Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 540 Where Should Manned Spaceflight Proceed?

In the field of aerospace, the United States and the Soviet Union were in the first tier, while the others were in the second tier.

One of the most important hallmarks of this is manned spaceflight.

As early as the 1950s and 60s, after the successful launch of artificial satellites, the two giants, the United States and the Soviet Union, began to actively develop manned spaceflight.

The Soviet Union, in particular, began its Vostok manned spaceflight program in the late 1950s. By 1961, the first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, had already entered space aboard the Vostok 1 manned spacecraft and returned safely.

After that, the Russians developed two more generations of spacecraft, and now the Soyuz is a very reliable means of transportation between Earth and space.

Moreover, the Russians have begun building a space station, which allows for long-term stays in space.

Not to be outdone, the Americans developed the Space Shuttle after Mercury and Apollo. Its biggest feature was that it could carry seven astronauts at a time and could be reused multiple times.

Let's look at ourselves again.

Back then, China also had a manned space program. In the 1970s, the Dawn Manned Space Program, codenamed 714, was proposed. At that time, even the selection of astronauts began. However, due to economic constraints, the program was forced to terminate in 1972.

Thus, it wasn't until 92 that the country restarted its manned space program.

The 1990s was a special period. People in the aerospace industry at that time faced a dilemma. After all, geostationary satellites had been launched, and it seemed that there were no more urgent projects in the aerospace system. If there were no new projects, then people in the aerospace industry would have nothing to do.

So, after some discussion, everyone agreed that we should go ahead with manned spaceflight!

Thus, our Eastern space system entered the first echelon. Despite facing various difficulties from the Americans, we relied on our independence to develop manned spaceflight and have a space station that operates in space for a long time. Meanwhile, the International Space Station had to withdraw from operation early for various reasons. As a result, our space station became the only space station in orbit in the world.

Astronauts from all over the world who want to go to space have to go to our space station. So some people started learning Chinese, while others sourly criticized: Your space station does not meet world standards.

Our space station, built by people from the East, follows utterly worthless international standards!
Once our space station is the only one of its kind in the world, our standards will become the world standards!
It was already the mid-1980s, and the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Northwestern Polytechnical University had no new challenges left. So, everyone set their sights on manned spaceflight!

Director Deng felt his eyelids twitching: "Are you saying that Northwestern Polytechnical University is going to develop its own manned space program?"

It's important to understand that the government currently has absolutely no funds to support this kind of project, as the country's most important priority is economic development!
Because of a lack of funds, the aerospace system has begun to strive to go global, undertaking international satellite launch business and earning valuable foreign exchange.

If the government doesn't invest money, and Northwestern Polytechnical University invests on its own, it's practically a bottomless pit!

To date, none of the world's space programs are profitable; they are almost all burning through cash!
"This is such a huge project that Northwestern Polytechnical University definitely can't handle it. We can contact Beihang University and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and work together!"

Over the years, sister universities have joined in. Beihang University has cooperated with us in the development of some aero engines, while Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics has cooperated extensively with us in the field of helicopters.

These universities have made a lot of money by cooperating with Northwestern Polytechnical University, so why not bring them in and work together on manned spaceflight!

Without government investment, we can do it all on our own!
Director Deng breathed a sigh of relief: "In that case, why don't we contact these sister schools first, and then report to Principal Qin after we've finished exchanging ideas with them?"

"Director Deng, if you agree, then let's go to Beihang University to discuss this, and we can also invite President Qin to join us."

Qin Liang hasn't been to Northwestern Polytechnical University for a long time. Everyone is used to this irresponsible president, since he's often not on campus. Anyway, Yu Zhi, his secretary, helps him handle everything.

As for whether Qin Liang was busy with construction work or personal matters, no one cared that much.

"Okay, then Lao Wang, go to Beihang University and invite the people from Nanhang University to have a meeting together."

"Great!" Professor Wang said excitedly.

Building missiles and navigation satellites is no longer enough for the aerospace department to handle; they're going to pull off something big!
On a sweltering summer day, the conference room at the Capital Aviation Academy was packed with people.

"Old Wei, you must be tired from coming all the way from Nanjing."

"Not at all, we were very excited when we heard about it. Back when we were working on Project 714, we participated in the research and development of life support systems. This part can be entrusted to us!"

"it is good!"

"Old Wang, we've worked on recycling systems before, so leave this recycling part to us!"

"Professor Pan, do you mean we still need parachutes? Those things are outdated. I think our manned spaceflight can go straight to the space shuttle route! Didn't Northwestern Polytechnical University work on a spaceplane before? That was quite difficult, but the space shuttle shouldn't be a problem."

"Old Wei, I don't agree with your point of view. The space shuttle looks advanced, but the technology level is too high. We may not be able to solve so many technical problems. We should stick to the path of spacecraft."

"Old Pan, reusability is very important. The space shuttle is the trend. Besides, with Northwestern Polytechnical University involved, are we worried about the technology?"

Well, the meeting hadn't even officially started before everyone started arguing.

