Chapter 1668 The sudden appearance of data

One month later, Beijing.

Inside the technical seminar room of the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The long conference table was filled with department heads, chief designers, and R&D backbones.

Many middle-level leaders who are rarely seen in daily life cannot even get a front-row seat in this room.

Even for a complex and behemoth organization like the Sixth Hospital, this kind of scene is actually not very common...

The reason for this scene is undoubtedly——

"Beacon".

Of course, as a propulsion technology research institute, even if it wants to participate in the research and development of auxiliary modules, transport spacecraft, or XS-1 space reactors, it would not cause such a big fuss.

What they really need to solve is how to launch these things into orbit...

At 9 o'clock sharp, Chief Engineer Li Renping came and stood behind the small podium.

On the wall behind him, a large screen displayed a series of complex structural diagrams and densely packed data curves.

Each picture shows the glorious achievements of the Sixth Academy in the past.

But judging from the speed at which the pictures are refreshed, none of them should be the topic of today's seminar.

"Comrades, you should have already reviewed the relevant documents regarding the 'Beacon' relay base."

Li Renping placed his hands on both sides of the podium, speaking in a full and resonant voice:

"This is the cornerstone of our nation's space strategy for the next 20 years, and it presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges for our generation, and indeed for the next generation of aerospace professionals!"

The old man in his seventies showed a sense of high spirits.

However, it should be so.

From the first rocket and the first satellite to today's lunar rover and space station, China's aerospace industry has gone through a glorious journey from nothing to something in less than half a century.

But in horizontal comparison, we are always following behind others.

But this time it was completely different.

Immigration relay bases are only considered as concepts by other countries at most.

As a serious plan, it is definitely the first time for human beings.

"The XS-1 space nuclear reactor, serving as the core energy source and the first module to enter orbit, has been confirmed to be launched aboard the improved Long March C. But what about the subsequent construction of the massive relay station?"

He clicked his mouse and a blueprint of the Beacon relay base appeared on the screen:

"Preliminary estimates indicate that the first phase of the project alone will require the precise delivery of a payload exceeding 200 tons into the Earth-Moon transfer orbit. If supplies and fuel are taken into account, this figure will nearly double. This will undoubtedly require a heavy-lift rocket with a stronger carrying capacity, which is also the mission of the future Long March and Long March rockets!"

"As the 'heart' of the new generation of super-heavy rockets, the success or failure of the YF-177 and YF-90 engines will directly affect whether the 'Beacon' project can be completed as scheduled!"

Today's Long March 9 is the second version of the plan that has been adjusted according to the requirements.

The first-stage engine has also been replaced with more than one model.

From the original YF130, to the improved YF177, and then to the YF177, which was almost completely redesigned after the deep space exploration plan was confirmed a few years ago.

Fortunately, the YF90 used in the second level has been progressing steadily, with only some of the requirements being changed.

The emotions of the audience were instantly aroused and there was a burst of warm applause.

"Cough-cough-"

After clearing his throat, Li Renping switched to another PPT, which listed the development nodes of the YF-177 staged-burning liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen engine and the YF-90 staged-burning liquid oxygen and kerosene engine.

However, several key nodes are marked with eye-catching red question marks.

He changed the subject and his tone became serious:

"Of course, everyone is well aware of the difficulties we are currently facing, which is why we are holding this meeting today..."

"..."

The meeting then entered a relatively depressing phase.

After a silence of more than ten seconds, Shuai Xinping, director of the Third Research Office, spoke first:

"Since no one wants to be the first to make a fool of themselves, I'll be the first to set an example."

Among all the lab leaders, he has the longest experience and has experienced the most setbacks and failures, so he has relatively no psychological burden:

"Our main problem is the persistent low-frequency combustion oscillations during engine operation. While adjustments to the injector configuration and the addition of acoustic cavities have improved this problem, unpredictable, sudden high-frequency oscillations still occur under a wide range of operating conditions, especially at high mixture ratios. These oscillations can easily cause structural fatigue and even fracture... The mechanism is not yet fully understood, and the effectiveness of our suppression measures remains uncertain."

With the first person starting, the subsequent speeches will be much smoother.

"For liquid oxygen turbopumps, cavitation is currently the most significant problem. To achieve the required power density, the pump speed must reach an extreme 10 rpm or higher. At such extreme speeds, severe cavitation is very likely to occur in the impeller inlet area, causing efficiency to drop by more than 30%, leading to excessive vibration and threatening rotor safety. With current fluid design capabilities, it is difficult to overcome this problem in a short period of time."

"The response delay of the high-thrust vector actuation system still does not meet the requirements. To achieve precise attitude control of heavy-lift rockets, the YF-177 needs to be equipped with a vector nozzle actuation system that can generate hundreds of tons of thrust. However, there is a coupling effect between this system and the gas channel. The current control solution has difficulty reconciling the contradiction between response speed and calculation accuracy. Both delayed and inaccurate movements will affect the rocket's flight stability."

"..."

Obviously, it is not easy to increase the total take-off weight of the rocket from the current 950 tons of the Long March 9C to the nearly 4000 tons of the Long March in one step.

After everyone finished their reports, Luo Yuntao, director of the Science and Technology Committee, came out to give a summary.

"As the core power source for my country's future heavy-lift launch vehicles, the YF-177 and YF-90 have received significant attention. However, the project launch period is relatively short, and they still face fundamental engineering challenges such as combustion, fluid dynamics, thermal protection, and control. Solving these problems relies on extensive ground tests, repeated design iterations, and breakthroughs in materials and processes. This is a typical engineering process that requires time and experience."

