The first test experiment of the small reactor began at half past nine in the morning and lasted until about one o'clock in the afternoon, when it came to an end in stages.

In the small cafeteria of the Xinghai Research Institute, Yuan Yingcai, who had followed the whole experiment throughout the whole process, looked at Xu Chuan with a scorching light in his eyes.

If large-scale controllable nuclear fusion reactors have brought earth-shaking changes to the energy field, then miniaturized controllable nuclear fusion reactors have changed more in various fields that require energy supply systems, such as military, aerospace, and naval aviation.

Not to mention the large equipment such as an aircraft carrier, it is a strategic bomber with a small fusion reactor, which can have the ability to cruise around the world.

Not to mention a series of defense equipment such as aerospace fighters and aerospace carriers that can be deployed in hundreds of kilometers and even in outer space.

The impact of this change on the future pattern of warfare will be enormous.

For aerospace science and industry, they are good at the research and development of various national defense equipment, as well as the development of a series of major military-civilian technology products in the information industry and equipment manufacturing industry.

On the other side, the capital.

A small island in the North Sea on the north side of Chang'an Avenue.

Yuan Zhouli, the head of science and technology, held a report document in his hand, and followed the guards into the two-story building in front of him.

He knocked on the door of the study, and after a sound of 'come in' from inside, he quickly pushed the door open and walked in.

"What's the matter, what's so urgent?" In the study, the old man looked at Yuan Zhouli who hurried over with a smile and asked.

After taking a deep breath and calming down his breath and emotions, Yuan Zhouli quickly spoke: "Shouzhang, the latest news from the Xinghai Research Institute has made a major breakthrough in miniaturized and controllable nuclear fusion technology!" ”

"According to the situation compiled and reported by Comrade Wen Yuanhang, the Xinghai Research Institute has successfully realized the ignition and power generation test of small reactors."

"Judging by the current test data. The development of small reactors is quite smooth! ”

Hearing this, the pupils of the old man sitting behind the desk suddenly contracted, and even he couldn't help but breathe two minutes faster.

He quickly took the report file handed over by Yuan Zhouli and opened it, which contained a data file about the small reactor test experiment, as well as some brief explanations of the corresponding data.

After all, not everyone can understand professional things.

After a quick glance at the report document in his hand, the old man's eyes showed a look of joy.

Putting down the report in his hand with a smile, the old man looked at the information on it and sighed softly: "It is a great fortune for the country to have a scholar like Academician Xu." ”

If he remembered correctly, when Comrade Wen Yuanhang from the Xinghai Research Institute reported to him last time, he said that it would not be completed until around February next year.

Unexpectedly, it was only the middle of early December, and they handed over a satisfactory answer.

Although it will take some time to test and adjust according to the report, there is no doubt that it is only a matter of time.

looked at Yuan Zhouli, who was standing opposite, and asked quickly: "According to Comrade Wen Yuanhang's report, after the small reactor is completed, will the Huaxing fusion device be able to be dismantled?" ”

With the completion of the small reactor, the Huaxing fusion device transformed from the Spiral Stone-7X has also completed its mission.

Of course, this refers to a mission on the road to research on miniaturized and controllable nuclear fusion technology, and for the rest of the time, it will be transferred to the aircraft carrier 03 to continue its defense career.

For them who have been waiting for a long time, this is undoubtedly the best news they have heard this winter.

Yuan Zhouli nodded and replied quickly: "I have communicated with Comrade Wen Yuanhang here, and the Naval Equipment Department will arrange a team to enter the Xinghai Research Institute to complete the transfer of the Huaxing fusion device while learning and understanding." ”

According to the current communication estimates, it will take about two and a half months for the Huaxing fusion reactor to be dismantled and reassembled on the No. 03 aircraft carrier.

"So how is the preparation of the 03 aircraft carrier?"

"The renovation work of the No. 03 aircraft carrier began around July this year, including the transformation of the fusion reactor installation location, as well as the adjustment and deployment of ferrofluid generator sets and supercritical steam generator sets, which have been planned from the current work situation, and it is estimated that all the work will be completed around mid-March to early April next year."

