Development of productivity started in 1981

Chapter 206 The flight test at the Karman line altitude was a complete success

Early in the morning of February 1984, 2, Wang Jiankun finally received the news that all high-altitude airships had arrived at the designated locations, which meant that the global measurement and control system was ready and was waiting for the "Qihang" space shuttle to be in place.

The "Qihang" space shuttle at this time is very different from when it was first manufactured. Because the testing of the rotating detonation engine is still ongoing these days, Wang Jiankun will manufacture a new engine every day based on the experimental results of the previous day. It is through this method of daily iteration that the performance of the rotating detonation engine installed on the "Qihang" has been greatly improved.

Wang Jiankun named this second finalized rotating detonation engine D-2. It weighs 520 kilograms, which is slightly heavier than the D-1. Its length remains 1200 millimeters, and its diameter remains unchanged at 760 millimeters, but its thrust reaches 15 tons, and its continuous working time can reach 3 hours.

Therefore, the time it takes for the "Start" space shuttle equipped with a new engine to fly over the Karman line can be greatly reduced, and the weight of objects that can be carried in the cargo hold can be increased by 2 tons accordingly.

"Uncle, the air measurement and control and ground measurement and control are in place. I plan to arrange a high-altitude test today." Wang Jiankun sent a message to his uncle.

"Today? That's fine, but I don't have time to watch it. Lang Dao has something to deal with, so I can't make it in time."

"Okay, you go ahead and do your work. Today's test is still within the Karman line. The main purpose is to see if the maximum speed of the 'Voyage' can reach Mach 23, and whether it can fly safely at this speed. After the test within the Karman line is completed, the real space test will be carried out."

"Okay, I understand. Please be safe and I will wait for your good news."

"Okay, I'm going to get ready to go."

After Wang Jiankun communicated with his uncle, he began to issue orders, asking the Aerospace Research Institute, the high-altitude airship tracking and control team, the large radar station on the ground, and the two major bases in Argentina and Africa to be prepared and carry out the instructions he issued.

All places that received the news began to make intensive preparations.

The first was the Aerospace Research Institute within the base. The previous commander still played this role this time. Under his command, the ground crew of the Aerospace Research Institute refueled the "Qihang" and then towed it to the runway with a large trailer.

This mission is still carried out by the "Qihang" taking off directly from the ground. Of course, it is empty. If it wants to load cargo later, it will need to install solid rocket boosters and then release them at high altitude. Only in this way can it escape the earth's gravity and fly into space.

"Report to the commander-in-chief, the 'Qihang' is ready, please give instructions." After receiving feedback from various systems, the commander-in-chief reported to Wang Jiankun.

"Follow the experimental plan. You will only need to ask me for instructions in case of emergency. Otherwise, follow the experimental plan. I will fly the Thunderbird to follow the Sailing Ship to an altitude of 4 meters."

"receive."

"All units, please note, prepare for the 10-minute countdown." The commander-in-chief looked at the weather conditions and issued a countdown order, which meant that the "Qihang" had entered the launch countdown. All units also began to do final checks to ensure that they could observe the "Qihang" after the flight test began.

The early spring sunshine shines on the runway of the Aerospace Research Institute at the base in northern Myanmar, bringing warmth and brightness.

The "Start" space shuttle was quietly parked at the starting point of the runway. Under the sunlight, its white upper and black lower body shone with a mysterious and cold light.

The pointed head of the space shuttle is held high, as if telling the sky its desire and determination. The square tail is stable and firm, like a reliable backing. The triangular wings are stretched out, as if ready to embrace the vast sky.

At this time, the spring breeze with a speed of 1 was blowing gently, as if seeing off the Qihang. The staff on both sides of the runway were busy and orderly carrying out the final inspection and preparation work.

"Countdown 1 minute, get ready."

"Countdown 10 seconds, 10, 9, 8..., 3, 2, 1, start."

As the command was given, the engine of the Space Shuttle Start emitted a low and powerful roar. The sound gradually grew louder, as if it was the roar of a giant beast about to awaken.

The "Qihang" began to move slowly on the runway, its speed gradually increasing, the fuselage trembling slightly, with great power and determination.

The scenery around the runway quickly receded, and the speed of the Qihang was getting faster and faster, like an arrow shot from a string. Its landing gear rubbed against the runway at high speed, creating brilliant sparks.

At that moment, the "Start" space shuttle rushed into the sky with a resolute attitude, its fuselage gradually tilted and flew towards the endless blue sky, leaving a beautiful and spectacular track in the clear sky of early spring.

Wang Jiankun had already taken off in the "Thunderbird" a few minutes ago, and then circled in the air more than 300 meters above the ground, waiting for the "Qihang" to take off from the ground.

The power of the rotating detonation engine is indeed stronger. In less than 20 seconds, the flying speed of the "Qihang" exceeded the speed of sound and reached Mach 1.5, and the altitude reached more than 8 meters.

Because the Qihang does not have stealth capabilities, it will maintain a speed below Mach 2 and as high an altitude as possible during the flight over Myanmar.

