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

Chapter 539 Progress of Beidou-2

The summer sun was blazing, and the cicadas were chirping incessantly outside.

"Duoduo, it's still too hot in the capital. Let's go north to escape the heat for the next few months."

Seeing Yang Duo'er sweating profusely but not daring to turn on the air conditioner, Qin Liang felt a pang of sympathy.

"No need." Yang Duo'er smiled broadly. "Brother Liangzi, it's just having a baby, it's not a big deal."

In the whole world, it is estimated that only in the East in later generations has the care for pregnant women reached such a meticulous level. My wife just got pregnant and I asked the whole building to turn off the WiFi. Even when I went through security at train and plane stations, I didn't have to go through the inspection gate. With my big belly, I felt that I had to receive special treatment everywhere.

In fact, most countries abroad don't really take childbirth seriously. Take the United States for example, they don't even have the concept of postpartum care.

Yang Duo'er, who was born in the United States, never felt that having a child was a big deal.

However... Qin Liang's attitude was very serious.

"How can this not be a big deal, Duoduo? You've worked so hard."

Looking at Qin Liang's concerned eyes, Yang Duo'er felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

Just then, my phone rang.

"Hey, Lao Wu, which Lao Wu? The one from the space agency? We went to the Paris Air Show together? Oh, okay, got it, I'm on my way."

If it were still Old Lin sending someone to find him, Qin Liang really didn't want to go anymore, since he was already tired of going there every day.

However, Old Wu from the aerospace department had to lend a hand. This was the first time the Launch Services Market Development Group had undertaken international satellite launch business, and it could only succeed, not fail.

This can be considered the closing act of the Paris Air Show.

"Brother Liangzi, you go ahead." Yang Duo'er smiled.

"Hmm." Qin Liang was about to reply when he heard the other end continue, "Principal Qin, we know you're busy. Where are you? We'll come over."

Half an hour later, Qin Liang welcomed several guests to his home in the capital.

Beside Wu Keli were two people he had never met before.

"Principal Qin, let me introduce you. This is Huang Xiangjun, an American of Chinese descent, and this is John from Canada. Together they founded PGT Company and bought Western Union-6 for 20 million US dollars, intending to provide commercial communication satellites to Asia, named AsiaSat-1."

At the last airshow, they were contacted by Hughes Aircraft Company, which manufactures and sells satellites and also coordinates satellite launches, since their customers don't know as much about them as the customers do.

But this time, the person who came was the true owner of the satellite!
"Hello, both of you." Qin Liang greeted them warmly with a broad smile. "Welcome to your choice of our Long March rocket to launch your satellite. Rest assured, our aerospace technology is mature and reliable!"

“Principal Qin, we certainly have complete faith in Dongfang Technology, but…” Huang Xiangjun’s expression was complicated: “Our company is facing some financial difficulties, so…”

Qin Liang frowned. What did that mean? You want us to lower the launch price for you? No way. Launches also have costs. We're in business, not charity.

“We hope to find another company to cooperate in launching and operating this satellite,” Johnson said frankly, showing none of the shyness typical of people from the East.

Cooperation?

Qin Liang breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they weren't begging for alms, there wasn't a big problem!
How much funding do you need?

"Twenty million dollars."

This……

So all your money is barely enough to buy this satellite!
The launch price for the Long March 1 satellite was US$18 million. With other costs such as insurance, it would take about US$2 million more for the satellite to be commercialized, bringing the total cost to US$20 million.

“Our Pacific Company can provide the funds, but in the cooperation, we need to hold 51% of the shares,” Yang Duo’er said from the side.

This amount of money was just a drop in the ocean for Pacific Company, which mainly engaged in import and export business. So... Pacific Company could easily fill their hole. However, Pacific Company was not a charity.

"Ms. Yang, we spent twenty million US dollars to purchase the satellite. Now, your company is contributing twenty million US dollars, which would give you a fifty percent stake. Your company..."

