Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 253 Top Foreign Aid
"Regarding laxatives, there are many answers, and everyone has given a lot of feedback."

There were various answers, from professional perspectives and business perspectives.

Everyone says this is a difficult task. Apollo Technology must have new simulation methods, and as a master in the field of number theory, Ran Shen must also have his own set of methods in the field of numerical computation.

After all, he worked on graph AI before becoming a master of number theory.

It is precisely because of this unique numerical calculation method that we can achieve a successful launch on the first attempt without needing extensive real-world verification.

Other answers also compared the Burning-1 rocket with rockets made by other private companies, and the size difference between the two was very obvious.

But it will take them more than two years, while Burning One only takes six months.

It uses mature engines. Combustion-1 not only has a large payload capacity, but also adopts a relatively advanced technology of multiple engines in parallel.

As a veteran in the aerospace field, having worked in it for over a decade, I'd like to share my professional perspective on just how difficult this is.

When discussing the Burning-1 rocket, it's inevitable to compare it with the Long March 2F.

The Long March 2F rocket also has a payload capacity of 8.8 tons to low Earth orbit, which is similar to the 8 tons of the Burning 1 rocket.

The engine used is the YF-100, while Combustion One uses the YF-102, but they are essentially the same.

The Long March 2F project was initiated at the end of 1992. It was transported to Jiuquan in 1998. That's right, it was also in Jiuquan that it was integrated with the ground equipment and launch site for joint testing. It was successfully launched in 1999.

But this is on the premise that it has been thoroughly tested on the ground, enough tests.

Combustion One obviously didn't have that, because there wasn't enough time—only six months. If you want to test a wind tunnel, you have to wait in line. For private companies, the wait to get into a wind tunnel is at least six months.

It's worth noting that Combustion One has a total of seven engines connected in parallel on its first stage, which is only one less than the Falcon 7's first stage.

The entire design is extremely complex. From a professional perspective, the technical difficulty increases exponentially when more than four engines of the same class are connected in parallel.

When more than four engines are connected in parallel at the same stage, ensuring that all engines ignite simultaneously and maintain a consistent thrust output becomes the primary challenge.

Engine ignition delays or inconsistent thrust output can cause rockets to deviate from their intended trajectory, leading to catastrophic consequences.

The Russian N1 rocket uses 30 NK-15 engines in parallel, but due to the inability to conduct static ignition tests, engine synchronization problems have led to multiple launch failures.

Specifically, the ignition process requires precise control of each engine's spark plugs, valves, and fuel injection system.

With more than four engines, the system complexity increases exponentially, and the control system needs to monitor the status of each engine in real time and make dynamic adjustments through thrust vector control.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 uses nine Merlin engines, and its fault-tolerant design ensures that even if one engine fails, the remaining engines can compensate for the thrust loss by extending their burn time.

However, this design requires highly complex flight computers and software, increasing the difficulty of development.

Even worse, when multiple engines operate in parallel, each engine generates vibrations. These vibrations can resonate at specific frequencies, threatening the rocket's structural integrity. Studies have shown that the superposition effect of vibration frequencies is significantly enhanced when there are more than four engines, potentially leading to structural fatigue or failure.

Cluster rocket engines exhibit dynamic interactions during startup, and asynchronous startup is likely to lead to severe nonlinear transients and thrust imbalance.

For details, you can refer to the latest research findings from Moscow, titled "Dynamic interaction between clustered liquid propellant rocket engines under their asynchronous start-ups".

Of course, the YF-102's thrust is not as good as the Merlin engine of the Falcon 9, which has its advantages in this situation. The advantage is that the resonance problem is more pronounced under high thrust, which needs to be mitigated through precise structural design and damping system.

SpaceX used advanced vibration isolation technologies and materials on the Falcon 9 to reduce the impact of vibrations on the rocket body.

As the number of engines increases, the complexity of vibration modes grows exponentially, leading to higher design and testing costs.

The Combustion One has one less engine than the Falcon 9, and the YF-102 has less thrust, making it much easier to develop.

When multiple engines are connected in parallel, the bottom of the rocket will face a more severe thermal environment, requiring a stronger thermal protection system.

The interaction of exhaust plumes from cluster engines can lead to a significant increase in the thermal load on the base region. For example, the heat generated by the 30 engines of the N1 rocket during startup can cause the base structure to overheat, increasing the risk of failure.

Furthermore, the increased weight and size of more engines require a more robust structural design.

In summary, the technical difficulty increases exponentially when more than four engines of the same class are connected in parallel, mainly due to the exponential increase in synchronous control, vibration resonance, complex piping systems, control system complexity, thermal management, and testing and verification.

