Spark

Regarding Chang'e-5's "mining plan", Chen Nian actually didn't think too much about it.

His request is simple, that is, after the first moon landing, enough helium-3 element to complete the fusion miniaturization experiment should be retrieved.

This is not an easy task. You must know that there are at most 10 to 20 helium 3 atoms per cubic meter of lunar soil.

To reach the fusion standard is actually not as easy as ordinary people imagine.

——

But here again, past life experience comes into play.

Because Chen Nian knew that the helium 3 on the moon was not evenly distributed.

In fact, in the lunar soil samples retrieved by Chang'e-5 in the last generation, we once found a special ilmenite enriched in helium-3 elements, called "helium-3 foam".

The extraction of helium 3 from the foam is extremely simple with the help of mechanical pulverization.

And this kind of ilmenite reserves on the surface of the moon alone has reached millions of tons, and the corresponding reserves of helium 3 have reached an astonishing 260,000 tons.

100 tons of helium 3 power generation is enough for all human beings to use for one year. This 260,000 tons is enough for humans to build large-scale outposts on the moon.

At that time, with the maturity of the "lunar industrial system", the difficulty of transporting helium-3 raw materials will drop sharply, thereby further accelerating the progress of the human energy revolution.

However, the most urgent task now is to find a way to make Chang'e-5 bigger and bigger.

Otherwise, it may not be able to accommodate so many devices.

This point, leave it to Li Bingzhong's team.

It's time for their TBCC project to evolve to the next stage.

At the same time, in Chang'an, in Li Bingzhong's office.

".Currently, the progress of the Long March 9 project is relatively smooth. After confirming the use of new rocket engines, it is estimated that the carrying capacity of LEO can reach 190 tons, and the carrying capacity of GTO is about 22 tons. If the earth-moon project is modified, the Long March The TLI carrying capacity of Type 9B can reach 80 tons."

"Compared to the 118-ton LEO and 43-ton TLI of Apollo 11, our efficiency is higher."

"Of course, this is mainly due to the blessing of TBCC technology, but objectively speaking, our engine has not yet fully utilized the potential of the new fuel."

"The thrust provided by the currently used kerosene-liquid oxygen scheme is far from the effect of the metal hydrogen-total nitrogen anion salt scheme in the experiment. In terms of comprehensive carrying capacity, there is at least three to four times the gap. "

"That is to say, if we can fully replace the new fuel engine, we can even use one rocket to do three rockets."

"This prospect is very tempting. But why is the superior not optimistic about it?"

Luo Wen said doubtfully while looking at the several proposals that were sent back in front of him.

Li Bingzhong on the opposite side shook his head and replied:

"What you see now is only the advantages, not the disadvantages."

"According to the current design scheme, metal hydrogen fuel can only take the route of solid-state scheme, and the solid-state scheme has natural shortcomings."

"We don't consider the specific impulse problem because there is new fuel, but how to solve the problem of thrust regulation? How to solve the problem of repeated ignition? How to solve the problem of recycling and loading?"

"The solid-state rocket is just a big gun battle. It will be gone after it is released. It is suitable to be used as a propulsion scheme for intercontinental missiles, but the problem is that what we are doing is a space vehicle."

"It's not a one-shot deal. If you send something to the moon, you always have to fly back. How to stably ignite a solid-state rocket is also a big problem."

"We have great advantages now. Instead of pursuing breakthroughs, it is better to seek stability and do liquid solutions first."

"After all, the current carrying capacity of the Long March 9 is actually quite sufficient."

Hearing this, Luo Wen couldn't help sighing.

"But no matter what, I always feel a little regretful—what if we can solve the problem of recycling and filling? Then other problems are actually not a problem at all."

"I didn't say no to it. Isn't the Kuaizhou project and the Long March 11 project a solid-state solution? Recently, there is a hyperbolic project of military-civilian integration, and the direction is still aimed at the solid-state go-around."

"However, the hyperbola seems to use a three-solid-one-liquid solution, which is still far from the ideal solution in your mind."

"The gap is too big, the low-end version is not counted, it can only be regarded as the castrated version."