So at this time, after the "Qihang" crossed the northern Myanmar Basin and came over the mountains, it changed its flight direction under the control of the ground control personnel, changing from flying west to flying south along the mountains.

Fortunately, this section of low-altitude flight was over territory controlled by the full-solution array, so confidentiality could still be achieved.

After the turn was completed, the speed of "Qihang" did not increase much, but the nose was raised higher, and the thrust of the three rotating detonation engines quickly pushed it to a higher airspace.

At this time, Wang Jiankun was flying the "Thunderbird" behind the "Qihang", collecting the airflow conditions around the fuselage during flight and observing the interior of the "Qihang" to ensure that it could remain safe in the airspace below 4 meters.

At this time, the power of the three rotating detonation engines began to reach 3%, and the total thrust was calculated to have reached 60 tons, pushing the empty "Qihang" weighing only 27 tons to climb rapidly. When it was about to reach the Bay of Bengal, its altitude had reached 15 meters.

Its altitude was still rising, and Wang Jiankun's "Thunderbird" could no longer fly up, so he could only watch the "Hanging Ship" go away from him.

He did not look back, but gradually accelerated at an altitude of 4 meters, following the "Setting Sail" as it flew over the ocean.

As the altitude of the "Qihang" increased, even with his 6.0 vision, he could no longer see, so he had to connect to the air monitoring system.

At this time, at an altitude of 4 meters, a series of high-altitude airships were observing the "Qihang" with optical instruments and radars they carried.

After Wang Jiankun accessed the system, he could "see" the "Qihang" heading towards the Kármán Line through the brain wave helmet.

One of the airships was facing the tail of the "Qihang". In the field of view of the optical tracking instrument, three rotating detonation engines emitted azure tail flames. The fuselage changed shape under the high temperature of the tail flames. This was because the light was distorted when passing through extremely high temperatures.

At this time, the power of the three rotating detonation engines has been maximized, so in addition to the increasing altitude of the "Qihang", the speed is also constantly increasing.

Soon, its speed reached Mach 7, and the Thunderbird could no longer keep up. Wang Jiankun did not try to catch up either, because even though the Thunderbird could reach a maximum speed of Mach 10, it could never reach any higher altitude.

In the next few minutes, Wang Jiankun sat in the cockpit of the "Thunderbird" at Mach 7, using a brain wave helmet to receive detection images and data sent back from various places. When it arrived in the airspace near Sri Lanka, the flight altitude of the "Qihang" reached 7 meters, and the climbing speed was still very fast. When it reached the equator, it had reached the Karman line at 10 meters, but the speed did not reach Mach 23, only Mach 20.

While Wang Jiankun was checking the data sent back from each observation point, he asked Zhizi to perform auxiliary calculations.

Zhizi's quantum computing is not to be underestimated. It completed the solution in less than 2 seconds. It told Wang Jiankun that the "Qihang" in an unloaded state is fully capable of taking off directly from the base in northern Myanmar and then directly crossing the Karman line to reach outer space. The final flight orbit is expected to reach about 300 kilometers.

After obtaining this data, Wang Jiankun knew that if two solid rocket engines were mounted as boosters and then released from an altitude of about 4 meters by an airship, it should be possible to send a fully loaded 13-ton payload to an elliptical orbit about 400 kilometers near the earth or a circular orbit about 300 kilometers near the earth.

During the time calculated by Wang Jiankun, the "Qihang" flew a short distance near the Karman line, and then began to turn downward under the control of ground personnel.

The moment it turned downward, its speed began to increase, gradually from Mach 20 to Mach 22, then breaking through the first cosmic speed and reaching Mach 24. Finally, at Mach 26, the engines of "Sail" were shut down one by one, and the fuselage began to change from head down to butt down.

Because it is about to enter the black barrier area.

Blackout areas usually appear at altitudes of 35 to 80 kilometers above the ground.

When the aircraft returns, it enters the atmosphere at an extremely high speed. Within this altitude range, the aircraft will experience intense friction with the atmosphere, causing a sharp increase in temperature, which will cause the gas molecules and the ablated materials on the surface of the aircraft to be ionized, creating a plasma sheath, which will absorb, attenuate, refract, reflect, and scatter electromagnetic waves, thereby causing abnormal or even interrupted radio communications between the aircraft and the outside world, forming a black barrier area.

When the aircraft's altitude drops to about 35 kilometers, its speed slows down and the blackout area naturally disappears.

This distance is the most dangerous. Ground operators can no longer control it and can only fly according to the previously set flight program.

Wang Jiankun was also quite nervous at this time. If danger occurred after entering the black barrier area, the time to enter space would be greatly delayed. At that time, he would have to build a manned space shuttle first, which he would drive himself, escort with his super powers, and then take the space shuttle across the black barrier area.

At this time, various optical tracking instruments were staring closely at the huge fireball falling from the sky, inside which was the "Qihang" surrounded by high-temperature plasma.

About 3 minutes later, the fireball quickly shrank and then disappeared in an instant. The face of the "Sail" could be seen through the optical equipment. Its lower part was a fiery red, which was due to the burning of the thermal insulation tiles.