While multi-engine designs offer redundancy and fault tolerance, managing these challenges requires a high degree of engineering innovation and resource investment.

In the past, we always said that China didn't have its own SpaceX, but now, with the Apollo program led by Burning God creating Burning One, I see hope that China can produce something comparable to SpaceX.

"The laxative is incredibly powerful. According to the rumors I've heard, all the investment institutions in China that have invested in private aerospace companies are working overtime these days, and everyone is in a panic."

The fact that Apollo Technologies had mastered the multi-engine parallel medium rocket was a major blow to them.

The Burning-1 rocket was completed in six months, and the entire process from design to manufacturing and successful orbit insertion was completed in six months. Let's not even talk about whether the new simulation method that everyone is speculating about actually exists.

I estimate that there is, and it is a major threat. Others can achieve the same effect as your real-world ground ignition test through numerical simulation. How much cost can they save?

How much can development efficiency be improved?

How reusable is it?

Just thinking about it is enough to make investors who have invested in private aerospace institutions tremble, because others use IBM computers while you use an abacus and pen and paper. The difference in efficiency is too great, and it is almost a battle that cannot be won.

Unless Apollo Technologies doesn't intend to make reusable rockets.

But is that possible? They've already mentioned that the purpose of this design is to build reusable rockets, which is why boosters aren't needed.

Furthermore, even without such a method, even if we are lucky...

Those six months were fortunate enough to complete the design and production, which fully demonstrated the formidable fighting power of the Apollo Technology team under the leadership of Ran Shen.

It is unmatched by other private aerospace organizations.

As far as I know, everyone is trying to poach talent, since Apollo Technology probably hasn't signed many non-compete agreements.

Startup teams don't have the money to sign non-compete agreements, so they'll dig wherever they can. As long as they keep digging, there's no corner they can't dig.

As far as I know, the investment institutions are either demanding to withdraw their investment or quitting the game.

After all, defeating Apollo Technology is quite difficult.

Either you sign a performance-based agreement, which requires you to develop a reusable rocket before Apollo Technologies. If you fail, the company has to buy back the shares held by investors with interest.

So now these founders are facing a dilemma; whether investors choose A or B, it will be a bolt from the blue for them.

The former means immediate death, the latter means delayed death.

Then poaching talent is another significant expense, since poaching someone when their morale is high is not an easy task.

It's like trying to poach the core R&D team of the Long March rockets; they're already established and working on core business, so it's not that easy to poach them.

In short, as the old saying goes, "When a whale falls, all things come to life," but the current situation in China's private aerospace sector is "When a whale rises, all things perish."

The controversy is raging in real life, and the discussion on the internet is becoming increasingly heated.

The Shanghai Education Bureau holds routine meetings, which are chaired by the vice mayor in charge of education.

Lin Zhongqing was extremely smug, and lately he seemed to have gained even more confidence.

During a break in the meeting, Jin Li, the president of Fudan University, who was sitting next to Lin Zhongqing, whispered:
"Old Lin, all universities in Shanghai are one family."

"Wait, Shanghai universities are all one family? I've never heard of that!" Lin Zhongqing's internal alarm bells went off immediately upon hearing this. "Aren't we fiercely arguing about who is Shanghai's Top 1 and China's Top 3?"

Jin Li continued, "Domestic private aerospace companies are all concentrated in Yanjing, and Shenhai didn't have any before."

For students majoring in aerospace or those in STEM fields who are interested in aerospace, having to travel to Beijing or Chang'an for internships is actually quite inconvenient.

Apollo Technologies has recently achieved a major breakthrough in rocket development, which is great news! It's wonderful for students at Shenhai University who are dedicated to developing their careers in the aerospace field!

Lin Zhongqing knew what he wanted to say, but he didn't completely agree with him: "It's a good thing, but it's not in Shanghai, it's in Kunshan."

Jin Li waved his hand: "Hey, Kunshan is also part of Shenhai!"

Lin Zhongqing found it hard to believe that the president of Fudan University could say something like "Kunshan is like Shanghai."

"That's true. There's a direct subway line, so it definitely falls within the greater Shenhai area," Lin Zhongqing said.

"So shouldn't this kind of opportunity also be shared with students from other universities?" Jin Li revealed his true intentions.

Lin Zhongqing nodded and said, "Of course, we are talking with Shenhai Second Polytechnic University. Many of their students are willing to work in the workshops as workers."

We are short of factory workers, and we would welcome students from Fudan University who are willing to work there!

Jinli was speechless. "I'm going to send Fudan University students to work as laborers in your area. Fudan students will probably be shouting for Jinli to get lost on social media."

