The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

Chapter 443 I Recommend a Candidate

"You're here, and you brought things with you. It's a waste of money, a waste of money." Old Qian waved his hand and said, "This is against discipline. It's not good for you, and it's not good for me. If people see it, it will inevitably lead to gossip and cause controversy."

Liu Tao smiled and said, "A gentleman is open and honest, while a villain is always worried. I am a junior and I come to visit my seniors. It is etiquette to bring some tea and fruits. Whoever wants to say or discuss anything is up to them."

He never paid any attention to such rumors, nor did he take them to heart.

The days of the past when people would exaggerate things and make arbitrary accusations are gone forever.

After chatting for a while, Liu Tao got straight to the point and explained his purpose.

This time he came, but he wanted to invite Mr. Qian to be the dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, even if it was just an honorary dean.

In order to raise the reputation and build the foundation of Southwest Associated University, Liu Tao had already made up his mind that the dean of each college would be a famous scientist.

When Mr. Qian heard about the plan to rebuild "Southwest Associated University", he immediately became interested.

"If you think my old bones can still shine and have value, then I can agree. But you know my situation, I can't stay in school for a long time."

Liu Tao smiled and said, "Mr. Qian, you are too modest. You are still in good health and will surely live a long life."

"I am already 74 years old. I have to admit that I am old and my energy is limited. As the dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Southwest Associated University, I would like to recommend someone to you," said Mr. Qian.

Liu Tao asked curiously, "Mr. Qian, who do you recommend?"

"Wang Yongzhi is the current president of the First Research Institute of China Aerospace Corporation." Mr. Qian said, "Wang Yongzhi is 53 years old this year. He has both the ability and experience. He is in his prime. He graduated from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 1955, he went to the Moscow Aviation Institute to study aircraft design. Later, he changed to rocket and missile design. In 1960, under the guidance of Soviet Academician Mishin, he chose intercontinental missile design for his graduation thesis. He passed the defense with excellent results and was awarded the Outstanding Student Graduation Diploma and the title of Engineer."

"After graduation, he returned to China to devote himself to the design and development of our first self-designed rocket. He participated in the design and development of many rockets, served as deputy chief designer of intercontinental rockets, chief designer of three rockets, and was one of the main advocates and chief commander of the development of the Long March 2 strapped carrier rocket." Qian said: "He established a tracking research group in the first design department with the space shuttle as the main object, and is making preliminary preparations for manned space flight."

Qian's introduction finally made Liu Tao remember this scientist.

This is the pioneer of China's manned space program and an astronaut recommended by Mr. Qian himself.

In his later years, when the Shenzhou V manned spacecraft successfully returned to Earth, the Space Administration personally went to tell Qian the good news. Qian thought of two people: Is Wang Yongzhi still alive? Is Chen Xin from the Institute of Medical Sciences still alive?

"Then, Mr. Qian, you can serve as the dean for a few years first, and then be named honorary president of 'Southwest Associated University'. Let Wang Yongzhi serve as the vice dean and take over from you later." Liu Tao said.

Mr. Qian agreed.

"I heard before that you were going to develop a launch vehicle and a satellite. Are you working on it now?" asked Mr. Qian.

"We will do it next. Our launch vehicle cannot meet the requirements now. Our Panshan Group wants to launch a heavier satellite, so the carrying capacity must reach at least 5 tons." Liu Tao said: "The development of aerospace is crucial to the launch vehicle."

"In the past, our conditions were limited and our processing capabilities were not good enough. Your Panshan Group has the world's most advanced processing equipment, which can solve this problem," said Mr. Qian.

As a scientific giant and a national treasure-level scientist, the development of science and technology in China is no secret to Qian.

As long as he wants to know, he has enough authority to check. China now has three launch vehicles, namely Long March 1, Long March 2, and Long March 3.

The Long March 81.5 carrier rocket is a three-stage carrier rocket developed to launch my country's first artificial satellite, Dongfanghong 1019. It has a takeoff mass of 0.3 tons, a takeoff thrust of kN and a carrying capacity of tons.

It can be said that the Long March 1 carrier rocket is only suitable for launching small artificial satellites.

The Long March 2.25 carrier rocket is a large two-stage bundled carrier rocket. Four boosters with a diameter of 15 meters and a height of 460 meters are bundled on the outside of its first stage. The entire rocket has a takeoff mass of 49.7 tons and a total height of 1.8 meters. Its low-Earth orbit carrying capacity is tons. Previously, recoverable satellites were sent into the predetermined orbit by the Long March carrier rocket.

The Long March 44.56 carrier rocket is a three-stage carrier rocket based on the Long March 202C with a hydrogen-oxygen third stage. It has a total length of 2800 meters, a takeoff mass of 1.45 tons, a takeoff thrust of kN and a carrying capacity of tons. It was launched for the first time last year. The Dongfanghong- satellite failed to enter orbit because the third-stage engine did not work properly after the second ignition. Only communication experiments were carried out.

The Beidou navigation satellite that Liu Tao wants to develop weighs about 5 tons, which exceeds the carrying capacity of the current three launch vehicles.

"If you can develop a launch vehicle with such a large carrying capacity, then our manned space program can take a big step forward!" said Mr. Qian.

As early as the early 70s, after China's first artificial satellite Dongfanghong-714 was launched into space, Qian Xuesen, then president of the Fifth Academy of the Ministry of National Defense, proposed that China should engage in manned space flight. The country named this project the "1971" project, which means it was proposed in April 4, and named the spacecraft "Shuguang-".

Then, after working on it for a period of time, China felt that there were certain difficulties in carrying out manned space flight, whether in terms of research and development team, experience, comprehensive national strength, or industrial foundation, so the project was put aside.

It did not mean that China had permanently given up the dream of manned space flight. Instead, it had been exploring step by step. For example, in 1975, it successfully launched and recovered the first recoverable satellite, making China the third country in the world after the United States and the Soviet Union to master satellite recovery technology.

This laid a solid foundation for China to conduct research on manned space technology.

However, it is obvious that Mr. Qian also believes that the current situation of launch vehicles is not enough to achieve manned space flight.

"What do you think about manned space flight? Is the manned spacecraft suitable for us, or is the space shuttle suitable for us?" Mr. Qian looked at Liu Tao.

Liu Tao was able to develop advanced 'Eagle Strike' anti-ship missiles and 'Aegis' air defense missile systems, which means that Liu Tao is also very skilled in aerospace.

Rockets and missiles are, after all, the same thing.

He wanted to hear Liu Tao's opinion.

He used to be the chief scientist of China, but when he got old, he was worried that there would be no successor. However, Liu Tao rose quickly and soon took over his position and became the chief scientist of China.

As the chief scientist, he has a significant influence on the development of science and technology in China, and often directly affects the future development direction and speed of China's science and technology.

If the direction is right, China's science and technology will develop rapidly and will benefit the country and the people.

If you go in the wrong direction, you will pay a terrible price.

The development of science and technology is not afraid of tactical failures, but strategic failures.

(End of this chapter)