In the assembly center, a large number of engineers and technicians are inspecting the space shuttle in front of them.

Hundreds of thousands of parts, each of which has to be made sure to be error-free and without any problems, is undoubtedly quite a tedious and lengthy job.

In order to ensure the overall condition of the space shuttle, Weng Yunzong and Academician Chang Huaxiang personally led a team to conduct a detailed and meticulous inspection of the various parts and components of the space shuttle, one outside the main and the other inside, and did not miss any place.

Although the components and materials have already been inspected and tested at the time of assembly, repetitive inspections are still necessary after assembly.

A space shuttle is a systematic piece of equipment, and every part is related to the operation of its collation. Only when all the equipment is kept in excellent condition can we complete one space mission after another, and can we bring astronauts safely into space, send them to the moon and bring them back safely.

The explosion of the "Challenger" space shuttle and the crash of the "Columbia" space shuttle are vividly remembered, and even a small sealing ring and a small heat shield may bury the entire space shuttle and destroy the entire space project.

Therefore, the final inspection and testing work before leaving the factory cannot tolerate any sloppiness.

One test after another is being carried out and repeated.

In particular, the core components such as aerospace engines, miniaturized and controllable nuclear fusion reactors, ionization acceleration fields, and spiral magnetic fields have been inspected over and over again.

It's quite a gruesome thing to do with repetitive checks, and to be 100% focused every time as if it were the first time.

Despite this, none of the engineers and technicians present complained.

The inspection took three full days to complete, which was as long as the ignition of the Daybreak reactor when it was first turned on.

March 20th, the day before the spring equinox solar term of the lunar calendar.

After completing all the inspection work and ensuring that every part on the shuttle was fine, Weng Yunzong sent a thick stack of inspection reports and test results to Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan didn't have to look at the detailed results, and those inspection data didn't mean much to him.

It was enough for him to control the overall situation and some of the core details, and after glancing at the summarized report, Xu Chuan opened his mouth and asked, "What about the ionization acceleration field and the spiral magnetic field?" ”

On this space shuttle, there are undoubtedly only two core components.

They are small controllable nuclear fusion reactors that provide energy and aerospace engines.

The former does not need to be said or asked, not only did he personally lead the team to complete, but also in the past long time, the Energy Research Institute has carried out countless experiments and tests on it, which can fully guarantee its quality and performance.

The latter, the ionization acceleration field and the spiral magnetic field are undoubtedly the core of the aerospace engine.

Although it has also undergone a lot of testing and testing before installation, it is not heaven after all, and the specific situation remains to be tested.

Weng Yunzong quickly replied: "Three complete inspections and tests have been done on these two, and the inspection and test data of each time are above the standard. ”

Xu Chuan nodded, took a deep breath, and said, "Then work according to the plan!" ”

"Yes!"

When the Xinghai Research Institute was preparing for the maiden voyage of the 'Xinghai'.

On the other side, in the capital city, the HD area, in the headquarters building of Aerospace Science and Technology.

In the office of the chief designer of the Long March series of launch vehicles, Qu Mingcheng is sitting behind his desk and working on his own work.

At this moment, the door of the office was suddenly knocked twice quickly and pushed open.

Secretary Zhang Yangzhong, one of the directors of Aerospace Science and Technology, walked in quickly.

"Lao Qu, the latest news, the space shuttle over there of the Xinghai Research Institute has been completed, and its first flight will start tomorrow."

When he heard that the Xinghai Research Institute planned to launch the space shuttle tomorrow, that is, during the 'spring equinox' solar term, Qu Mingcheng was stunned.

It took him a moment to come to his senses, and he looked at the assistant who was reporting the news with suspicion and disbelief.

"Test flight? Tomorrow? So fast? ”

Zhang Yangzhong nodded and replied quickly: "Yes, the news is accurate, the Xinghai Research Institute will conduct its first test flight at ten o'clock tomorrow morning." Its main plans include flights within the atmosphere and climbing gravity wells into low-Earth orbit. ”

Hearing this, Qu Mingcheng immediately fell silent.

Electric propulsion. Aerospace engines. Miniaturized controllable nuclear fusion reactor. Low Earth orbit

A series of things flashed through his mind like flowers.