This is similar to how Zhejiang University's president spoke out on the internet because he came from Northeast China.

What level is Shenhai Second Industrial High School? What level is Fudan University? Can they be compared?

"Old Lin, it's like this, I think our students are still a bit better than the students from the Second Industrial School."

It's not that being a factory worker is bad, but rather that doing more technically demanding jobs allows us students to better realize our potential.

We are both from universities in Shanghai, so we should help each other!

Before Lin Zhongqing could speak after Jin Li finished speaking, Chen Jie, the president of Tongji University, said quietly, "What about us?"

We also need some internship positions.

Jinli said, "Look, Tongji University students are very suitable for working in the workshop. They can even do a job like dust removal very well. They will definitely do a better job than the students from the Second Engineering Department in the workshop!"

Our students are better suited to more challenging tasks.

Chen Jie glanced at Jin Li, not wanting to continue the conversation.

As for why the president of Shenhai Second Polytechnic University, who is at the bottom of the food chain in their conversation, didn't refute it.

Because he was sitting in the back, he couldn't hear the conversation between the top three universities in Shanghai: Jiaotong University, Fudan University, and Tongji University.

"I'll think about it," Lin Zhongqing said. "After all, Apollo Technology isn't a university-enterprise partnership with Shenhai."

I need to discuss this with Professor Lin.

I must take into account the actual situation of the school and the company.

The company is still in the development stage and has limited resources. We need to ensure the quality and quantity of internships for our students.

If we open it up to other schools, it might affect the opportunities for our students.

There are virtually no workers like factory workers; anyone can come, but it takes at least three months to get one.

"If you're willing, I can agree to it right now."

He didn't want to agree at all and planned to stall. But to his surprise, Chen Jie said, "Tongji University will do it!"

Jinli was dumbfounded: "No, Lao Chen, you guys do all this?"
I saw on Douyin that they weren't wrong!

Chen Jie knew what Jin Li's subtext was, and he also knew what Douyin was. The other party forwarded a short video to him on WeChat, which mocked Tongji University students, saying that Tongji University was founded on civil engineering and that students were born to be oxen and horses.

“Tongji University is willing,” he emphasized again.

After all, in his view, working as a factory worker is also a resume. It may not be respectable, but wouldn't it be even less respectable for a civil engineer to work for China Construction?
Who says working on the factory floor is necessarily bad?

It’s better to have it than not to have it.

Lin Zhongqing glanced at him and nodded, saying, "Old Chen, okay, no problem."

Jinli quickly asked, "What about us?"

Lin Zhongqing insisted, "I'll go back and discuss it."

That is, now, in six months, manned spaceflight and space docking will both be achieved.

There are no more openings for Fudan University students who want to work in the factory.

There's absolutely no need for interns anymore.

None of this could stop Lin Ran from continuing to push forward with his work.

Launching Burning-1 is just the beginning.

It's only just begun.

"Oh, Professor, you're here. Please have a seat."

I have good news for you.

After Shenhai Science & Technology Investment Group invested in Apollo Technology, Song Nanping was transferred from the head of the investment department of Shenhai Science & Technology Investment Group to serve as CEO of Apollo Technology, responsible for daily management.

Lin Ran is the chairman and chief technology officer.

Lin Ran admired the other party because the other party was very disciplined in doing things and managed the company in an orderly manner.

The entire structure, personnel, and finances were very well organized under Song Nanping's leadership.

This is essential for a company with a swarm structure.

Lin Ran sees himself as the queen bee, while Song Nanping is the hive that keeps the swarm in order, much like his NASA assistant, Hugh Dryden.

"Old Song, what's the good news?" Lin Ran asked.

"China's aerospace industry has responded; they are willing to approve the F-1 and J-1 projects," Song Nanping said.

Lin Ran nodded. "This is good news. In that case, I will have very little time to spend in Shenhai. I must supervise the manufacturing of these two engines on-site."

Old Song, you'll have to put in a lot of effort on the Shenhai side.

The engine is of paramount importance.

In particular, the replica of the Saturn V, despite being a replica, only has 5 F-1 rockets connected in parallel.

But this is the Saturn V after all, with a single engine generating a sea-level thrust of 150 million pounds, or about 680.39 tons.

What is this concept.

With five engines operating in parallel, if even one engine isn't functioning properly, the imbalance in the firepower of the five engines can easily cause problems.

Moreover, the replication process in China involves many key technical aspects that require Lin Ran's personal supervision on-site.

This was something they had agreed upon beforehand. Song Nanping nodded: "President Lin, I will help you manage things here."