Speaking of this, Luo Wen reluctantly closed the report in his hand, as if he had accepted the "imperfect plan" in his heart.

But only a few seconds later, he suddenly asked again:

"Say, should we try harder?"

"Now the superior is not willing to take the metal hydrogen route for the time being, simply because of a cost-effective problem."

"But no matter what, this step always has to be taken."

"Just like doing business requires trial and error, we also have to trial and error in research and development."

"The result of losing now and losing later is the same."

"If we can finish the muddy water now, isn't it also a kind of resource saving for the future?"

Hearing his words, Li Bingzhong couldn't help being taken aback.

I have to say, this idea is quite strange.

But the problem is that when communicating with your superiors, you can't just take an "idea" in a daze, and you have to come up with a feasible plan.

At the same time, this plan must also include a foreseeable long-term benefit, which must be greater than the benefit of continuing to use the kerosene-liquid oxygen solution.

Judging from the current situation, these two conditions are really not so easy to achieve.

But why not try?

Anyway, after the end of the TBCC project, the project team has sufficient funds, and can allocate part of it to try some new directions.

Like Rowan said, trial and error.

Thinking of this, Li Bingzhong resolutely said:

"It's not impossible, we can do it."

"However, even if you want to do it, you must have a charter, and you can't just jump on it."

"My suggestion is that we choose a relatively small direction, first achieve technological breakthroughs, and show the results to the superiors."

"If you can pass, then continue down."

"In this way, both our project team and our superiors will face less pressure."

"As for which direction to choose."

Li Bingzhong frowned.

In fact, the technical difficulties faced by metal hydrogen fuel engines are much more than those faced by kerosene-liquid oxygen engines, such as high strength, high toughness, high temperature resistant shell technology, high charge-to-weight ratio combustion Ratio technology, solid-state multi-stage ignition technology, thrust control technology.

Basically each one, requires a lot of time and effort to experiment and test.

Moreover, the difficulty of each is not low, whichever one you choose, you can't do it once and for all.

"How about we try the solid-liquid conversion technology?"

Rowan interjected.

"This is the core problem we are facing now. The high-temperature-resistant material problem can be solved by the Material Research Institute. The nozzle and combustion chamber technology have been accumulated before. The field of multi-stage ignition and thrust control is biased towards solid fuel. , if the solid-liquid conversion can be realized, these two problems will not need to be considered.”

"If this can be done, the obstacles to the metal hydrogen fuel engine will be basically removed."

Li Bingzhong nodded slowly, and said thoughtfully:

"That's right, this direction is very thoughtful-metal hydrogen fuel itself actually has the natural advantage of solid-liquid conversion."

He patted the table decisively, and said:

"Then go in this direction! You inform and pull a project team out."

"As long as we can get this right, our path will be much easier in the future."

"22 tons of GTO? Let's make a 220 tons!"

On the other side of the sea, NASA headquarters.

Today, Director Nelson's office ushered in a not too unfamiliar, but absolutely uncommon guest, and he is the founder of SPACEX, Elon Musk.

He sat carelessly across from Nelson, seemingly not interested in any topic that the powerful man in front of him said, just drinking coffee in silence, his eyes wandering about the layout of the office, and he didn't know what was going on in his mind something.

Nelson was also helpless with his performance. After talking about the topic of financial support for the next quarter, he finally interrupted the topic unbearably, looked squarely at Musk and said:

"Aron, I want you to show me some basic respect."

"You know, at least half of the credit for getting your company to this point should go to NASA."

"If it weren't for our capital injection during the critical period, SPACEX should have fallen in 2008."

"You can even sit here now, and it can even be said to be a kindness of the federal government."

"Even if you think the topic I'm talking about is boring—although I think so too, at least you should pretend to be serious!"

Hearing his words, Musk finally recovered.

He spread his hands and replied innocently:

"Nelson, you know, I have always regarded you as my closest partner and one of the best friends in my life."

"My attitude is not to you, but to the entire NASA and Congress."

"What's so good about this kind of boring report? Anyway, we already know that the budget for the next quarter will be greatly reduced, and all practitioners, including our company, will enter a cold winter."

"In this case, do you still expect me to have a good face?"

