Chapter 1667 We still have a chance

Consensus was reached on the preliminary framework of the fusion demonstration reactor, and the atmosphere in the office relaxed a little.

Chang Haonan picked up the teacup and took a sip of water. He was about to get up and say goodbye when Luan Wenjie stopped him.

"Wait a moment." The latter's tone was filled with the anticipation of a technician. "You mentioned earlier that the general solution to the NS equations... could solve the Long March 9's propulsion problem?"

"Of course." Chang Haonan sat back down, a gentle yet confident smile on his face. "In fact, I plan to use the Long March 9 rocket engine as my first attempt to solve a practical problem."

Luan Wenjie came from the aerospace sector, so he was naturally overjoyed at this answer.

But then a more practical question came to mind: "How do these theoretical results... translate into engineering practice? Do I need to organize relevant experts to systematically study your general solution theory?"

"Not yet." Chang Haonan shook his head. "I can take out all the manuscripts and calculation programs used in solving the problem and disseminate them within a certain range internally, but the expression of the general solution of the NS equation is highly abstract. It is not a simple formula or matrix, but a set of topological description frameworks for the equivalence class of the 'ultimate form' of fluid motion..."

“Even for top mathematicians, to fully understand and skillfully apply it, I’m afraid it would take one to two years of immersive research. For technicians with an engineering background, the threshold is probably even higher.”

Luan Wenjie smiled bitterly:

"What you're researching right now is truly... beyond the comprehension of us 'mortals'... It feels like you've found the key to unlocking the ultimate laws of the fluid world."

Chang Haonan did not respond to this sentiment, but proposed a more pragmatic solution:

"Currently, the most efficient approach is to perform targeted secondary processing on the general solution theory based on the specific problems in different application fields, converting it into relatively easy-to-use computational models, optimization algorithms, or design criteria for specific engineering scenarios. For example, for the combustion oscillation problem of a staged-refueling rocket engine, a set of eigenmode separation and stability criterion algorithms can be encapsulated."

"But at least so far, this 'secondary processing' and adaptation work can only be carried out by myself, or under my direct guidance, so I need the support of the Industrial Construction Commission and the Space Administration."

Luan Wenjie immediately sat up straight and returned to work: "Tell me, what do you need specifically?"

"First, the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and the First Academy, responsible for the overall design of the Long March 9, need to compile the detailed design specifications, a list of known technical bottlenecks, and related data for the large-thrust regenerative cycle liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen engines, as well as the large-thrust regenerative cycle liquid oxygen and kerosene engines, into a complete, encrypted technical package and hand it over to the Torch Laboratory as soon as possible."

"No problem!" Luan Wenjie answered firmly, "Just go ahead and do it. I'll take care of these things!"

……

Three days later, Washington.

White House Situation Room.

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon stood before a large screen showing grainy surveillance photos of Elon Musk at the Tesla Design Center in Palo Alto, California, and excerpts from communications metadata analysis.

"Your Excellency, Musk returned to Palo Alto yesterday."

Donilon introduced in a steady voice:

"According to reliable sources within SpaceX, he has been acting unusually since returning. He has been frequently holding meetings with key engineers from SpaceX's propulsion department and the Falcon Heavy project for two consecutive days, repeatedly asking about the rocket's carrying capacity, redundancy design, and the possibility of rapid response launches. This frequency far exceeds his normal management style."

He switched to a chart showing a surge in the frequency of Musk's internal communications in recent days:

"Combining information from various sources and analyzing it, we believe there's a high probability that he reached some form of secret agreement with the other party's top brass during his time in China."

Donilon finished his report and waited for the expected wrath.

However, the expected storm did not come.

He was somewhat surprised to find that President Obama exchanged glances with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, who was sitting next to him. Instead of anger, there was a hint of... relief in those eyes.

Or even a smile of success?

Such an unusual reaction made Donilon a little unsure of the situation:

"Sir, what are you doing..."

Ao Guanhai leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and a subtle smile curved his lips. "Tom, do you think Musk was able to leave for China so smoothly? Was it because we were negligent, or did we really believe he was going on some kind of ice-breaking trip?"

His tone once again took on the composure of a person in control.

Donilon was startled: "You mean..."

"Of course we acquiesced to this, or rather, it was part of our strategic guidance," Ao Guanhai said firmly. "We needed a window, a window that could reveal the opponent's true weaknesses, and Elon Musk was the 'probe' we deliberately released."

Director Bolden took over the conversation at the right moment, his tone filled with irrepressible excitement:

"Tom, the intelligence you received about Musk's interest in the Falcon Heavy confirms our internal NASA technical assessment team's previous assessment. While the Chinese Beacon Project is ambitious, and the XS-1 space reactor can be launched using the Long March C, what about the subsequent construction of the massive relay station? What about those modules, which weigh dozens of tons?"

He stood up and walked to the large screen. He pulled up a chart comparing the carrying capacity of currently active heavy-lift rockets, including the Long March 5, Angara A, and Proton-M. Next to it was a chart listing the estimated masses of the Beacon base's core module, living module, and experimental module.

"Look, whether it's the Long March 5, Proton-M, or Angara-A, none of them can possibly meet the requirements for launching a single large module at once. As for their Long March ? It's still on the drawing board! The Russian Energia? It's long since become history! Looking around the world, we're the only one with a relatively mature rocket of this level of carrying capacity."

Bolden's voice rose slightly with excitement:

"The Chinese can't produce enough heavy rockets on their own, and time is running out. What can they do? They can only seek external help! Musk and his SpaceX are the choice they made! This is the most fatal weakness in their space ambitions! Now, we have precisely grasped it!"

The smile on Ao Guanhai's face became even more pronounced, and the previous haze seemed to be swept away by this "discovery":

"Charles is right. Musk's actions have exposed the Chinese's huge shortcomings in space transportation capabilities. Their 'Beacon' plan is far from being as perfect as we previously feared! The situation is also far less dire than we anticipated!"

After a few days of sinking, he seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw, and his tone became tougher:

"In addition, this also confirms our previous strategic judgment: advanced semiconductor manufacturing and heavy-duty space transportation are the two major weaknesses that the Chinese cannot completely overcome independently in the short term! As long as we identify these two points and continue to exert maximum pressure, we will always be able to force them back to the negotiating table!"

"So what should we do next..." Donilon asked.

Although there is still a trace of doubt in my heart, the logic of Ao Guanhai and Bolden seems to make sense.

Besides, he had no way to make the other two change their minds.

Ao Guanhai quickly gave instructions:

"First, immediately have the Department of Defense and relevant contractors spread the word to Congress and allies that we have mature Point B supplier solutions for the F-35B's lift fan system and the Zumwalt-class destroyer's power pack. We will coordinate with Rolls-Royce as soon as possible. The production schedule will not be substantially affected by the so-called 'melting pot' list, thus stabilizing the confidence of defense industry stocks and allies."

"Second," his tone turned cold, "increase supervision and pressure on TSMC to ensure its core technology doesn't flow to China... At the same time, closely monitor SpaceX, especially any technical exchanges or material transfers between it and China. He wants to have it both ways? It won't be that easy!"

"We must make the Chinese people understand that without the system we lead, their 'sea of stars' will be impossible to reach!"