The debate centers on the most critical technological approach in manned spaceflight!
Early space technology was developed from ballistic missiles; replacing the warhead with a spacecraft would allow travel in space, however…

Each launch is a one-time event. The lower stages of the rocket will burn up and detach, and the spacecraft on top will also break into several parts. In the end, only one return capsule will come back.

It weighs hundreds of tons when it goes up into the sky, but only one or two tons when it comes down!

Such a launch is extremely wasteful!

So, the Americans developed the space shuttle.

With a fuel tank attached to its belly and auxiliary boosters on both sides, the space shuttle can be launched into space!

There are many advantages to this. For example, the main engines on the space shuttle can be reused, which greatly reduces costs. The fuel tanks and boosters are then worthless and can even be recycled.

Moreover, because the entire structure can go up, a lot of things can be brought back. In addition, it uses an aircraft structure, which allows it to glide and land, making recovery very convenient.

Since the Americans started using the space shuttle, they have abandoned spacecraft and even use the space shuttle to launch satellites.

According to their plan, this device can be reused hundreds of times, which will result in a very low average launch cost per launch.

Not to be outdone, the Russians developed the Buran space shuttle. Compared to the American product, they also had a large object hanging on its belly, but it wasn't a fuel tank; it was a rocket!
The main problem is that the Russians use liquid oxygen and kerosene, which causes coking inside the engine, making it unusable multiple times. The Americans, on the other hand, use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen engines, which are much cleaner.

Now, it's our turn to choose!
Since the US and the USSR have both started pursuing the space shuttle route, what are we waiting for? Of course, we should also go for the space shuttle. After all, our universities are all comprehensive aerospace universities, and we have a research and development advantage!
Seeing everyone's lively discussion, Professor Wang frowned. To be honest, he hadn't decided on the choice yet, and Principal Qin would have to make the final decision. By the way, when would Principal Qin be coming?
With such anticipation, he looked towards the door and saw several... veteran aerospace workers walk in!

"Elder Tu, Elder Qi, you..."

"We came uninvited, we hope we haven't caused you any trouble?"

"How could that be!" Professor Wang exclaimed excitedly. "It is our honor that you all could attend our manned spaceflight demonstration meeting. We are truly sorry that we did not send you invitations due to oversight."

Although it's a project jointly undertaken by our university, we still have to invite the veterans from the aerospace system. After all, they've spent half their lives in the aerospace industry and have a wealth of experience.

Especially Tu Lao, as the chief designer of the Long March 2 rocket, has profound expertise in carrier rockets, while Qi Lao is a payload expert and also participated in the Dawn Project...

"Please, leaders, have a seat!"

Once everyone was seated, Elder Qi spoke up: "What were you all arguing about just now?" "It was about the technological approach, of course. Spaceships are an outdated design, but they are very safe and reliable. Space shuttles are a new technology, representing the future, but they have many technical problems. We don't know which technological path to choose, and if we take the wrong one..."

That would be a waste of precious time and money!

We can't afford to waste time!
"Yes, that is indeed a difficult problem." Professor Qi nodded: "Currently, manned spaceflight has indeed entered the space shuttle era, and Northwestern Polytechnical University has also developed a spaceplane. As for the technological route..."

Old Qi shook his head: "We are just attending the meeting, let's listen to your analysis."

"That won't do. Since you're all here, please tell us your ideas."

Facing the expectant eyes of the crowd, Professor Qi could only continue: "I think the simplest way at present is to use the Long March 2 rocket as a basis to develop a manned spacecraft weighing about eight tons, similar to the Soyuz. This should be the most reliable approach. Of course... Northwestern Polytechnical University has advanced technology, and you may have entirely new ideas."

Back then, in order to launch Dongfanghong-1, the Dongfeng-5 was improved into the Long March-1 rocket. Later, it was further improved into the two-stage Long March-2 rocket, with a carrying capacity of only 1.8 tons. Then, four boosters were added to the bottom, successfully increasing the carrying capacity to low Earth orbit to more than eight tons.

The Soyuz spacecraft weighs only six or seven tons. If we design a spacecraft in this way, eight tons will be enough!

This is the most convenient way, but...

Who knows if Northwestern Polytechnical University will be interested in this proposal?
Professor Tu nodded in agreement: "Our Long March 2 rocket can be upgraded using the advanced electronic technology from Northwestern Polytechnical University to make it more reliable and meet the needs of launching manned spacecraft."

If launching a satellite fails, at worst you just lose one satellite. But if launching a spacecraft fails, the pilot's life is in danger!
Therefore, it's best to play it safe in everything!
"Yes, from a prudent perspective, the plan proposed by Elder Qi and Elder Tu is the best." Professor Wang nodded, then looked towards the door again. "Principal Qin, please don't stay home with your wife; we need you here!"

As if hearing his thoughts, a figure stepped out, and it was...

Qin Liang!

At this moment, Professor Wei couldn't help but speak up: "Everyone, I think reusability is very important, as it can reduce the cost of going into space... Oh, Principal Qin!"

He saw Qin Liang, and everyone else saw him too, and they instantly became excited.