Lin Ran said, "This includes controlling the progress of some tasks, such as online meetings."

Now that the company has money in its accounts, we should transfer outsourced employees to full-time employees as appropriate, and we don't need to save money on these expenses.

For students who perform well during their internships, reservations can be made in advance.

In the long run, we need to develop into a company with tens of thousands of employees, so we need to select promising talents now.

Besides, you know my requirements.

Song Nanping said, "Of course I know that execution is the most important thing."

That's how bee colonies work.

Lin Ran said, "Then I'm relieved."

Song Nanping continued, "President Lin, there's one last thing: someone wants to see you."

You'd better prepare in advance. We're leaving at five o'clock, and you'll need to have dinner with him.

A car will be waiting for you downstairs at 5 o'clock sharp.

Song Nanping didn't ask if you were going or not; his tone was very polite, but the message was clear: you couldn't refuse.

Lin Ran roughly guessed who it was.

Within the territory of Shanghai.

In other words, Washington's power comes from its position. Once you're no longer in that position, you have to go into business to make money. This is what's known as the revolving door between politics and business.

But Yanjing was different.

The power in Yanjing comes from the people.

As long as a person is alive, even if they hold no official position, their power is unmatched by those who do.

"Okay, I understand." Lin Ran nodded.

Song Nanping continued, "President Lin, if you perform well in this interview, we can avoid a lot of trouble later."

Lin Ran grinned: "I know, did someone ask us to hand over our simulation methods?"

Song Nanping hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Lin Ran waved his hand, "Okay, I got it, you can go ahead and get busy."

Lin Ran is an old Shenhai.

He wasn't originally from Shanghai, but he spent four years of his university years there and had been to many places in Shanghai.

He naturally knew the famous Hengshan Hotel, which was right next to Hengshan Park, and Fudan University's Fenglin Campus was just one street away.

The best hospitals in Shanghai are Huashan, Huadong, and Zhongshan Hospitals, which are all very close by.

But he had never known before that this place actually had a courtyard, which looked like part of the Hengshan Hotel from the outside, but had its own separate entrance and exit.

It has a sense of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle.

"Professor Lin, you are indeed young and promising. I have heard of you. I watched the whole live broadcast of your successful rocket launch. You managed to connect multiple engines in parallel in just six months. That's amazing!"

I'm very happy to hear your story in person.

The other person's voice was very soft, but Lin Ran could still hear the excitement in their voice.

"From a technical point of view, it's not difficult; it's just seven engines."

America's starships have 33 Merlin engines running in parallel; we're barely at that level yet.

Lin Ran remained calm and showed no excitement whatsoever.

After all, who hasn't seen that in the 60s?

When we see a celebrity nowadays, all we feel is a sense of awe, like, "Oh, it's him," and that's it.

"After all, the resonance of multiple engines in parallel has always been a major problem."

When they reported to me back then, they said that the V1 missile used attenuation to reduce vibration, and that active vibration reduction technology was developed to reduce weight.

Active damping involves installing a short-pitch piston with a two-way action on the connecting rod of the rocket engine. By rotating a valve, hydraulic pressure is alternately applied to both ends of the piston. The magnitude of the hydraulic pressure is controlled by a pressure regulating mechanism. The resulting force has the same frequency as the engine's vibration but is out of phase, thus achieving the purpose of damping.

They said our missiles also need to develop similar technology.

The other party was in good spirits, especially when discussing technical details, and could readily recall reports he had heard many years ago.

Lin Ran nodded and said, "You're right."

When multiple rocket engines are connected in parallel, if the vibration frequency and phase of the adjacent engines are the same, the vibration damping system becomes the source of vibration for the adjacent engine.

To minimize the impact between engines, a certain distance must be maintained.

The American Saturn V rocket used an outward-moving engine design to increase the spacing between its engines.

The N1 rocket's first stage also uses a design that is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom to ensure sufficient distance between the inner and outer engines; however, the adjacent engines are still very close together.

However, we are not yet dealing with the issue of using active damping to avoid resonance.

The structural design is sufficient for the current stage.

The other party discussed technical issues with him at length with great interest.

Then he asked, "Professor Lin, are you really able to complete the moon landing this year?"
This is the thing I care about most as an old man.

Lin Ran nodded: "I think we can."

We will complete our first manned spaceflight in July this year and our first airborne handshake in August.

The probe will be launched into space in September and is expected to land on the moon in December.

Lin Ran pointed to the calendar hanging on the wall and said.

Finally he said:
Whether or not it is possible depends on many factors.

But I am absolutely certain.

(End of this chapter)