"I'm not in the mood to listen to your grand plans, and I'm not in the mood to 'hide my strengths and bide my time' with you—is that what the word says?"

"Now all I can think about is how to sell a few more electric vehicles, catch up with the new energy outlets made by Huaxia, and maintain the basic operation of SpaceX."

"Let me just say it, unless you can convince Congress to invest more in me, otherwise, there is no need for us to meet at all."

"You think I don't want to?"

Nelson's tone became a little rushed. In fact, he was more worried about SpaceX's business conditions than Musk.

You know, betting on this commercial company had been his idea from the start, and it had worked out pretty well.

Significant progress has been made in heavy-duty liquid rocket technology, and the development of rocket recovery technology is also going well. A bright future is in sight, but at this juncture, funding is cut off.

Originally ordinary tests have become a luxury, not to mention the further development of heavy rockets, even the rocket recovery test that has progressed to the launch stage was forced to stop.

If it continues to develop in this direction, not only will the prospects of SpaceX be worrying, but it is obviously impossible to keep its position in NASA.

Therefore, he is eager to find an opportunity to reverse the extremely difficult situation.

And this is exactly the purpose of his meeting with Musk today.

Thinking of this, he exhaled heavily, then regained his emotions, and continued to speak:

"Aron, it's not like we don't have a chance."

"What I talked to you before was all routine."

"But now, what I'm going to tell you will definitely be the most important decision you'll ever make in your life."

"Is it more important than me buying Tesla?"

Musk said slightly jokingly.

Although he never admitted in public that "Tesla was not created by him", he did not shy away from this in front of his friends.

"It's much more important than that."

Nelson deliberately paused for a moment, and after confirming that Musk's curiosity had been attracted, he continued:

"Because, I need you to sell Tesla."

"Sell Tesla? What are you kidding me?!"

Musk's expression changed suddenly, and he suddenly got up and said.

"calm down."

Nelson quickly comforted:

"It's not a mandatory requirement — and certainly not related to the recent wave of mergers and acquisitions."

"I'm just offering you a choice, and a potential possibility."

"What if I said, selling your Tesla will get you to the moon?"

As soon as the words came out, Musk's movements stopped instantly.

He is a smart man, so naturally he understood the meaning of Nelson's words immediately.

"Return to the moon project? Can you give it to me?"

Nelson nodded and replied:

"Funding is difficult and we are looking for an outsourcing partner."

"There are many competing companies, but I don't trust them all."

"If you can provide enough capital, enough cash flow, I think SpaceX will be the best choice."

the best choice

Musk silently repeated these words in his heart.

Yes, of course SpaceX would be the best option.

There are sufficient technical reserves and long-term cooperation experience. More importantly, SpaceX's research direction is very consistent with NASA's public return to the moon plan.

Low cost, large load, reusable

In fact, before Nelson opened his mouth, he had considered this project, but the problem was that the project was too large and the cost was too high, and he simply couldn't afford that much money.

Now, however, Nelson is offering a more aggressive strategy.

Sell ​​Tesla, all in the moon.

is it worth it

At this time, Nelson was still persuasive.

"When you think about it, times have changed."

"The biggest growth point in the future cannot be electric vehicles - Chinese people have superconducting technology, they will do it better and faster than you, and the cost will be lower. You can only die slowly in the competition with them."

"In this case, why don't you change your direction for yourself?"

"Go to space, there is still an unexplored blue ocean."

"As long as the return to the moon program is successful, everything you want to do in the future will not be difficult."

"Starlink, Mars exploration, deep space exploration. Don't you really want to try it?"

"I think."

Musk replied without hesitation.

"But the problem is, it's just too risky."

"Aren't you less adventurous in your life?"

Nelson's tone was extremely seductive. At this moment, he was like a mermaid sitting on a rock to lure the crew into the water.

Musk knows this too, but has to say...he's really willing to take the risk.

"Are you sure I can get the return to the moon program?"

"One hundred percent."

Nelson said with certainty.

"good!"

Musk held out his hand.

Then, the two held hands tightly.

A gleam of glee flashed in Nelson's eyes.

Regardless of whether Musk can succeed or not, at least he will not fail before retiring