The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

Chapter 444: The Battle for Manned Spaceflight Technology

Liu Tao pondered for a moment.

In terms of China's manned space flight, we are currently in the early stages of preparation and demonstration, and there are two technical routes.

In the past, the Soviet Union and the United States both achieved manned space flight through space shuttles, so the mainstream manned space flight technology at the time was space shuttles.

A spacecraft that flies along the Earth's center orbit is called a satellite spacecraft, which is a disposable spacecraft.

Spacecraft that fly to other celestial bodies are called interstellar spacecraft or expedition spacecraft.

Depending on the transportation target, it is divided into manned spacecraft and cargo spacecraft. The spacecraft that transports personnel is called manned spacecraft, and the spacecraft that transports materials and equipment is called cargo spacecraft.

However, after the United States successfully developed the space shuttle, manned space flight had an additional option, and the space shuttle has become the most advanced technology for manned space flight and the best choice.

The space shuttle is a reusable spacecraft that travels between space, the universe and the ground, combining the properties of an airplane and a spacecraft. It is a manned, reusable spacecraft that can take off vertically like a rocket, run in orbit like a spaceship, and land horizontally like an airplane.

Moreover, a space shuttle can generally carry seven astronauts, including three crew members and four scientific and technological experts.

When operating in orbit, the space shuttle can complete a variety of tasks, such as releasing satellites, recovering and repairing satellites, and conducting various microgravity scientific experiments.

The space shuttle also influenced China's aerospace sector. Many scientists believed that since the United States had successfully developed the space shuttle, it showed that the space shuttle route was feasible and correct. If we want to carry out manned space flight, we naturally want the most advanced, not backward.

The dispute over the manned space technology route began from then on.

Liu Tao hesitated for a moment before saying, "Spacecraft and space shuttles are just tools for transporting people and objects between the Earth and space. There is no essential difference between spacecraft and space shuttle."

"Now the space shuttle will be more suitable for China's manned space flight, but in 20 or 30 years, when the national strength is improved and there is enough funds, we can also develop the space shuttle."

In Liu Tao's eyes, spacecraft and space shuttle are essentially the same, they are nothing more than tools, and he can achieve both with a system.

The biggest difference between the two is the way they return. Spacecraft return to the ground in a ballistic or ballistic-lift hybrid trajectory, while the space shuttle reenters the atmosphere in a lift-based trajectory.

What is ballistic reentry? Simply put, it is like a cannonball falling in an arc under the influence of inertia and gravity. This method is technically simple, but the disadvantage is that the overload is large and the landing point control is very inaccurate, which makes it difficult for the recovery and rescue team.

What is a ballistic-lift hybrid reentry? The flat bottom of the manned spacecraft's reentry capsule reenters the atmosphere at a suitable angle of attack, which can generate a certain amount of lift, just like a stone skipping on water. Although the lift is not large, it is still mainly based on ballistic mechanics rather than aerodynamic lift, but it can more or less control the reentry trajectory, making the landing point more accurate, while at the same time the deceleration overload is relatively small.

Lift-type reentry is the return method of the space shuttle. The advantages of gliding reentry are low overload, accurate landing on the airport runway, and the ability to withstand a large landing weight without being limited by the parachute capacity, and no parachute entanglement and crashing. There is no need to wait for the rescue team's helicopter in the wilderness or in the ocean. The disadvantage is that the technology is very difficult and has high requirements for aerodynamic design, thermal protection materials, flight control, etc.

Liu Tao believes that spacecraft are more suitable for China today, not because the technology is insurmountable, but mainly because of the money issue.

The space shuttle is much more expensive than the space shuttle!
Based on the United States’ experience, a space shuttle launch costs about $4.5 million!
How much funding does China’s entire aerospace system receive per year?

Even if the aerospace system gave all its funding for the space shuttle for a whole year, it would still not be able to afford a single launch.

Not to mention the cost, the cost of a space shuttle is much higher than that of a spacecraft.

Taking the United States as an example, the cost of a single space shuttle is about 30 billion US dollars, which is more than 10 times higher than that of a space shuttle!

China cannot afford a space shuttle right now. Even if Liu Tao builds one, China cannot afford it.

In contrast, space shuttles appear to be of good quality and low price.

A smile appeared on Qian Lao's face. "I feel relieved when you say that."

"After the reform and opening up, our country has developed very fast, and the economy has obviously improved. However, our foundation is still very weak. We scientists must be cautious and not waste money." Qian Lao said, "I heard that you are going to launch a satellite for positioning and navigation?"

"Yes, I named it 'Beidou Satellite', and built the 'Beidou Satellite Navigation System' through multiple satellites to establish a global positioning system." Liu Tao said: "Whether in the military or civilian fields, it will be of great use."

Navigation systems are not given much attention now, but Liu Tao knows how big the market is.

For missiles, precision-guided missiles will have an additional option of satellite navigation guidance in the future, thereby improving the accuracy of precision-guided missiles.

For the military, they can have a clear understanding of the entire battlefield terrain and don't have to worry about getting lost.

For airplanes, route navigation services can be provided through satellite navigation.

For ships, satellite navigation means they don't have to worry about getting lost in the vast ocean.

"If you can achieve this goal, it will be of great benefit to both the country and the world." Old Qian nodded.

Theoretically, it is feasible to provide navigation through satellites and build a global satellite navigation system using multiple satellites.

After looking at the time, Liu Tao said goodbye and left.

Afterwards, he went to visit some people, all of whom were famous scientists. Some of them were already famous throughout the country, while others were currently unknown among ordinary people but had actually made outstanding achievements.

Liu Tao either invited them to serve as deans or professors.

In addition, he went to meet with Wang Yongzhi. In order to let Wang Yongzhi serve as the vice president and professor of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, he first had to seek his consent and then go through the organizational transfer.

Of course, talents like this cannot stay in the college all the time. They all have multiple roles and are very busy.

In addition to visiting these scientists and scholars, Liu Tao also visited Tsinghua University and Peking University. If he wanted to put "Southwest Associated University" on the fast track, he could not do without the help of these two universities.

Although part of the campus may not be completed next year, it does not mean that we will not be able to recruit students through the college entrance examination.

Because the original Yunnan Normal College can be fully utilized.

However, we also need the help and assistance of Tsinghua University, Peking University and other universities to continue our friendship.

When Tsinghua University and Peking University learned that "Southwest Associated University" was going to be rebuilt, they were very surprised. Then, faced with Liu Tao's proposal for cooperation, both Tsinghua University and Peking University gladly accepted it.

Firstly, the connection between the two sides is indeed very deep, and it is a close relationship; secondly, Tsinghua University and Peking University have various collaborations with Panshan Group, and the cooperation between the two sides is very close.

(End of this chapter)