"Principal Qin, you've finally arrived."

"Principal Qin, please tell us, what structure is the most suitable?"

Old Tu and Old Qi also looked at Qin Liang, waiting for his answer.

Qin Liang greeted everyone as he walked to the podium and connected his laptop.

"Everyone, I've quickly put together a design at home. I'd like to share it with you all as a starting point. Please feel free to offer any suggestions or comments."

Instead of staying home with his wife, Principal Qin got to work on the design!

Professor Wang was very satisfied; this was more like the work of the president of Northwestern Polytechnical University!
A design drawing of a spaceship appeared on the projection screen.

It has a pointed cone on top and a flattened cylinder at the bottom. This is...

spacecraft?

"This spacecraft is 8.8 meters long, has a maximum diameter of 4.5 meters, and a launch weight of about 23 tons," Qin Liang introduced. "It adopts a two-section structure, with the return capsule in the front and the service module in the back. When performing near-Earth missions, the return capsule can carry up to seven astronauts."

This thing...

It’s too big!

Only the space shuttle could carry seven people, but our spacecraft did it.

"The return capsule can be reused after the outer heat insulation material is replaced, while the service module will remain in space."

Who says spaceships can't be reused?
Previously, they were divided into many segments, with only one return capsule landing in the end. This thing could only sustain the lives of three astronauts, and had nothing else; the main equipment was left in space.

Therefore, there is no possibility of reuse.

Now, bring back everything that can be carried! This will give us the ability to reuse it!

"Using a parachute on top and a landing airbag below, it can land on land or at sea, making it more adaptable."

To reduce the difficulty of recovery, American spacecraft splash down at sea, since seawater can cushion the impact, and the US Navy is fully deployed to facilitate rescue at any time.

"For the rear engine, we use a liquid oxygen methane engine, which can be ignited multiple times in space."

The existing engine with eight tons of thrust is sufficient for this spacecraft!
Orbit changes, deceleration, and landing all require the engines on the service module. Of course, these engines cannot be recovered and must remain in space. However, they need to be restarted dozens of times during each mission, making them well worth the price!

Half an hour later, the spaceship was introduced, and everyone... had complicated expressions.

Principal Qin is truly amazing; we couldn't have come up with such a design!
It was a generation ahead of the Russian Soyuz!

"Principal Qin, your design is good, but we don't have a rocket of that size for a launch weight of 23 tons yet."

At the same time, Russia's Energia spacecraft could send payloads of hundreds of tons into space, and during the Apollo era, the Saturn V's payload capacity was as high as 110 tons.

In comparison, our Eastern rockets have a maximum payload capacity of only ten tons to low Earth orbit!

This is the difference!
It is precisely because we lack high-thrust rockets that we have to use the Soyuz design, since this is the only type of transport vehicle we have.

just now……

“If we don’t have one, we’ll develop one,” Qin Liang said with a smile. “Okay, now I’ll introduce the design scheme for the next generation of launch vehicles.”

Because of a lack of demand, Eastern rocket technology stagnated for a long time, not only lagging behind Britain and the United States, but also the European Space Agency!

Until the early 1990s, they acquired the liquid oxygen and kerosene engine technology from the Russians. Based on this, they developed the YF-100 series liquid oxygen and kerosene engine, with a single engine thrust of 120 tons, which was used in the boosters. At the same time, they also developed the YF-77 hydrogen-oxygen engine, with a single engine thrust of 50 tons, which was used in the core stage. In this way, the brand-new Long March 5 rocket was developed.

The first stage uses two YF-77 engines with a thrust of only 100 tons, which doesn't sound like much. However, with four boosters attached to the outside, each of which contains two YF100 engines, the thrust becomes 960 tons!
Including the core stage, the total thrust exceeds one thousand tons! Not to mention 25 tons, it can even send a payload of up to 32 tons to low Earth orbit! Even the transfer capability to geostationary orbit is as high as 14 tons!
"Currently, we are developing a liquid oxygen-methane engine with 8 tons of thrust. The next step is to develop a 60-ton-class engine, followed by a 150-ton-class engine. Therefore, we will use these engines as a basis to develop a brand-new rocket."

Qin Liang began to explain.

"On the first stage of the core, two 60-ton engines are used in the center, and different boosters can be attached as needed. The boosters can be two 150-ton engines or 60-ton engines. By attaching different engines, different thrust can be achieved. On the second stage of the core, two 8-ton thrust engines are used..."

Everyone's eyes widened.

Northwestern Polytechnical University is taking on the entire aerospace system single-handedly!
Compared to this plan, the space system's existing launch vehicles are simply garbage!
“That sounds good, but… I’m afraid it’s still a bit wasteful, isn’t it? Since liquid oxygen methane engines can be reused, what if we go the space shuttle route…” Professor Wei was clearly still not giving up.

"No, no, our brand new rocket has a first stage that can be completely recovered!" Qin Liang looked at everyone: "After completing the launch mission and separating from the second stage, it can fly back on its own!"

what?
Everyone's eyes widened.

(End of this chapter)