two boosters, which can generate 2,700 tons of thrust. The maximum take-off weight of the rocket is about 2,200 The second stage of the core is two YF-100K high-altitude liquid oxygen kerosene engines, and the third stage of the core is three YF-75D hydrogen-oxygen engines. The orbital speed can reach 10.9 km/s (about 32 Mach).

This is a national heavy weapon born for manned landing on the moon. Due to the manned nature of this type of rocket and the manned spaceflight engineering office proposed and promoted it, it is crowned with the manned spaceflight engineering code 921. Named "921 Rocket".

Although with the establishment of the Electromagnetic Ejection Space Launch System project, the space system discontinued the Long March 9 project, but the 921 rocket has been retained.

As long as the electromagnetic catapult space launch system succeeds, this rocket is likely to become the swan song of China's chemical-powered rockets.

"Professor Pang, Lao Liu is a bit stubborn, but he has no bad intentions, so don't mind."

Pang Xuelin and Tao Yongchang were in the same car. As soon as they got into the car, Tao Yongchang said hastily.

When welcoming Pang Xuelin just now, Liu Xuesong's performance was not enthusiastic, and even faintly resisted.

Although Liu Xuesong is a master in the field of launch vehicles, Pang Xuelin is an iconic figure in China's current academic circles. Tao Yongchang naturally does not want Pang Xuelin to have a bad impression of Liu Xuesong.

Pang Xuelin smiled and said: "General Tao, don't worry, it's normal for Academician Liu to have opinions on me. After all, the electromagnetic ejection space launch system has robbed the carrier rocket's job. It's hard to do in the middle."

"That's good."

Tao Yongchang breathed a sigh of relief.

Haikou is only more than 60 kilometers away from Wenchang.

It's less than an hour's drive away.

When he arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, Pang Xuelin took a rest at the hotel where he was staying, and in the afternoon he visited the Wenchang Space Launch Center accompanied by Tao Yongchang.

Space launch is closely related to the latitude of the launch site. The closer the distance to the equator and the lower the latitude, the greater the linear velocity close to the equator and the centrifugal phenomenon caused by inertia can be used to launch satellites, so the energy consumption required is lower. , the faster the speed can be achieved using the same fuel.

The geographic latitudes of Jiuquan, Taiyuan and Xichang launch centers are 41°, 38° and 28° north latitude respectively. The geographical latitude of Wenchang is 19°, which is lower than that of the other three launch sites.

Hainan Island is the region with the lowest latitude on land in China and the closest to the equator, so it has also become the best location for building a space launch site.

It is estimated that if the same rocket is launched in Wenchang, the carrying capacity can be increased by 7% to 15%. The launch of the same type of rocket in Wenchang can increase the payload of the launch vehicle by more than 300 kilograms, and the saved space fuel can also improve the spacecraft. The accuracy of orbiting can extend the service life of the spacecraft by 1 to 2 years.

As early as the 1970s, China planned to build a space launch site on Hainan Island. However, due to the complicated international situation faced by China and the consideration of national defense and security, China had to set up the space launch site in a more secretive and safe outback.

After entering the 21st century, the international situation has changed. In order to adapt to the sustainable development of my country's aerospace industry and meet the needs of the new generation of launch vehicles and new spacecraft launch missions, China officially started the construction of Wenchang Space Launch Center.

In 2014, the Wenchang Space Launch Center was officially completed and became the most advanced space launch center in China, mainly used to launch the Long March 5 series and Long March 7 series of launch vehicles.

The new-generation 921 rocket is also placed at the Wenchang Space Launch Center.

The reason for choosing here is simple.

Regardless of whether it is the 921 rocket or the Long March 5 series rocket, the diameter of the core stage has reached five meters.

In China's land transportation, the maximum width of goods passing through the tunnel is 3.35 meters.

So 3.35 meters has become the standard diameter of the core stage of the Long March 2, 3, and 4 launch vehicles.

It wasn't until the Wenchang Space Launch Center was built that the launch vehicle could reach Wenchang directly by sea, and China's launch vehicle broke through the 3.35-meter diameter limit.

Under the launch tower of the space center, Tao Yongchang is accompanying Pang Xuelin to visit the behemoth that will be launched tomorrow.

"This is the 921 rocket!"

Under the majestic launch tower, Pang Xuelin looked up at the super rocket with a height of 90 meters in front of him.

On the white body of the rocket, the words China Aerospace are particularly eye-catching.

The 921 rocket adopts a CBC configuration main core stage and two boosters with a diameter of five meters. The take-off thrust of the polished main core stage is 840 tons, and the total take-off thrust of the three CBC module configurations is 2520 tons.

The aerospace plane with a refueling mass of more than 50 tons is located on the top of the rocket, completely covered by the fairing.

"Professor Pang, if the test of this aerospace plane with a scaled ratio of 4:1 is successful, then we will officially start the research and development of the electromagnetic ejection version of the aerospace plane. Do you think we can really succeed?"

Pang Xuelin looked at the towering 921 rocket, smiled and said, "General Tao, don't worry, I'm here!"

Tao Yongchang and Pang Xuelin looked at each other for a while, then laughed and said, "Professor Pang, I believe you will not let us down."

After visiting the launch tower, Pang Xuelin went to meet the staff involved in the launch mission.

Most of these astronauts were under the age of thirty-five. When they saw Pang Xuelin, they all seemed to see a big star, and they surrounded Pang Xuelin tightly.

Compared with the top executives in the aerospace industry, they only have pure admiration for Pang Xuelin.

There were even people who asked Pang Xuelin for his autograph with small notebooks.

That night, Tao Yongchang also arranged a lively dinner to welcome Pang Xuelin. .

Because of the mission period, everyone at the banquet used drinks instead of alcohol.

Liu Xuesong just chatted with Pang Xuelin when they clinked glasses, most of the time they were relatively indifferent, but Pang Xuelin didn't care much, and just looked for other people to chat on his own.

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