I ask you to build tractors, but you build rockets?

"It's such a pity. According to this progress, I'm afraid it will take the next century for humans to effectively develop the resources of the moon. Or maybe we are lucky enough to run into a super open-pit mine. Maybe United Mining needs to change its location."

Musk is still very sorry. Xinyuan's determination in space is very much to his liking. In his opinion, the future SpecaX must move in the same direction as Xinyuan. Such setbacks for the pioneers will also affect the future. the determination of the person.

Although Tom next to him already knew the research results, he still carefully looked at each page of reports and data, and then let out an exclamation.

It was one of the recent papers collected by the printed "JAD (Journal of Aeronautics and Astronautics Development, founded by the Aerospace Development Commission)", and the title was very attractive:

"On the Prospects of Application of Atomic Bombs and Hydrogen Bombs in Engineering (Yu Min)"

Although he didn't know why this paper was included in the data report related to Tianmu 2, Tom was eager to read it.

The content of the paper is very simple. It is more like a popular science magazine than a paper, with no knowledge threshold at all.

The author first explains the former alliance's use of nuclear bombs to extinguish oil and gas well fires and explode reservoirs, proving the convenience and availability of nuclear bombs in large-scale projects, and then extends it to mining.

The paper states that there are countless resources in space. Many materials that are precious on earth, such as gold and rare metals, are in huge amounts. For example, there are meteorites composed of a single nickel metal, especially those with a certain reputation. "Ceres" and "Lingshen" often have reserves of hundreds of billions of tons, which cannot be used up at all.

The development of these asteroids is very difficult. The hard structure is enough to make any engineering machinery and ordinary explosives helpless. The hydrogen bomb is a "clean and efficient" method that can easily strip out a large amount of ore, and the cost is quite low. .

Finally, it was natural to mention the very lively lunar mining. Analysis believes that it is quite feasible to use a hydrogen bomb to explode the bottom layer. The power of hydrogen bombs in a vacuum is limited to a fixed area, and the residual radiation value is very low. It is completely feasible. Apply.

He immediately showed this interesting paper to Musk, who was also surprised after reading it. Then he found that the author's name looked familiar, so he went to Google to search it.

"It's Academician Yu, a great scientist on par with Oppenheimer. He published it. No wonder it was published in JAD."

Tom took a breath: "According to the habits of the Chinese people, it means that they have great ideas in this regard and really want to throw a hydrogen bomb to the moon!

God, I can't imagine what a terrifying prospect that must be. "

Musk: "emm..."

"Tom, I think this is a really good idea that is very suitable for aerospace."

…

Desert base.

Ten days after its first flight, the "Snowbird" 1001 prototype underwent comprehensive refurbishments in preparation for all performance tests.

One of the design combat goals of the "Snowbird" is to carry a 12-ton anti-satellite and anti-missile laser, which not only requires a supercapacitor, but also requires the body to have strong power generation capabilities.

In addition, there are more complex avionics equipment, radar and reconnaissance equipment, which are also large power consumers. The power supply pressure of three WCR-12s is still quite high, and a lot of money was spent on them when designing the "Snowbird". Less energy.

Technicians from the 14th institute finally completed the inspection of the radar and distributed optoelectronic equipment. What is currently installed is still a semi-finished product, with only about a quarter of the functions of the completed product. Most of the parts have not yet completed the development work and have been replaced with counterweights.

The radar and optoelectronic equipment equipped for the "Snow Hu" is also well-deserved to be the best in the world, even more advanced than that on the J-20B. The 14th institute itself feels that it will take another year to produce qualified products that meet the targets.

Now the main task of the desert base is to test the Xuehu, which should be called the H-10 next year, and it will take about a year to gradually improve it.

Lei Qing has already sat in the cockpit. The "Snow Hu" is designed with a side-by-side two-seater layout. There is one pilot and one weapons operator. The latter can also take over the flight for rotation and rest. During the test flight, one test pilot is enough. .

The strange gray aircraft was still undergoing final inspections in the hangar, with almost half an hour left before flight.

Androv and Dou Ping, who were standing at the door of the hangar, did not discuss the snow swans. Instead, they talked about hot topics these days.

"Lao An, the idea of ​​​​nuclear bombing the moon must have been proposed by your Xinyuan, right?"

"That's United Mining! We weren't mentioned in the news. You see, Academician Yu even issued a support document."

Dou Ping said in disbelief:

“I don’t think the people at the space agency dare to say such a bold idea, it must be your evil idea.

But let me say this is a really good idea. The SL-1A has not yet carried out actual combat missions. If you want to bomb the moon, you can let it fly to the lunar orbit for orbital bombing. We have not done this kind of test yet. "

Androv: "Can that be the same thing? Exploding ore requires engineering calculations. If it is off track, there will be big problems."

Dou Ping: "I'm serious. If United Mining wants to use nuclear bombs, I can really take care of that."

"..."

While the two were intensely discussing how to carry out a nuclear bombing in lunar orbit, aircraft No. 1001 had been pulled to the runway. Lei Qing moved various rudder surfaces, stepped on the brakes and started the engine, throttling to 15%.

The display screen in the front and middle of the cockpit shows the planned route of this flight mission. Take off from here and then fly to the middle and then return. Depending on the situation, the maximum ceiling and speed of the aircraft will be tested. The one-way distance is 1,800 kilometers.

For ordinary fighter jets or bombers, it is absolutely impossible to test a one-way route of nearly 2,000 kilometers and a round trip of 5,000 kilometers, but the situation of the Snowbird is somewhat different.

Calculated based on the high-altitude sound speed of 295m/s, 10 times the speed of sound means that the snow swan can fly about 180 kilometers per minute and reach the end in 10 minutes at full speed...

Taking off from the desert base and turning around almost above Yinchuan, this flight route will not pass through densely populated cities, so there should be no problem.

The fuel tank has been filled with fuel for emergencies, and theoretically he can fly 36,000 kilometers.

What is the concept of 36,000 kilometers? Lei Qing takes off from the base, then flies northward on a civil airliner route that can fly over island countries, the Pacific, America, the Atlantic, Europe, and Central Asia. It only takes more than three hours to circle the earth and land again!

By then, C17's "Global King" nickname will no longer be worthy of its name, and Snowbird will be the real Global King.

After completing the inspection, Lei Qing applied to the tower for takeoff.

Dou Ping and Androv reviewed the flight route and self-check status again, and after confirming that there were no problems, Dou Ping issued the order:

"Dongyao, you can take off, you can take off!"

The companion aircraft at the other end of the runway is a J-20B. It is currently the fastest and farthest flying aircraft of the Air Force, but it will soon be eclipsed by the Snowy Hoosier.

Lei Qing pushed the throttle to the military thrust position. The fully fueled and unloaded aircraft was heavier than the last time. It was pulled up at the design length of 2,700 meters and blended into the dusk sky.