For electromagnetic propulsion, there are many key factors that restrict its thrust increase.

But the main ones are two.

One is a high-power and high-density power supply, and the other is a strong magnetic acceleration field.

Electromagnetic propulsion, as you know from the name, no matter which one it is, it is inseparable from the supply with power supply.

Even if the power attenuation caused by being far away from the sun is not taken into account, the size of the International Space Station can only provide about 120kW of electrical energy supply.

With 120Kw of electric energy, the thrust that can be provided by the current electric propulsion system is only about 5N.

The greater the thrust, the higher the demand for electrical energy, which is the predestined exponential relationship of the electromagnetic propulsion system.

The strong magnetic acceleration field determines the speed at which the ionized ions are made, and the faster the ions are ejected, the greater the thrust that can be formed.

As for the working fluid, it is not actually a technical problem, it is just a worthwhile consideration.

After all, no matter how expensive xenon is, today's industry has the means to mass-produce it.

Of course, for Xu Chuan, aside from technical difficulties, considering practicality is also something he needs to do.

As for Academician Yang Hong's curiosity, he smiled and replied: "If it is a problem in other aspects, maybe I can't think of any solution. ”

"But the magnetic field and working fluid, maybe there is a real chance to solve it."

After a slight pause, he looked at Yang Hong and continued: "Academician Yang should know about high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite materials, right?" ”

Hearing this, Yang Hong nodded and said, "I know this, but if you want to apply high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite materials to the electromagnetic propulsion system, I am afraid it will be difficult." ”

"Whether it is the volume or the additional condensing system, it will greatly increase the weight of the electromagnetic propulsion system, which will undoubtedly increase the burden on aerospace."

Xu Chuan said with a smile: "Theoretically, yes, but I have a recent research direction of superconducting materials at room temperature and how to improve the critical magnetic field of superconducting materials. ”

"We don't know the results yet, but if it succeeds, it should be no problem to use it in an electromagnetic propulsion system."

Hearing this, Yang Hong was stunned for a moment, opened his mouth and stopped.

He wanted to ask what kind of material and what direction, but at his level, he was naturally very clear about the confidentiality of relevant research.

After thinking for a while, he looked at Xu Chuan and asked, "What about the working material?" ”

"Even if you can solve the magnetic field, the working fluid is the key, and the price of xenon is more expensive than gold. If too much fluid is required to complete a space mission, it is better to use traditional chemical fuels for propulsion. ”

Hearing this, Xu Chuan smiled faintly and said, "Then don't use xenon." ”

"If you don't use xenon, what is it? Argon? Yang Hong was stunned for a moment, and said curiously: "Although argon is indeed cheaper than xenon, it is still in the research direction, and to support the completion of a space mission, the argon needed will not be less, and it may not be cheaper than chemical fuel." ”

Xu Chuan shook his head with a smile and said, "No, it's good to use nitrogen, the price of nitrogen is quite low, and the separation is simple, which is enough to support space missions." ”

"The reason why xenon is currently used in electric propulsion is that xenon is the easiest to ionize, and it is difficult to ionize other working fluids."

"The problem of ionizing nitrogen, if it is by traditional means, is naturally quite difficult. But when it comes to miniaturized and controllable fusion reactors, it is not a problem at all. ”

"The ionization temperature of nitrogen is more than 1,000 degrees Celsius, which is not a problem at all for controlled nuclear fusion technology"

"Wait, maybe there's a cheaper one."

As he spoke, Xu Chuan was suddenly stunned, and fell into thought while talking to himself.

On the other side, Yang Hong, who heard half of it, felt a little itchy in his heart, but he didn't interrupt Xu Chuan's thinking.

He knew that if the other party's thinking was fruitful today, it might be able to bring great changes to the development of the aerospace industry.

From the concise words just now, he understood the general meaning of the young man in front of him.

The use of controlled nuclear fusion technology to provide majestic electrical energy for the electromagnetic propulsion system, and the ionization of cheap nitrogen and other working fluids through high temperatures, combined with the strong critical magnetic field superconducting materials he is researching, to provide thrust for the electromagnetic propulsion system.

This should be the complete idea of the next generation of electromagnetic propulsion system.

I have to say that, theoretically speaking, this set of technologies, as long as the relevant core is fine, it is completely achievable.

Perhaps he has been studying in a field for too long, and the difficulties of hearing that he can lose have been deeply ingrained in his heart, and when facing the scientific and technological structure of this cutting-edge field, his thinking is a little stiff, and he does not have the bold examples of the past, and the idea of cautious verification.

This is probably something that almost every researcher will be born after a long period of research work.

It is also the reason why most of the breakthrough work in academia is almost always done when you are young and middle-aged.