Is it really possible?

Although under the 'mediation' of industry and information technology, the Aerospace Science and Technology Group also participated in the design and manufacturing process of the space shuttle, and they provided flight control systems, CNC shot peening technology for integral wall panels, and super-strong magnesium alloy crystal materials.

But not many people in the entire aerospace science and technology group, from top to bottom, really think that the electric propulsion system can really climb gravity wells, and even they are ready to use boosters to send each other's space shuttles into the sky using chemical-fueled launch vehicles.

After all, as far as the thrust of electric propulsion is concerned, even if the Xinghai Research Institute has previously demonstrated the KN-level thrust at the bidding conference for manned spaceflight and lunar exploration projects, it is difficult for them to believe that electric propulsion can really carry the space shuttle to climb gravity wells.

After all, they are not without electric propulsion.

However, what he didn't expect was that the other party was about to start a test flight so soon.

Seeing Qu Mingcheng fall silent, Zhang Yangzhong frowned, and said a little anxiously: "Old Qu, what should we do next?" If the other side really does it, the development of the space field."

He didn't finish his words, but Qu Mingcheng behind the desk understood the meaning.

In fact, at the time of the first bidding conference for manned spaceflight and lunar exploration projects, aerospace science and technology were almost opposed to the Xinghai Research Institute.

After all, with the country's attention to the aerospace field and the opening of a new round of competition in the aerospace field, the cake in the aerospace field will become bigger and bigger.

As the most powerful veteran aerospace group in China, aerospace science and technology can not say that it can eat 100% of this 'monopoly' cake, and there is no problem at all in eating a big head.

Originally, they were ready to do this, after all, the development of the domestic aerospace field was originally a semi-monopoly nature, although there are some private enterprises, but there are very few capable of participating in manned spaceflight and lunar exploration projects.

However, the industry and information cowards came forward and pulled them a 'sideshow', at least in their opinion.

This bias 'forced' them to share the cake in the aerospace field, and the bulk of this share was taken away by the Xinghai Research Institute, or by Professor Xu.

In this regard, although aerospace science and technology are somewhat dissatisfied, there is nothing they can do.

However, as a veteran aerospace group, some of their interests naturally need to be considered, and in the case of the aerospace group's arguments, the above still made some concessions, or made some more comprehensive considerations.

For example, among the cakes that are divided, if they have the ability, or if the Xinghai Research Institute and other aerospace companies are not able to eat it, they can still take it back.

In doing so, not only considering the influence of the old group, but also worrying that the development of the aerospace industry on the side of the Xinghai Research Institute may not be as smooth as imagined.

After all, electric propulsion to the sky sounds really incredible.

Even if the person leading the team is the demonic Academician Xu, not everyone is convinced. After all, astronautics and controlled nuclear fusion are two completely different fields.

At the time of the space race, it is natural for the top management to consider a more comprehensive deployment and arrangement.

It is precisely because of this that there are not too many complaints on the side of aerospace science and technology.

After all, there is still a lot of hope that they will take back these cakes.

Only now, things seem to be a little bad for them. Things that seemed to everyone to be safe and secure are now unexpected.

If the Xinghai successfully completed its maiden voyage, I am afraid that they will not be able to eat the cake that was divided.

As the person in charge of astronautics, as well as the person in charge of manned spaceflight and lunar exploration projects, Zhang Yangzhong is naturally anxious.

Behind the desk, Qu Mingcheng rubbed his temples with a headache.

As an academician of the Aerospace Science and Technology Group and the chief designer of the Long March series of rockets, he naturally stands on the side of aerospace science and technology.

But at this point, even if he is anxious, there is nothing he can do, neither he nor Qu Mingcheng can and cannot stop the other party's first flight operation.

Unless, the other party's maiden voyage fails

Suddenly, an idea popped up in Qu Mingcheng's mind.

Soon, though, he threw it out of his mind entirely.

As an astronaut, as a scholar, and as a Chinese, this kind of thinking. Can't have!

Even if it's in the position of a competitor

On the other side, Jinling, Xiashu.

