Chapter 1700 Beyond Steam and Flame (Yesterday's)

A few hours later.

Baolongyu rocket engine test area, command center.

Ma Yushan quickly walked up to Li Renping, stood at attention, and reported loudly:

"Reporting to General Manager Li, Engine 011 has been installed on the 920-3 test bench. All mechanical interfaces and piping connections have been confirmed to be correct."

On the large monitoring screen, the huge YF-177 was sitting steadily on the support structure of the No. 920-3 test bench, with its thick nozzle pointing obliquely towards the deep metal guide trough below.

On the surrounding work towers, engineers in work clothes are conducting final inspections and reviews.

Li Renping stood in front of the command desk, his eyes scanning the real-time data on the screen and the surveillance footage from multiple angles, nodding with satisfaction.

"Okay. Follow the procedure and begin the final inspection of each subsystem before ignition."

After saying that, he paused, his tone becoming much more relaxed than before: "Old Ma, your movements... are very smooth."

Ma Yushan smiled slyly and replied proudly:

"To be honest, back when 920-3 was still being finalized, our testing team had already taken the design data and operating manuals for the YF-177 and YF-90 and practiced them numerous times in the simulation system. We even built a wooden model specifically for this purpose... I'll show you that later."

"Furthermore, this new test bench has been deeply optimized, from the control system to the piping layout. Many operating steps are significantly simplified compared to the old bench, which naturally saves preparation time..."

"..."

Li Renping did not respond immediately, but instead looked at a sub-screen next to him that displayed the status of the fuel system.

After a few seconds of silence, the topic suddenly changed: "Lao Ma, take me to see the fuel storage and supply system."

"Fuel system?" Ma Yushan was visibly stunned. "Basic parameters can be seen here in the control center: pressure, temperature, flow rate, liquid level..."

"I know," Li Renping interrupted him, his tone calm but undeniable. "But I still want to see the data from the district terminal myself. It's more intuitive."

He said he "wanted to go and take a look", but when the leader spoke, it was obviously not a request but a demand.

Therefore, although Ma Yushan was a little surprised, he immediately responded, "Okay, Mr. Li, I'll arrange it right away... However, the fuel pipe area is underground at the other end of the test area, and you'll need to change into protective clothing."

Li Renping waved his hand to indicate that he understood.

Ma Yushan immediately turned around and prepared to lead the way.

More than ten minutes later, the group arrived at an inconspicuous building deep in the test area, passed through a strict access control system, and then entered the changing area to change into special flame-retardant and anti-static protective clothing and helmets.

The lights in the underground passage were a slightly cold white, and the air was filled with a faint smell of metal and insulating materials.

Opening the heavy airtight door, you will reach the center of the fuel pipe area of ​​the Baolongyu test area.

The function here is a bit like the engine room of a modern ship——

Although the control center can directly operate the fuel system connected to each test bench, the terminal in the area can still see more detailed and direct data. It also has the functions of backup operation and emergency response. Therefore, there is always a team on duty here.

At the central control console, several engineers on duty were staring at the screen intently.

Seeing Li Renping, Ma Yushan and others come in, the duty team leader immediately stood up:

"Mr. Li! Director Ma!"

Li Renping raised his hand and pressed it down: "You guys go about your business, work normally."

Then he walked to the central console and stared at the flashing data streams and complex system diagrams.

Seeing this, Ma Yushan quickly stepped forward to introduce:

"The fuel system used with the 920-3 test bench was also newly designed and built. It can use the freeze-thaw method to further cool liquid hydrogen from its standard boiling point to the triple point, thereby slurrying the hydrogen propellant into 'hydrogen slurry'."

Li Renping certainly knew this.

In fact, this was exactly why he had asked to come.

YF177 was the first time that China used slurry hydrogen as fuel, and both the Sixth Academy and Baolongyu had previously lacked experience in this area.

His eyes finally locked onto the real-time liquid hydrogen tank data displayed on the screen.

The temperature reading was 13.15K, far below the standard boiling point of liquid hydrogen of 20.28K, and even slightly lower than the triple point.

The capacitance value next to it is shown as 45.93079pF.

This is one of the key parameters for measuring solid hydrogen content by precision capacitance method.

There are several other dynamic indicators on the screen:

Specific polarizability: 1.00536

Solid hydrogen content: 36.8%

Density: 0.085g/cm²

Sensible cooling capacity: 58.3W

……

Fully meets the fuel requirements of YF177.

But this is in storage state.

Since the test run phase had not yet begun, the fuel delivery system had not started working.