“We can offer 22 million US dollars,” Yang Duo’er said. “Your estimated cost is still not enough. After the satellite is launched, the next step is commercial operation, which also requires investment. Business won’t come knocking on our door just because our satellite is launched. We have to go door-to-door to promote it, and that costs money too.”

A 51% stake would grant absolute control over the satellite! Yang Duo'er, this domineering CEO, is used to having absolute control over everything!
“Well…Ms. Yang, we did purchase this satellite after all, and we hope to gain controlling interest…”

“Our Pacific Company never makes investments that we can’t control. If we’re going to invest, we have to have a controlling stake.” Yang Duo’er said seriously, “Actually, this is already a losing proposition for us. We can have Northwestern Polytechnical University design and manufacture satellites for us. It wouldn’t cost more than 20 million US dollars, about 10 million would be enough. If we spend an extra 10 million, we can have 100% control.”

The only reason we're cooperating with you is to help Changzheng expand its international business; otherwise... we'd just do it on our own!

Huang Xiangjun and Johnson exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat... like they'd been tricked.

Yeah, why should we spend money to buy a used satellite from Hughes? We could just order a brand new one from Northwestern Polytechnical University. It's cheaper and has more advanced performance...

"You don't need to be too upset. This is just the beginning. After the AsiaSat 1 satellite is launched, more communication satellites will definitely be needed. Once we start cooperating, we will continue to do so. AsiaSat 2, AsiaSat 3... the demand for communication satellites from Asian countries will only increase."

Yang Duo'er looked at the two people opposite her: "By cooperating with our Pacific Company, we can develop into a company with more than three communication satellites within five years. Since we are all serving Asia, how about calling it Asia Communications Satellite Company?"

Huang Xiangjun took a deep breath: "Okay!"

Johnson nodded: "Okay!"

Although they didn't have absolute control, making money was their top priority. They quickly grew into a company with three communication satellites, making them one of the largest in the world!
They initially set their sights on Western Union Star 6 with the sole aim of making money!

Ukoli also breathed a sigh of relief.

Okay, that solves the funding problem!
“Old Wu, if you have any more problems in the future, come to us. If I’m not available, contact my wife. These are all minor matters for Northwestern Polytechnical University.”

"Yes!" Wu Keli said excitedly, "Next, we need to negotiate the specific launch procedures with Hughes Aircraft Company. We will definitely complete these tasks as soon as possible and show the spirit of our Eastern aerospace workers!"

Yang Duo'er was only responsible for making the final decisions regarding Asia Satellite Communications Company; the specific coordination was handled by her subordinates.

After seeing everyone off, Yang Duo'er said with a smile, "Brother Liangzi, our Pacific Company is about to take off!"

"Yes, it's also very important to keep this industry in our own hands. Northwestern Polytechnical University has also been developing the aerospace industry in recent years. For example, the Beidou-2 system is said to be almost finished..."

Northwestern Polytechnical University, Building No. 8.

Northwestern Polytechnical University's fifth department is the most prestigious, but the eighth department is also very capable. After all, various missiles fall under the category of aerospace engineering, and the Beidou-1 system has made the eighth department extremely successful!
"The Americans are already accelerating the deployment of the GPS satellite system, and it is very likely that the network will be completed within the next five years. At that time, our first-generation Beidou will be outdated, so we also need to accelerate the network construction of our second-generation Beidou."

"Yes, Professor Wang, you have a point. However, if we use a passive positioning method, the cost would be quite high. Can our department afford it?"

"Director Deng, your concerns are valid. Therefore, our idea is to first build a regional navigation system, mainly covering the Asia-Pacific region, and then expand it globally once things are stable here."

Professor Wang was aware of the department head's concerns, but they had already come up with a solution.