The old man nodded with a smile, and said with some emotion: "A nuclear fusion-powered aircraft carrier, who would dare to think that it was put two years ago?" ”

Yuan Zhouli also smiled and said: "At that time, everyone was still researching controllable nuclear fusion technology, and even many people felt that this was a dead end and could not be done. And Academician Xu has stepped out of this impossible road to heaven, and this talent and ability can be described as unparalleled in the world! ”

The old man smiled, suddenly remembered something, and asked, "By the way, how is the situation on the aerospace side?" I remember that the aerospace engine developed by Academician Xu also came out, right? ”

Yuan Zhouli nodded and said: "Well, some time ago, Academician Xu went to participate in the bidding conference for the manned spaceflight and lunar landing project, and demonstrated the electric propulsion system developed by the Xinghai Research Institute. ”

"According to the internal communication of the space agency, the next space project will most likely be completed in a way that chemical fuel launch vehicles and electric propulsion systems go hand in hand."

"That is, the materials required for the lunar exploration project will be transported to low earth orbit through chemical fuel launch vehicles, and the transfer will be completed through docking, and the manned lunar landing and lunar exploration project will be completed by the space shuttle."

After a pause, he glanced at the old man with some hesitation, and then said: "However, it is not easy to say whether the Xinghai Research Institute can complete the research and design, manufacturing and testing processes of the space shuttle on schedule." ”

"If the Xinghai Research Institute is delayed, the follow-up will either change the time of the manned spaceflight and lunar exploration projects, or hand over the mission of the space shuttle to the space group."

"But in this way, no matter what we do, I am afraid it will be a big blow to our aerospace development."

The space agency's talent and vision are naturally there, and the advantages and disadvantages of chemical fuel launch vehicles and electric propulsion systems, what Xu Chuan can see, they can naturally see.

It is undoubtedly the best solution to complete the manned space flight and lunar exploration projects through this coordinated and cooperative approach.

Moreover, in terms of cake distribution in the aerospace field, more aerospace companies can also participate, breaking the monopoly of aerospace resources by the two major aerospace companies in the past.

It's just that compared with those old aerospace groups, the Xinghai Research Institute's background in the aerospace field is still a little too shallow.

In addition, the design and manufacture of the space shuttle is a big project, and no one can guarantee whether it can be completed on schedule.

Therefore, during this time, the space agency also quarreled for related work.

Some people feel that the current focus is not on the development of electric propulsion technology and the space shuttle, and that electric propulsion technology is important, but the most important thing is to send astronauts to the moon before NASA space agency.

Some people also feel that they should believe in Academician Xu, and they should also take the initiative to promote the development of electric propulsion systems and space shuttles.

After all, judging from the increasingly mature small-scale controllable nuclear fusion technology and aerospace engine technology, in the future aerospace field, electric propulsion will definitely replace today's fossil fuel propulsion and occupy the mainstream position.

And since they have achieved technological leadership in this field, there is no reason not to prioritize the development of electric propulsion and the space shuttle, and continue to follow NASA's ass with fossil fuel propulsion is not a good thing for the future of the country's spaceflight.

Of course, there are naturally those who refute this view.

After all, the electric propulsion system and the space shuttle are a new technology for Huaguo, and there are no stones in front of them to cross the river, and whether the safety and stability are reliable is unknown.

Crossing the river by feeling the stones also naturally has its advantages, at least in terms of safety and stability, the chemical-fueled launch vehicles that have completed many phases of the Chang'e project are naturally more certain.

For this reason, some time ago, the space agency is now about to split into two, and the two factions are arguing at the meeting every day.

Listening to Yuan Zhouli's worries, the old man smiled and said: "Competition in the aerospace field is important, but the most important thing is the development of our own scientific and technological strength. ”

"Whether it is a chemical fuel launch vehicle, or a space shuttle + electric propulsion technology, it is the foundation of our country's settlement.

After a slight pause, the old man continued: "Of course, in the aerospace field, the background of the Xinghai Research Institute is still a little insufficient, and when necessary, we will definitely pull a hand." ”

Compared with the old aerospace group, Xinghai Research Institute is a pure newcomer in the aerospace field.

Although a group of people from other aerospace companies have been recruited or seconded to set up aerospace research institutes, the foundation is certainly not able to catch up with the veteran groups that have been working in the aerospace field all year round.

However, the future of electric propulsion should not be underestimated, and as some experts at the space agency foresaw, this is the future trend.

Considering from the perspective of a country, he should not only look at the current development and competition, but also start the future layout.

Moreover, at the right time, pulling a hand at the Xinghai Research Institute can also improve the competition of domestic aerospace enterprises, which is in line with their previous policy of promoting the diversified development of aerospace enterprises.

After all, those old aerospace groups have monopolized the development of the aerospace field for a long time, and it is difficult for them to become active on their own without adding some foreign competition.

Healthy competition can promote the development of science and technology.