Shenhao started as a military training anchor

The development of launch vehicles is complex and costly, and cost has always been the main factor restricting the development of the space industry.

With the development of aerospace technology and the expansion of the commercial launch vehicle market, significantly reducing costs has become an issue that must be considered in the development of launch vehicles.

In response to issues such as cost and environmental protection, the United States was the first to propose the concept of "rocket recovery" in the 1990s.

Several major aviation powers are also working in this direction to overcome technical difficulties.

Through twenty years of development, China, Russia, the United States, Japan, and other countries have achieved remarkable results in the research and development of rocket recovery technology.

There are three main recovery technologies being researched around the world: parachute recovery, vertical recovery and winged flight back.

Parachute recovery is a method of recovering the first-stage rocket using a parachute after the rocket has separated. This technology is very down-to-earth and is also the model adopted by some countries with relatively weak aerospace technology.

Although parachute recovery technology is very mature, its disadvantages are also obvious. It has high requirements for landing terrain and it is difficult to control the landing point.

The most important thing is that after the rocket lands, the engine will be scrapped, which is equivalent to recycling a pile of scrap copper and iron, which is far from true recycling.

Winged return is a recovery method in which the first-stage rocket is equipped with wings, landing gear and other structures and utilizes aerodynamic gliding to land. This method places extremely high demands on the overall structural design of the rocket.

Because the flight trajectory cannot be changed during recovery, the rocket body payload environment is relatively harsh during the return process and the landing accuracy is poor, which is not conducive to recovery and reuse.

Also, due to the limitation of parachute size, it is difficult to recover larger rocket bodies.

The winged recovery technology is still in the conceptual design stage and there is still a long way to go.

Vertical recovery is a recovery method that involves restarting the first-stage rocket engine to slow down and adjust to a designated location.

The disadvantage is that propellant needs to be reserved to restart the engine, so the rocket's carrying space will be compressed and the carrying capacity will be significantly reduced, by about 30-50%.

However, the advantages of vertical recovery are also obvious, that is, core components including engines can be recovered, which can reduce the launch cost of the carrier rocket during the second launch and has the highest commercial application value.

The Falcon 9 launch vehicle launched by SpaceX, founded by Musk, uses this method.

The Everest Technology Group founded by Holly and the Chinese national team also focus on vertical recycling technology.

Before the news that the Aerospace Research Institute of the Mount Everest Science and Technology Group announced that it would conduct a recovery test on its self-developed carrier rocket Nebula-1, foreign media believed that my country did not yet have a mature technical system for rocket recovery.

Although we are already very close to the level of the United States in terms of engine technology, there is still a gap in rocket body technology. Even if it can be recovered, the carrying capacity level will be greatly reduced during reuse, which will not achieve the goal of fundamentally saving costs.

This problem was also illustrated by the national team’s successful completion of a 10-kilometer vertical recovery test last year.

It appears to be successful on the surface, but in reality the probability of reuse is very low.

Therefore, it will be questioned and ridiculed by foreign media.

In the eyes of the global media, only SpaceX, founded by Musk, has truly achieved a breakthrough in the technology of reusable launch vehicles.

And in nearly 180 launches, more than were successfully recovered.

There is no doubt that the results are outstanding.

That is why Musk dares to say that in the future commercial launch vehicle market, the United States will be able to account for more than 90% of the world's market.

Putting aside the doubts about the United States' "moon landing", it is indeed far ahead in the field of launch vehicle recovery technology.

Holly, with the Everest Institute of Science, Technology and Aerospace, has already accomplished the feat of successfully launching a commercial launch vehicle and sending a satellite into space.

In the past two years, it has completed several successful launches, sent hundreds of satellites into space, and began to build its own "Starlink".

In the field of rocket recovery technology, Everest Technology has taken bigger steps.

We had in-depth exchanges and discussions with the national team, and also conducted even crazier experiments.

For example, vertical take-off and landing, hovering in the air, precise return to the base... etc.

Hundreds of experiments were conducted, most of which ended in failure, but the accumulated experience was invaluable.

Today is the time to take the most important step.

It is a test of the results of hundreds of experiments in the past.

From the country to the society, from group managers to scientific research teams, to every commander on the scene, everyone can't wait.

Holly stood in the launch hall and observed all the situations in the launch center with the commander-in-chief.

Repeatedly confirm that all units and procedures are working accurately.

To be honest, I wasn't as nervous as I am today the last time I launched the Force Arrow 1.

Because the significance of this experiment is too great.

It is a display of comprehensive national strength, a competition in cutting-edge technology, and a display of international image.

All of it fell on Holly's shoulders.

As time goes by, the heart rate increases significantly.

By the last minute, when the commander-in-chief began to announce the time, Holly had already lost consciousness.

His whole body froze there, his eyes fixed on the large surveillance screen in the hall.

"Ten, nine, eight... three, two, one"

"ignition!"

"ignition!"

"Fire up and take off!"

"take off!"

The commands of the commanders at each testing station can be clearly heard.

"Nebula 1" ignites and takes off.

The commander continued to give orders. "Radar is normal."

"Procedure turns."

"..."

"Booster shutdown."

"Booster separation."

"..."

"The first stage rocket shuts down."

"First stage rocket separated."

"..."

"Second level separation!"

"Second level ignition!"

"Star and arrow separate!"

"Shut down!"

"Flip the arrow and adjust its posture!"

"Start the recovery process!"

"ignition!"

"Restart the engine!"

"..."

All staff held their breath, waiting for the final instructions.

It is no exaggeration to say that my heart was beating in my throat.

Hundreds of media outlets across the country, many aviation experts, and 200 million viewers are following the latest developments sent back by the Wenchang Center.

All the previous procedures were completed beautifully, and we just have to wait for the final safe landing.

This is a feat that can be recorded in the global aerospace history.

"Landing and ignition!"

"..."

"Landing gear deployed!"

"Nebula One, safe landing."

"Return to the specified location precisely."

"The experiment was successful!"

As the last command was issued, the entire launch center was in an uproar.

All the researchers hugged each other excitedly.

A smile appeared on Holly's face and his heart was filled with emotion.

He shook hands solemnly with the commander-in-chief, the chief engineer, and several provincial leaders.

The Internet had exploded at this time.

The overwhelming first-hand news instantly dominated the hot searches on major social platforms.

The discussion has reached over 100 million views.

"Holy shit, shit, shit!"

"Brilliant!"

"That's awesome."

"Congratulations on taking a big step forward in national space technology."

"Boss Huo has accomplished a great feat once again."

"I cried so hard, I was so excited and full of pride."

"This trial is so important to the country."

“Does the United States still dare to boast that it is far ahead?”

Soon, the news that Everest Technology's self-developed carrier rocket "Nebula-1" completed the vertical recovery test spread to foreign media.

Shocked the world.

Everest Technology once again slapped the foreign media in the face.

BBC, CNN and other media also held a special session for this purpose, inviting well-known evaluators and aviation experts to analyze the successful completion of the recovery test of the "Nebula-1" carrier rocket.

The commentator threw up his hands in disbelief, "Why? Tell me why?"

NO! Impossible, they can’t do that.”

(End of this chapter)