Li Renping frowned slightly and continued to ask:

"The fuel supply pipeline at Baolongyu is longer than that used in actual rockets, and the temperature of the hydrogen slurry is significantly lower than that of ordinary liquid hydrogen. Will this affect the properties of the fuel during transportation?"

Ma Yushan pointed to several special node icons on the system diagram:

"That's why we're building a new system instead of improving the old one... During the design phase of the entire fuel supply system, we received technical support from the Institute of Cryogenics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Torch Laboratory."

He enlarged the part just mentioned and explained further:

"We have installed two sets of 'double-jet atomizers' on the main delivery pipeline leading to the combustion chamber of the 920-3 test bench. This ensures that the hydrogen fuel remains in a supercooled slurry state when entering the combustion chamber, maximally recreating the actual conditions on the Long March rocket."

He does not mean that.

"Torch Lab?" Li Renping's attention was immediately drawn away. He turned to look at Ma Yushan, "Have you also had contact with the Torch Lab?"

"Yes." Ma Yushan hadn't figured out what the "also" in the other party's question meant at this point, so he simply nodded affirmatively. "And it was directly coordinated and arranged by our superiors."

"The solution they provided, including the design of the atomization system, was highly complete and meticulously considered from the start. I believe it must have been the result of extensive research and field verification over a long period of time... We must acknowledge that strong technical support was a key factor in the rapid acquisition of hydrogen slurry testing capabilities on the 920-3 test bench."

Li Renping remembered that he seemed to have mentioned the test bench to Chang Haonan during the previous technical seminar.

It seems that the other party took special care of it after returning.

And it really produced results.

"This is outrageous..."

He muttered half in shock, half in admiration.

But on second thought, it seems reasonable.

Hydrogen slurry has a higher density and viscosity than conventional liquid hydrogen, and is a typical continuous phase turbulence, which is right within Academician Chang's comfort zone for solving problems.

"Uh...what did you say?"

Ma Yushan thought the other party was talking to him.

Li Renping waved his hand: "Nothing... Let's go back."

When he realized that Baolongyu had also received help from Chang Haonan's research results like himself, the heavy stone in his heart suddenly fell to the ground.

……

When the group took off their heavy protective clothing and returned to the ground command center, the large screen showed that the pre-test inspection of the No. 011 YF-177 engine had entered the final stage, and the green "OK" signs of various subsystems continued to light up.

The resonant voice of on-site commander Xie Fushou rang out through the PA system:

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, Director Ma, all subsystems of the No. 011 YF-177 engine have been inspected and are in normal condition! Nearby personnel have been evacuated! The test bench is ready for ignition!"

Ma Yushan looked at Li Renping.

The latter's eyes swept across all the key parameter screens, finally stopping at the main screen of engine monitoring:

"Perform the test procedure according to the predetermined plan."

……

At the same time, thousands of kilometers away, the Wenchang Space Launch Center.

Under the 101 launch tower, the launch process of the Long March 30C Yao- carrier rocket has entered the countdown to minus minutes.

"Attention everyone, I'm Number 0, open the tower's rotating platform!"

Commander No. 0's commands were clearly transmitted to all posts through the launch site broadcasting system.

The huge steel structure emitted a dull and powerful mechanical operation sound, and the multi-layer rotating work platforms that originally surrounded the rocket body began to slowly rotate outward and separate one by one.

Like a petal made of steel.

The thick and majestic arrow body gradually emerged. Under the strong light of the searchlight, wisps of white low-temperature mist filled the area around the arrow body, adding a sense of solemnity and power.

High-resolution cameras transmitted this scene clearly back to the large screen in the launch control center.

The atmosphere in the control hall was tense yet orderly.

Commands and status reports from commanders of various systems came one after another.

Hu Shouzhi stood behind the payload control console, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes fixed on the data area on the screen that specifically displayed the status of the XS-1 space nuclear reactor.

"What's the status of the payload? Also, are there any signs of damage to the rocket itself?"

This was his fourth time asking this question tonight.

Fortunately, the engineer in charge of load monitoring didn't have any other tasks at the moment and responded patiently:

"General Hu, the XS-1 reactor core has been confirmed to be in a deep subcritical state. All self-check parameters are normal and radiation levels are maintained at extremely low background values. The radiation sensors on the rocket body and upper stage are showing no abnormalities, and no elevated radiation dose caused by the XS-1 has been detected."

Chang Haonan was sitting on a chair next to Hu Shouzhi at this moment, and noticed the latter's nervousness.

