On New Year's Day.

Regardless of whether they know about aerospace or not, almost half of China is rejoicing at the launch of the Xiangrui. Most people may not understand the difference between electric propulsion and chemical propulsion, and they don't understand what Hall thrusters are, but as the first space plane that can safely travel between the surface and outer space, the Xiangrui can be said to fill the gap in this area.

However, on this happy day, a report suddenly released by the New York Times poured cold water on many people who were still excited.

In the report, The New York Times excerpted some of the remarks made by a NASA spokesman, while quoting several passages from other Silicon Valley aerospace engineers that the Xiangrui had serious design flaws.

And this fatal flaw may lead to its ease of going up and being difficult to come down.

The end result is likely to be like Columbia's, which will disintegrate in the atmosphere......

As soon as the interview was released, it set off a wide range of heated discussions on social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

And when the New York Times report was transmitted back to China, it set off a big wave. Especially when the 25-second video of Dao Congratulatory New Year's Day just came out, it suddenly cast a haze over the overwhelming reports about the successful launch of Xiangrui.

Excitement is excitement can't get up.

Even many people sweated for Professor Lu, who was still in the sky.

[Paralysis! The Yankees are just restless and kind! Curse our plane for falling! 】

[Can the plane still be cursed?] This is also a kind reminder! 】

[Not necessarily! I think this Yankee must be planning something, maybe he wants to secretly shoot down with missiles, right? 】

[MiG-25: As long as I run fast enough, the missiles can't catch up with me (funny)]

【Prayer for the God of Land (Candle) (Candle) (Candle)】

[I am willing to use the above to exchange the auspicious landing safety (candle) for the rest of your life]

【……】

Related topics were quickly hit on the top of the hot search.

It's also a shame that Lu Zhou can't play with his mobile phone or brush his neck at this time, otherwise he will definitely laugh out loud.

Can't return?

How can it be......

Ten thousand steps back, even if he really can't return, there is still a spare escape pod to use, how can he really joke with his own life.

At this moment, it is far above four hundred kilometers.

Xiangrui, which is operating in low earth orbit, has completed a series of basic operations including orbit change flight, pressure adjustment in the spacecraft's cabin, backup health system test, sleeping and eating in weightless environment, and has produced 20 cases of vegetable and fruit seeds. Exposed to the environment of space, observe the possible effects of cosmic rays on life activities.

After completing a series of flight tests and scientific expeditions, the cruising time has reached 23 hours and 50 minutes.

As planned, the Xiangrui restarted its engines under the instructions of the ground command and was ready to return home.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Nie Han said while checking the operation of the energy supply components while imitating the voice of the flight attendant.

"Professor Lu, please put on your in-cabin spacesuit and lie down on the crew seat. This flight is about to return to ......"

"I know, don't remind me." Lu Zhou smiled and said, giving the two of them a thumbs up, "Come on, I'll leave it to you when I return." ”

He's in a pretty good mood at this point.

This time God is too addicted.

Of course, the main thing is the 50,000 free experience and lottery opportunities.

Even if it is just for the sake of these 50,000 free experiences, the cost of this test flight is not a loss.

Nie Yun turned his head and forced a smile, but sweat was already oozing from his palms.

The difficulty of returning to home is no less difficult than that of launching.

Although the return strategy of Xiangrui is theoretically much safer than that of ordinary re-entry spacecraft, no one can guarantee that there will be no accidents. After all, it was the first time that he and the Xiangrui had flown so high......

"Professor, can you promise me one thing?"

Lu Zhou: "What's the matter?" ”

"If I return safely this time......

"Stop!" Lu Zhou hurriedly raised his hand and interrupted Nie Yun in the middle of his words, "Don't be in a hurry to set up the flag at this time, I will promise you everything when I get to the ground." ”

Just don't go too far.

Don't rush to get married.

However, Nie Yun didn't appreciate it.

Seeing that Lu Zhou was obviously perfunctory, his hands suddenly left the control console and said with a sad and angry face.

"No, I have to say it now!"

Lu Zhou: "......"

MMP！

A big man, can't even wait an hour or two?

Sighing, Lu Zhou reluctantly spoke.

"Okay...... Then you say, but if you open your mouth now, I can't promise you everything. ”

Nie Yun: "My request is very simple, promise me that this is the last time I will go to heaven!" ”

As soon as he heard this, Lu Zhou suddenly had a constipated expression on his face.

How is this possible!

He's still growing up in this life!

Looking at the resolute expression on Nie Yun's face, Lu Zhou reluctantly compromised.

"At most, I promise you, this is the last time you will fly into the sky."

Nie Yun pondered for a moment, and nodded reluctantly.

"That's fine!"

As long as it's not on his plane anyway.

If something happens to this Nima, he will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history.

After joining the army for so many years, it was the first time he was so afraid of death.

"Okay brother, you're enough!"

Nie Han shook his head, reached out and pressed a few buttons on the control panel.

"The navigation system has been activated, it has been confirmed that there is no abnormal situation in the channel, the energy supply device has been warmed up, and the No. 1 and No. 2 engines are on standby."

"Orbit change is ready."

Regaining his usual composure and composure, Nie Yun closed his eyes and took a deep breath and reopened his eyes.

"Ignition!"

……

Whether it's a space shuttle, a space plane, or any other manned spacecraft, returning from low Earth orbit is always a technical task.

As the co-pilot, Nie Han first determined the "fuel" status of the Xiangrui. Among them, the remaining amount of deuterium-tritium mixed gas is quite sufficient, even if it is more than enough to go back to the surface, the only large loss is the solid xenon in the working fluid tank, and the margin is only 21%.

After all, you can't climb out of the gravity well without a certain thrust, and if you want to fly from the surface to the low earth orbit, you must increase the amount of working fluid to increase the thrust of the engine at the expense of a certain specific impulse.

However, if it is only for the return voyage, this working quality is still more than enough.

Under the dual guidance of the ground command center and the spacecraft's intelligent navigation system, Nie Yun controlled the Xiangrui to successfully complete the orbit change, from the operating orbit to the transition orbit.

At the same time, in NASA's satellite control room, the sound of exclamation sounded in front of the semi-arc console.

"The target is starting to return."

"May the Pacific be their home," Aiden added viciously after staring at the green dot on the screen, "It's best not to leave all corpses except for spacecraft." ”

Several workers monitoring the spacecraft's movements twitched their brows fiercely.

For astronauts, this curse is simply too vicious.

Even if it's against a competitor......

Staring nervously at the green dot near the dense boundary of the atmosphere, the engineer sitting in front of the console suddenly spoke.

"The trajectory of the Xiangyun is abnormally ......"

Aiden slammed his hands on the table and said overjoyedly, "Did they malfunction?" ”

Could it be that God heard his prayers?

If they did fall in the Pacific Ocean, the fleet stationed in Guam would definitely be happy to help with the salvage.

"There's a difference between the way they return and the way we know to return......"

The excitement in his heart gradually faded, and Aiden, who realized that the situation might not be the same as he thought, gradually frowned.

"What do you mean?"

“…… There is only one possibility. ”

"What the hell?"

"They still have ...... fuel left," the engineer said with a look of disbelief on his face and a difficult tone, "and there's quite a bit left." ”