According to the plan reported by the Xinghai Research Institute, as early as a few days ago, the entire space base entered a state of strict alert.

With the cooperation of the Jinling City Government, two regiment-level units drawn from the army side are closely guarding this place, and the farthest checkpoint has been set up on the road five kilometers away to strictly check any vehicles entering the area.

On the periphery of the space base, there are groups of heavily armed soldiers constantly patrolling back and forth inside and outside, eliminating all potential threats and potential safety hazards.

Its safety level is not weaker than when the dawn demonstration pile was ignited.

On the one hand, there is the necessary secrecy.

It is foreseeable that with the continuous development of the Xinghai Research Institute and the formation of the space shuttle, the eyes of many other countries and regions have long been eyed here.

With your toes, you can imagine how many satellites are staring at this point and this location.

But it can't be helped, satellites, they can't find a way to shoot down such things, right?

Even if they were able to do it, they wouldn't be able to do it.

On the other hand, such thorough security is a consideration for the safety of citizens and civilians living in the vicinity.

No one can guarantee 100 percent success in an undertaking like space activities.

And this space shuttle also has such a thing as a controlled nuclear fusion reactor deployed, although it is only small, but in case of an accident, it can cause great damage.

Of course, for this aspect of the problem, Xu Chuan and the Xinghai Research Institute naturally considered it completely, and also made all preparations for small reactors.

However, just in case, the entire space base, except for the necessary staff, everyone else was temporarily evacuated.

Originally, he was also part of the evacuation, after all, even all the equipment of the entire space base added up was not as important to him.

But as the head of the entire project, it was equally impossible for him to leave the general command room.

Following.

Xu Chuan, who got up early in the morning, rushed towards the general command room with the early morning dew.

As an important day for space activities, it is naturally impossible to choose a rainy and foggy day, as early as a week ago, they determined through 'accurate' weather prediction, and determined that this spring equinox solar term will be a sunny day.

Of course, even if it is rainy, it has no effect, manpower can win the sky, and through various means such as manual cloud elimination, they have a way to forcibly modify a rainy day to a sunny day.

However, in the spring of March, it is inevitable that the water vapor will be overflowing, and after one night, the lawn and roadside of the space base will be covered with dewdrops.

Of course, this did not have any effect on the inaugural voyage of the Star Sea.

After a while, when the sun comes out, the dew drops will naturally fade and evaporate.

"Captain Zhou."

Outside the general command room, Xu Chuan shook hands with Zhou Ji, who was in charge of security work, and said with a smile: "This security work, I trouble you again." ”

The two are also old acquaintances, starting from the nuclear waste project to the controllable nuclear fusion project later, this Zhou Ji has always been in charge of it, and has never been out of any basket. In this space activity, he was responsible for the internal security of the space base, and cooperated with another regiment commander to carry out overall security planning.

Zhou Ji smiled, shook hands with Xu Chuan, and said, "Please rest assured, Academician Xu, we have made arrangements for the relevant security work throughout the process." ”

Xu Chuan nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work." ”

Zhou Ji nodded and said, "It's not hard, this is our duty in itself." ”

Xu Chuan waved his hand and said with a smile: "I will definitely rest assured that the work will be handed over to you." ”

Zhou Ji didn't speak, and saluted straight to Xu Chuan's departing back, and then picked up the walkie-talkie:

"Attention to the companies in the space base, from now on, the entire space base will be constantly patrolled and investigated! I'm staring at me everywhere! ”

PS: There's another chapter later.,But it should be late.,Let's watch it when you get up in the morning.,By the way, ask for a monthly pass!

PS: Push this book, a new book from friends, you can take a look if you are interested

The title of the book is "I, the Witch Breeder!" 》

Brief introduction:

Traveling through the mysterious world, Locke binds the witch feeding system, and explores 54 times according to folklore, neighborhood anecdotes, and various tabloid magazines, looking for the legendary witch, only to prove that those are all rumors, and he is a fool.

Just when he was about to give up looking for a witch, he accidentally saw a job advertisement......

Testimonials:

This book is also known as "Locke's Demon Queen Kingdom", "I Really Didn't Want to Be an Evil God", "I Was Surrounded by Witches as a God"