In the maintenance workshop of Wenchang Aerospace Center.

Li Guoqing was already looking at the Changwu-D core level that had just been recovered in front of him.

Engineers and maintenance personnel quickly use a variety of equipment to inspect the condition of the core level, mainly to overhaul the shell structure, electronic components, engine combustion chamber, nozzles, fuel transfer pumps and pipelines.

The focus is on the fuel transfer pump, a series of inductors and control valves inside the fuel storage tank.

Because the engine combustion chamber and nozzle of the first stage of the long five-D core use very strong new materials, there is at least about 30%~40% performance redundancy for the withstand strength of high temperature and high pressure.

In space launch vehicles, the most problematic components are often electronic components and fuel transfer pumps.

This is the conclusion of big data analysis, whether it is the internal statistics of the China Space Agency, or the data released by NASA or the Lucia Space Agency, more than 60% of the accidents caused by the failure of electronic components in the space launch vehicle or space shuttle accidents.

"Chief Engineer Li, the three sets of electronic systems have been tested, and there is no problem for the time being." An engineer reported.

Li Guoqing, who did not take it lightly, instructed again: "After the other parts are tested and tested, key components such as electronic components will be tested again." ”

"No problem."

When Li Guoqing was busy overhauling the first level of the core.

In the command hall of the Wenchang Space Center, Chen Yao also watched the core second stage orbiting the blue star and gradually descending towards the atmosphere.

However, the staff in the command hall will focus on the third level of the core, and even if the second level of the core fails to recover, the loss is not large; But the core-3 and the four satellites carried on it are the ones that matter.

After all, the cost of a single satellite is 800 million, and four is 2.4 billion, and if something goes wrong, it will really outweigh the losses.

……

Reporters and space enthusiasts in the observation area are talking about it.

Karina and David also did not expect that the recovery method of the Chang-5-D launch vehicle would be like this.

"Isn't this the space shuttle," David complained.

Karina repeatedly watched the landing of the core level just now, and the more she looked at it, the more it looked like a space shuttle, but unlike the space shuttle in the United States, the long five-D did not pay attention to appearance, and looked a little dirty and ugly.

But as long as it is successfully recycled, who cares if it's ugly, it's still exquisite.

David next door is watching the live broadcast in his notebook, and as a foreign media, he is not qualified to enter the space center for interviews.

The only media with internal reporting qualifications are Xinhua News Agency, National News, and Pravability Journal, and the National News and Pravita Journal can be seen live on the Internet.

In the live broadcast screen, a reporter from National News is interviewing Chen Yao.

"Chief Designer Chen, may I ask how the core level of the Chang 5-D is being recycled this time?"

Chen Yao replied with a smile: "It is currently being overhauled, and the preliminary feedback is that the core level is in line with expectations. ”

The reporter continued to ask: "I heard that the core level of Chang 5-D is also a recycling design, is it the same way as the core level 1?"

Chen Yao nodded and replied, "Except for the two phases of orbital orbit and re-entry into the atmosphere, the other situations are much the same. ”

"When is the expected core 2 to return to the ground?"

"It's about 50 hours."

……

There was even a core secondary recovery, and David put away his contempt for the first time.

Karina on the side is also in a heavy mood, if the Chang 5-D realizes the recovery of the first and second levels of the core, plus the 37.2 tons of payload, Huaguo's aerospace field will be on a par with them.

Now NASA's own production and research and development capabilities have been suppressed, and it has been reduced to the point of buying Lucia rocket engines, and only the strength of private companies Space Exploration Company is okay.

The remaining companies such as Google, General Motors, and Lockmartin are now developing Lockmartin well.

Because of the semiconductor and Internet wars in recent years, Google has been a little too busy to take care of the aerospace field; GM has also lost money for 18 consecutive months because of the market impact of electric vehicles, so how can it have the time and money to invest in the aerospace field.

In the case of eliminating the strengths of the other, it is already a foreseeable situation to be caught up by China.

Karina picked up the binoculars and looked at the launch tower and the enclosed maintenance hall next to it for a while, then put the telescope away.

"David, pack up, let's go back!"

"Uh...... Don't you wait for the core to be recycled in the second level?" David hesitated.

Karina waved her hand: "There's no need for that." ”

“OK。”

The two quickly packed up their cameras and notebooks, and left the observation area directly, ready to take a flight back to Tokyo.

……

Space Center Atlanta.

NASA staff is closely observing the launch of the Chang-5-D through the satellite system.

After all, this is one of their few competitors, and it is also an influencing factor in NASA's funding, because the faster China's space field develops, Congress will have to increase NASA's investment.

Administrator John Max silently looked at the data from the satellite with his hands on his chest. Seven or eight Chinese fastest ^ mobile terminal:://

Obviously, the performance of Chang 5-D is a bit unexpected, especially the amazing space shuttle-style recovery, as well as the ongoing core secondary recovery, all of which show that Chang 5-D is extraordinary.

Noon on the third day.

NASA is still watching the core 2 and core 3 of Chang 5-D.

A staff member approached and whispered in John Max's ear, "Director John! Elon Musk wants to meet you. ”

This guy John Max raised an eyebrow, and then ordered, "Let him come." ”

“OK。”

After a while, the somewhat uninhibited Elon Musk walked in with the staff.

Elon Musk gave Administrator John a bear hug directly: "Oh! Dear John, long time no see. ”

"Alright, Elon, take your rude hand off me." Administrator John said unceremoniously.

"My old friend, you make me sad like this."

Director John coldly pointed to the door on one side: "If you are here to be sad, there is a rest room on the side." ”

"Alright! Let's get down to business, what do you think of that Long Five rocket," Elon Musk asked tentatively.

As soon as Director John heard it, he knew what the other party was thinking, probably wanting NASA to support SpaceX's Falcon rocket.

"You know on the rocket launch order, it's not something I can decide alone." Administrator John reminded.

Elon Musk also reminded with a smile: "I understand, but Mr. Administrator should also understand that only the heavy falcon can fight against the long five." ”

When the two of them were talking.

The flight altitude of the Chang-5-D core second stage dropped to a critical point, and after breaking through the Kármán line, it was briefly ignited three times in a row, and the auxiliary engine was used to decelerate and brake.

Until it is close to 30,000 meters above sea level, the hollow wings are deployed, the auxiliary engines are started, and under the ground remote control, the core second stage glides towards the Wenchang Space Center.

Ten minutes later.

The second stage of the core successfully landed on the runway of the Wenchang Space Center.

Under NASA's high-precision satellite surveillance, Administrator John and Elon Musk clearly saw the successful landing of the core 2.

"Amazing technology." Administrator John exclaimed, as he sighed as a human scientist.

Elon Musk, who is more concerned about interests, frowned, and the successful recovery of the two-stage core of the long five-D is not a good thing for Space Exploration Company.

This is the essential difference between a scientist and a businessman.