He paused, his eyes sweeping over every frowning expert present, finally landing on Li Renping:

"Mr. Li, with all due respect, based on our current R&D pace, test resources, and the most optimistic estimate of technological breakthroughs, the timeline for the YF-177 and YF-90 to reach the maturity and reliability required for the Long March 1's maiden flight... will also significantly lag behind the planned launch window for the XS- space reactor..."

Li Renping also knew that what he had just said was true.

But I still feel unwilling:

"If the Long March 9 fails to meet the deadline, the construction of the first phase of the 'Beacon' relay base will likely be forced to adopt a compromise plan - that is, to continue using the Long March 5 series of rockets, breaking the base into smaller modules for batch launches, and then performing more in-orbit assembly..."

In fact, the construction of the International Space Station and China's Tiangong Space Station was also completed with Proton, Soyuz, and space shuttles as the main force.

But low-Earth orbit and Earth-Moon transfer orbit are obviously not the same thing.

Moreover, the functions of the "beacon" compartment are more complex, and many parts cannot be simply split in half.

"The burden left to the Fifth Academy will indeed be much heavier, but the objective conditions..." Luo Yuntao smiled bitterly and shook his head. "In short... unless a technological miracle occurs."

At this point, perhaps to comfort the other party, he added, "The decision-makers are aware of these issues... Just last month, didn't they specifically ask us for some information and data?"

This sentence unexpectedly sparked a discussion.

"Indeed, we had a special conversation with each research lab leader at that time."

"Come to think of it, it seems this kind of thing has never happened before?"

"Indeed...but it seems they didn't tell us what we were going to do..."

"..."

Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door outside the meeting room.

"Please come in."

Li Renping's voice carried a hint of displeasure at being interrupted.

The door was pushed open.

She is Li Renping's scientific research secretary.

After entering, he quickly ran to the small podium:

"Mr. Li, Director Luo, excuse me. We have a few comrades from the Space Administration coming over. They're in the reception room outside."

"Space Agency?"

Li Renping was a little surprised.

Although the National Space Administration is the space management agency in principle, the two parties do not actually have an administrative leadership relationship.

It's rare for someone to come here without prior notice.

"Yes." The secretary nodded. "They also brought a container signed by Director Luan Wenjie of the Construction Committee, saying that you two must sign for it in person."

Li Renping and Luo Yuntao looked at each other.

With Director Luan’s signature, the meaning is completely different.

Although they were full of doubts, they immediately stood up and said, "Let's go and take a look."

In the reception room, three men in matching black suits were already waiting there.

The leader was about forty years old, with a calm face.

Seeing Li Renping and Luo Yuntao come in, he immediately stood up and shook hands politely: "Chief Engineer Li, Director Luo, sorry to bother you. I am Fan Haipeng, Deputy Director of the Coordination Department of the Space Administration."

This is a department that does not have much dealings with the Sixth Hospital.

Even the name Fan Haipeng only seemed familiar to Li Renping.

However, his eyes soon fell on the coffee table in the reception room.

There was a square black box.

The box was not big, about the size of a standard briefcase, with no markings, only a few delicate locks.

There was a folder next to it.

"Director Fan, this is..."

Li Renping pointed at the box and asked directly.

Fan Haipeng picked up the folder and opened it. Inside was a formal receipt document.

Li Renping took it and found that it was written "Technical Data Transfer Form", with Luan Wenjie's signature and the bright red seal of the Industrial Construction Committee below.

"According to Director Luan Wenjie's instructions, we are now transferring to your institute a batch of calculation results, optimization solutions, and related data processing procedures for some key technical issues of the YF-177 liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen engine and the YF-90 liquid oxygen and kerosene engine," Fan Haipeng explained. "All information is sealed in this password box. You two must both sign before it can be received and opened."

"what?"

Extremely surprised, Luo Yuntao instinctively uttered an informal particle.

Li Renping was more composed than him, but he also suspected that he had misheard.

"Technical data for the YF-177 and YF-90? Calculation results?"

They were just troubled by the problems faced by these two models, but now someone suddenly sent them the "calculation results"?

This feels so unreal.

It's like being back in a college classroom.

and……

The National Space Administration is an administrative agency and is not responsible for technical work.

When did you acquire this ability?

The two of them hesitated for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

Fan Haipeng seemed to understand their shock, but he didn't explain. He simply said, "Please don't ask about the specific source of the information for now. It's not mentioned on the receipt. This is disciplinary."

Then he handed a pen to Li Renping:

"If you encounter core algorithms or theoretical foundations that you simply cannot understand while studying these materials, you can compile a written list of questions and report them through confidential channels. The bureau will coordinate with experts in relevant fields to provide a centralized response at an appropriate time."

Li Renping and Luo Yuntao looked at each other again, and saw the doubt in each other's eyes——

It's more like a college class.

Why is there a Q&A session before the exam?

But at the same time, there was an indescribable expectation in the hearts of the two.

Li Renping took a deep breath, took the pen, and solemnly signed his name on the receipt document.

Luo Yuntao followed closely behind.

"Thank you for your cooperation. The instructions for opening the box and the precautions are on the last page of the document."

Fan Haipeng took back the signed documents and signaled his attendant to carefully push the black password box in front of Li Renping and Luo Yuntao:

"Mission accomplished, we'll take our leave."

After saying that, he led his people out of the reception room in a decisive manner, leaving the two hospital leaders staring at each other.

And that mysterious box.