"We can deploy five geostationary orbit satellites, five inclined orbit satellites, and four medium Earth orbit satellites, making a total of fourteen satellites, which will meet the needs of regional navigation and improve positioning accuracy by an order of magnitude. Of course, our short message service will continue to be added, further expanding the capacity."

The first generation of Beidou uses the two-satellite positioning principle, which requires ground station calculations. The second generation of Beidou, like GPS, will use the multi-satellite positioning principle.

Every satellite flying in space transmits time signals back to the ground. If a user knows the signals from three satellites, they can calculate their distance to those three satellites. Then, based on the satellites' orbital information, they can know the satellites' current positions. With these three points, they can determine their own location.

Throughout the entire process, the user does not need to transmit any signals, which is the safest option for the user!
If a fourth satellite is added, users will also be able to know their altitude!
When we were developing the first generation of Beidou, everyone knew that two-satellite positioning was not as good as multi-satellite positioning, but at that time the main consideration was that two-satellite positioning was cheaper. Now... we can splurge a little!

"I think we should consult Principal Qin and see what his attitude is," Director Deng said, still hesitant to make the decision himself.

“Okay, then we’ll report to Principal Qin right away,” Professor Wang said. “Turn on the computer!”

Soon, Qin Liang's somewhat puzzled eyes appeared on the computer screen: "Professor Wang, what's the matter?"

"Principal Qin, we'd like to report to you on the progress of the BeiDou-2 system..."

Soon, Qin Liang's eyes lit up.

"Excellent! Our Aerospace Engineering Department has foresight!" "Principal Qin, does this mean you agree?"

"Of course I agree. Our first-generation Beidou system only solved the problem of having or not having one. It's time to upgrade the performance of the second-generation Beidou system and let the whole world know the strength of our Eastern aerospace industry! How long will it take to develop?"

"We have the necessary technical reserves. With the support of the university, we can launch our first satellite within six months and complete the network within two years!"

"Yes, of course we will give our full support! If you lack funds, our Pacific Company can also inject capital, take on shares, and only receive dividends."

If foreign companies can provide funding for their communications satellites, then their own satellites are even more so!

Pacific Company can fill any gaps, and it doesn't have to give up control; it only takes a stake!

"Okay, thank you, Principal Qin!"

"By the way, report this to Principal Luo."

Don't come to me with all your problems. I'm just the principal of a branch school. The head principal is my former boss, Director Luo!

"Yes."

After the video was turned off, everyone was filled with excitement.

Principal Qin agreed!

"Since Principal Qin approves, let's go ahead and do it with confidence."

"Yes!" Professor Wang said, then seemed to remember something else: "Speaking of which, our prototype liquid oxygen-methane engine has been developed. Next, shouldn't we start rocket development?"

"Yes, how about we report this to Principal Qin again?"

Qin Liang closed the video chat window on his computer and looked at his wife beside him: "Duoduo, how much more funding can the company come up with? The next project is a big one."

"No problem, we have as many as you need. Our company's profits are originally intended to give back to Northwestern Polytechnical University..."

As they were talking, the chat box started flashing again.

"Wait a moment, I'll take another video call."

"Principal Qin, I'd like to report to you about our liquid oxygen-methane engine..."

This project has been in the works for several years, and now it's time to see results!

Qin Liang, beaming with excitement, said, "Okay, go ahead."

Qin Liang was still thinking about the parameters of the Raptor rocket engine from later generations.

With a diameter of 1.3 meters, a height of 3.1 meters, a weight of 1.6 tons, a sea-level thrust of 230 tons, a specific impulse of 327 seconds, and the ability to be reused 50 times, it costs only one million US dollars!

The performance of this engine is absolutely phenomenal. In the United States, where industrial costs are high, this is a breath of fresh air. It is precisely because of this advanced engine that the starship is able to fly to Mars. Although it has never flown to Mars, almost everyone is optimistic about its future!
"Our engine has a thrust of eight tons..."

and many more!

Qin Liang asked curiously, "Did I hear that right? Eight tons of thrust?"