He leaned slightly to the side and spoke in a casual manner:

"Old Hu, the XS-1's outer shielding structure has been rigorously designed and ground-tested. Academician Peng and I have repeatedly calculated the fuel loading, shielding thickness, and material selection. In the non-activated state, its radiation impact on the rocket body is minimal, so there's no need to worry too much."

He raised his hand and pointed to the launch process in progress on the big screen. "Now, getting the rocket up safely is the main task of the space launch team."

In fact, Chang Haonan originally wanted to take a walk around the tower before the launch.

But such "dangerous" behavior was naturally stopped by Peng Juexian and the guards.

In fact, he had also applied to his superiors on the grounds that "technical personnel should go deep into the front line to understand the actual situation", hoping to lift the restrictions on himself.

However, the reply from the superiors was——

After discussion, it was determined that the reasons for Comrade Chang Haonan's application were indeed reasonable, but it could not be approved.

It makes people's minds full of questions.

In short, no matter what, Chang Haonan can only appear in this location far away from the launch area where absolute safety can be guaranteed.

Peng Juexian, sitting in another chair, nodded in agreement. "Mr. Chang is right. The real test for our nuclear reactor team will come after it's launched... For now, let's hand the stage over to our colleagues in the aerospace system."

Hu Shouzhi took a deep breath and realized that he was indeed a little "confused because of worrying too much".

In order to calm down, he took the initiative to change the subject:

"By the way, General Chang, General Peng, we just received the latest analysis report from the Space Weather Center this afternoon. Monitoring data shows signs of accelerating solar activity. Preliminary estimates suggest this solar storm may erupt one to two days earlier than previously predicted. However, this is still within our mission window and will not affect the original launch plan."

Upon hearing this, Chang Haonan immediately looked at the huge electronic clock and date display next to the big screen.

He did some mental calculations and said decisively, "If the peak of the solar storm arrives earlier, it would actually be a boon to the XS-1 startup... Perhaps we can adjust our plans and start the reactor while the XS-1 is undergoing orbital transfer. By utilizing the stronger cosmic ray background, the time it takes for the core to reach rated power will be significantly shortened."

Peng Juexian also agreed: "The reactor itself and the propulsion system responsible for orbital maneuvers are physically isolated and operate independently. At least in theory, the position and posture of the reactor in orbit will not have any impact on the startup process."

Seeing that the two technical leaders agreed, Hu Shouzhi immediately followed suit: "Then I will immediately coordinate with the launch team to adjust the schedule for the XS-1 in-orbit launch!"

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked quickly towards the planning and liaison area behind the control center.

Chang Haonan and Peng Juexian also stood up and prepared to move to the viewing area at the back with a wider view.

Time flew by in the tense silence.

10 minutes…

5 minutes…

1 minutes…

The launch window was getting closer and closer, and the hall was filled with concise and powerful "normal" reports from various systems.

The voice of Commander 0 moved the hearts of countless people:

“…5, 4, 3, 2, 1…”

"ignition!"

As the launch button was pressed, an earth-shaking roar erupted from the bottom of the Long March 5C rocket!

A torrent of orange flames shot violently into the diversion channel, stirring up huge waves of churning white water vapor.

The nearly 900-ton steel arrow climbed upwards with a deafening roar, like a giant that had broken free from the shackles of the earth. It climbed up slowly at first, then steadily.

The orange-red tail flame drew an extremely magnificent light trail in the darkening night sky, piercing the sky.

At this highly anticipated launch moment, a young technician quickly entered the viewing area from the side door, then walked straight to Chang Haonan, leaned over and whispered a few words, with excitement on his face.

Chang Haonan listened calmly, a smile flashing in his eyes.

He tilted his head slightly and explained to Peng Juexian who was looking at him curiously:

"Old Peng, just heard from Baolongyu: The YF-177 engine successfully ignited in its first full-scale, long-range hot test. The parameters remained stable throughout the entire process, meeting the expected targets."

Peng Juexian turned his head abruptly, his eyes gleaming with surprise, and slapped the armrest of the chair hard:

"it is good!!"

"Today, double happiness comes!!"

At this moment, the rocket that had just taken off happened to pass through a crescent moon in the sky.

The white trail left by the gas jet passed through the center.

Just like "being able to draw a bow as big as the full moon".

Chang Haonan sat up straight again and looked at the scene in front of him through the footage captured by the camera.

He knew that this technological spark, which spanned fission and fusion and connected the earth and the starry sky, would eventually illuminate the next step of human civilization in the eternal game between chaos and order.

And on the energy tree of human civilization, new buds that surpass steam and flames are about to bloom.