Xu Chuan, who was caught in the conception, did not have the slightest environment in the unexpected world.

In my mind, a conceptual diagram of an electromagnetic propulsion system is being perfected little by little.

Suddenly, he suddenly raised his head, looked at Academician Yang Hong sitting opposite him with bright eyes, and asked in a somewhat excited tone: "Academician Yang, do you have a blackboard here?" ”

"Blackboard?" Yang Hong was stunned for a moment and said, "Yes, yes, but it's not in my office." If I need it, I'll pick it up? ”

Xu Chuan nodded and said, "Then please ask Academician Yang to help you get a blackboard and chalk, I have a new idea." ”

"Okay."

Yang Hong nodded, got up and walked out of the office, and after a while, he dragged a moving blackboard over.

Xu Chuan quickly stepped forward, picked up the chalk and began to draw on the blackboard.

The idea map in his mind gradually appeared on the blackboard in his hands.

On the side, Yang Hong looked curiously at the strange images that gradually appeared on the blackboard, a little puzzled.

However, as Xu Chuan began to explain each module, his whole person was gradually stunned, with shock and surprise in his pupils.

In the middle of the sound, Xu Chuan, who had dropped the last stroke, threw the chalk in his hand into the chalk box, turned to look at Yang Hong with a smile, and said, "This is a little idea that I just came up with temporarily, Academician Yang, take a look." However, I haven't learned to draw engineering drawings, so please forgive me for the ugly things I draw. ”

Looking at the structural diagram presented on the blackboard, Yang Hong couldn't help but swallow and said, "How did you come up with the idea of using compressed air as a working medium?!" ”

Hearing this, Xu Chuan smiled and said, "Cheap!" ”

"In the beginning, I wanted to use a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-manufacture working fluid such as nitrogen instead of xenon or argon as the working fluid for the engine."

"But no matter how cheap they are, they all have a cost."

"In that case, why not just get it from the atmosphere?"

"The main components of the earth's atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen, which account for more than 99 percent of the total composition, and it can be said that as long as they are in the atmosphere, these two are inexhaustible."

"Although nitrogen and oxygen are more difficult to ionize than gases such as xenon and argon, and the requirements for ionization are higher, if a controlled nuclear fusion reactor is used for energy, it can be said that there is no pressure to ionize the air."

"In that case, why not directly supply the electromagnetic propulsion system by adding an inhalation compression device that directly absorbs working fluids such as nitrogen and oxygen from the atmosphere."

"In this way, this propulsion device directly solves the problem of working fluid and endurance in the atmosphere, and as long as the energy provided by the controllable nuclear fusion reactor is sufficient, theoretically speaking, it can always soar above the blue sky."

"As for going deep into outer space, this requires the use of the working fluid carried by the spacecraft itself."

"But compared to launching directly from the ground, switching forms at high altitudes, and then climbing into outer space, there is no doubt that the amount of working fluid required is much less."

What does Academician Yang think of this idea? Can it be done? ”

On the other side, Yang Hong took a deep breath, suppressed the shock in his heart, and said slowly: "This is simply the most amazing electromagnetic engine design structure I have ever seen." ”

"Amazing!"

"But I have to say that if you can solve the problem of controlled nuclear fusion miniaturization and strong magnetocurrent acceleration fields, it is really possible."

Xu Chuan said with a smile: "I am going to name this electromagnetic propulsion system 'Aerospace Engine'!" ”

"Aerospace Engine, Aerospace Engine"

Yang Hongnian chattered twice, and said with bright eyes: "It is suitable for aviation, but also for aerospace engines!" ”

"If you really design and build this engine, it will be the biggest turning point in the field of aviation and aerospace!"

"Even, it will become one of the mainstream engines in the future interstellar voyage era."

"After all, theoretically, it's not just for the Earth, it's almost all planets with atmospheres, it can adapt."

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "Considering an alien planet or something, it's still too far away at the moment. ”

"But theoretically, it does adapt to the space field, and it can adapt to the aviation field. That's why I call it the Aerospace Engine. ”

After a pause, he opened his mouth and threw out an olive branch: "How is it, Academician Yang, are you interested?" Come to Xinghai Research Institute and work with me to develop this new set of engines. ”

Yang Hong's face was obviously moved, and he opened his mouth, but he still didn't say what he promised.

He shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Thank you very much for Academician Xu's attention, but I can't agree to this, after all, I still have the position of chief designer of the Tiangong space station." ”

Hearing this, Xu Chuan smiled embarrassedly, he almost forgot about it.

This digger digs directly into the head of another chief designer, whoa!

On the other side, Yang Hong smiled and said, "But I can recommend someone to you." ”

"Who?"

PS: There is one more change in the evening, ask for a monthly pass!