"Yes."

"What can such a small engine do?"

The Russians' most powerful rocket engine, the one used on the Energia rocket, has a thrust of 800 tons.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was sold to the Western world. Because of excess power, it was split in two, reducing the thrust to 400 tons.

Even our Long March 2 rocket, with its negligible carrying capacity, consists of four 75-ton thrust engines connected in parallel for its first stage, and sometimes requires the addition of several boosters.

What can an eight-ton rocket engine do?

"This is our first engine. Although the power is not very strong, we have mastered all the internal combustion parameters. The next one will be an engine with a thrust of 60 tons, and the third one will be able to increase to 150 tons."

Noticing Qin Liang's confusion, Professor Wang quickly explained.

Qin Liang nodded. One must eat one bite at a time and do one step at a time. You can't get fat in one bite. Although the Raptor engine in later generations is very powerful, it wasn't built all at once.

"Moreover, although this engine has a small thrust, it is not without its merits. The third stage of the Long March 3 rocket only uses a hydrogen-oxygen engine with a thrust of five tons."

Qin Liang immediately understood.

In this day and age, to realize the dream of flying, you need a multi-stage rocket.

For low Earth orbit, a two-stage rocket is sufficient: the first stage rocket sends the rocket out of the atmosphere, and the second stage rocket continues to accelerate it.

To launch it into geosynchronous orbit, a third-stage rocket is needed to ignite and accelerate it further!
At the same time, this three-stage rocket also needs to be ignited multiple times in space.

The old rocket engines were no longer convenient to use, so the aerospace department specially developed a hydrogen-oxygen rocket engine for use in the third stage of the Long March 3 rocket. This type of rocket burns very cleanly and can be ignited multiple times.

However... it is expensive and complicated to operate.

Our liquid oxygen-methane engine is designed for reuse. Even if it cannot be recovered for multiple uses, it is still feasible to use it only on the third stage of the Long March 3 rocket.

Moreover, the increased thrust will make the geostationary orbit carrying capacity even stronger!

"Okay." Qin Liang nodded: "You should coordinate with the aerospace department to see if you can match it with the Long March 3. If they are unwilling, don't worry. We will continue to develop rocket engines with larger thrust, and in the future, Northwestern Polytechnical University will build its own rockets."

"Yes Yes!"

Everyone was overjoyed.

Working under Principal Qin is awesome!
At least there's no need to worry about funding! Researchers only need to focus on their research; everything else will be taken care of by Principal Qin!

After turning off the video, Professor Wang looked at Director Deng again.

"Director Deng, our Beidou-2 satellite needs to perform many functions, so the satellite's weight will also increase significantly. We expect it to be more than three tons!"

Director Deng was speechless for a moment.

Currently, the maximum weight of a geostationary satellite launched by the Long March 3 rocket is less than two tons! The Long March 3A, which is currently undergoing upgrades, has a maximum launch weight of only 2.6 tons.

Our Beidou-2 satellite weighs over three tons, so the rockets currently used by the aerospace department are simply unusable. We have to use our liquid oxygen methane engine as the third stage rocket.

Well, it's no wonder you've been influenced by Principal Qin; you've learned all these tricks!

but……

What everyone said is true.

For a satellite, the greater its weight, the more fuel it can store, which in turn increases its on-orbit lifespan.

In low Earth orbit, there is an extremely thin atmosphere that creates resistance to satellite operation. To maintain its original orbit, the satellite must activate its engines to adjust its attitude. Once the fuel is used up, the satellite is considered unusable.

Even though there is no atmosphere in geostationary orbit, satellites will still drift away from their original location and need to adjust their attitude.

It's not easy for us to launch a satellite, and the longer its lifespan, the better, so... it's okay to carry more fuel!
"Director Deng, speaking of which, the gap between our aerospace technology and that of foreign countries is now down to just one thing."

"what?"

Manned spaceflight.

(End of this chapter)