Seeing this scene, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. This meant that the "Qihang" had successfully crossed the black barrier zone. Its body strength, thermal insulation facilities, and flight control programs did not need major changes. After arriving at the base and retrieving the data, it would be able to proceed to the next mission after a slight improvement.

The "Voyage" space shuttle is very different from the American space shuttle. It mainly relies on the fuel in the internal fuel tank. Unlike the American space shuttle, the fuel tank is a large orange tank hanging on the belly of the space shuttle. When the fuel is used up during ascent, it is thrown away. When returning, it relies entirely on gliding to reach the ground. Therefore, the use of the American space shuttle is very restricted. A good location must be chosen when landing. It cannot leave space anywhere.

At this time, the "Qihang" that had left the black barrier area had turned on two of the rotating detonation engines at the tail, and the fuselage began to level out. Then, at an altitude of 2 meters, the nose turned and headed towards the base in northern Myanmar. In fact, turning on one rotating detonation engine can also propel the "Qihang" to fly at a speed of Mach 3. Turning on two engines at this time is to be safer and the balance of the space shuttle will be better.

Wang Jiankun's "Thunderbird" was not far from it, and in less than 5 minutes it reunited with the "Qihang" which had returned safely.

The two planes maintained a horizontal distance of about 300 meters and flew towards the base in northern Myanmar into the sunshine.

Wang Jiankun started his work in the air, using his superpowers to project the "Qihang" into his mind and analyze the conditions of different parts of the fuselage.

Watching it up close at this time, the "Start" space shuttle is like a warrior who has been baptized by war, flying slowly back to the camp in the air.

Its fuselage and belly are covered with mottled and shocking burn marks, which are the testimony of its intense friction with the atmosphere as it travels through space.

The originally smooth surface below the wing now looked like it had been carved by time and fire, showing irregular lines and pits of varying depths. The thermal insulation tiles, the guardians that once withstood the burning of plasma flames at over 2 degrees, were now completely unrecognizable.

Some of them became charred, as if they were stained with ink; some of them took on strange and twisted shapes, as if they were struggling and deforming painfully under the ravages of high temperatures.

Under the scorching heat, the color of the thermal insulation tiles changed to different shades. Some places were dark red, like embers after burning, still emitting a trace of residual heat; some places were almost black, as if swallowed by endless darkness. Their original neat arrangement was also disrupted, some were lifted up, and some fell off, as if they had experienced an extremely tragic battle, and even though they won, they were still hurt.

The entire space shuttle exudes an atmosphere of vicissitudes and determination. Although it is covered with scars, it still flies steadily in the air, as if telling its legendary experience in space and its thrilling journey home.

When arriving over the base in northern Myanmar, Wang Jiankun circled in the air and watched the "Qihang" land safely under the control of ground personnel.

Then he glanced towards the end of the runway, where many flags and flowers had been laid out on the ground to celebrate the successful return of the "Set Sail".

Although these new human researchers are relatively indifferent in terms of emotions, they are still very excited when carrying out this unconventional space exploration mission. With their concerted efforts, the "Voyage" was able to perfectly complete the Karman line altitude test, so it must be celebrated a little.

Wang Jiankun himself was of course very happy. He piloted the Thunderbird and landed not far from the end of the runway. Then he quickly got off the plane, trotted to the control room, and shook hands with each of the new human members in the control room.

At this time, he did not communicate with them using his brain, but used his mouth to say some words of celebration and encouragement to them.

The entire base was bustling for more than half an hour, and then, under the command of the commander-in-chief, it began to engage in subsequent data collection and analysis work.

Wang Jiankun was not idle either. He also participated in the data analysis. Following the ground crew, he first cleaned the fuselage with detergent that could eliminate space ionizing radiation, and then began to disassemble the parts one by one from the outside to the inside.

Although the "Enlightenment" space shuttle was built using superpowers, it still needs conventional manufacturing afterwards. The entire solution array must master the processing and assembly of this high-end equipment, so it is necessary to start collecting data now to prepare for subsequent conventional manufacturing.

After collecting the main data, Wang Jiankun left and then talked to his uncle.

"Uncle, good news. The Karman line altitude test of the 'Sail' was perfect. It took off from the base and flew to an altitude of 10 meters near the equator. Its speed reached Mach 20, which is very close to the first cosmic speed. Its maximum speed during the return flight reached Mach 26, which means it has the ability to fly to the first cosmic speed below the Karman line."

"Congratulations, Jiankun. Your space dream will soon come true."

"Congratulations, uncle. I plan to conduct another flight test at the Karman line altitude tomorrow, and send the 'Voyage' into space the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, what do you want me to do?"

"Get ready to celebrate, prepare the Qinggong wine and beef hotpot, haha~."

"Okay, I'll start making arrangements now. I'll also tell the news to the senior executives so they can be mentally prepared. Our Quanjie Array will become the fourth organization in the world to independently complete a satellite launch, and it was launched using the most advanced space shuttle."

"Well, let's celebrate together then."

(End of this chapter)