Chapter 534: What does a shipbuilder do when he buys a rocket engine?
Kuznetsov Design Bureau booth.
"Our NK33 rocket engine was designed by the great Mr. Korolev." At the booth, the gray-haired Valentin introduced to the onlookers in front of him.
Behind him is a model of a rocket engine. This engine has been sprayed with a layer of silver powder and looks fluorescent. No one knows that it was in stock decades ago.
It is as tall as a person, and the largest part is the nozzle, which looks like a long skirt worn by a dancer. On top of it is a small combustion chamber, and on the side is a combination of huge turbine pumps, full of unique old-fashioned energy.
Maozi’s characteristic roughness.
Below the nozzle, the Russian name NK-33 is spray-painted.
The reporters in front of me kept clicking the shutter, showing interest in this big guy. However, they were just reporters, and no other special viewers were seen.
"Excuse me, what is this engine used for?"
"It was once used on the greatest moon landing rocket N1." Valentine introduced: "They use oxygen-rich combustion and staged supplementary combustion technology, and have the highest thrust-to-weight ratio among rocket engines!"
"Is it the kind of rocket that explodes every time it is tested?"
After hearing this question, Valentine's face immediately turned ugly.
Back then, at the height of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were competing for the commanding heights of landing on the moon.
In the eyes of ordinary people, Lao Maozi should be the most promising. From the first artificial satellite to the first manned space flight, Lao Maozi was the leader, and the same seems to be true for the moon landing.
However, the Americans came from behind and stepped on the old man, launched more than a dozen Saturn Vs in one go, and sent astronauts to the moon. Where is the old man?
Lao Maozi was troubled by huge problems. In the end, he failed to achieve a manned moon landing and could only leave the scene in cold weather.
The protagonist at that time was that the N-1 launch vehicle using this NK-33 rocket engine was not powerful.
The success of the Saturn V is inseparable from its engines, especially the first stage below, which uses five giant "Lockdyne F-1" rocket engines. Each of these engines is 5.6 meters high, with a nozzle diameter of 3.7 meters and a dead weight of
At 8.4 tons, it burns 2.6 tons of propellant per second and can generate a thrust of 6,770 kilonewtons (about 690 tons of force). The ignition of five engines can easily launch a rocket of nearly 3,000 tons into space.
What about Lao Maozi? Lao Maozi only has an NK-15 engine with a thrust of 150 tons. Therefore, Lao Maozi has no other way. He simply uses parallel engines to make up for the lack of thrust. (This is very similar to a private company in later generations.
)
The first stage of the N-1 rocket is driven by 30 NK-15 engines. The engines are arranged in two concentric rings, 24 in the outer ring and 6 in the inner ring. If you look at it from the bottom, the two rows of engines are still very
Joyful.
However, this also brings up a huge problem: how to synchronize the engine work!
Based on the technology at the time, the more engines there were, the greater the chance of problems. Therefore, after the N-1 rocket was built, it exploded on the rocket launch pad during the test launch.
There are eight NK-15V engines in the second stage, four engines in the third stage with a single thrust of only 41 tons, and one engine in the fourth stage with a thrust of 45 tons. Before testing, the entire rocket set off fireworks.
However, Lao Maozi was not discouraged and continued to improve the NK-15 engine. The improved model was the NK-33. The thrust of this engine was increased to 170 tons and it was more reliable.
The biggest blow to this rocket was the death of Korolev.
The doctor found out that there was a tumor in Korolev's intestines, so he decided to perform an operation on him. It was the Minister of Health who performed the surgery. After the incision, he suddenly discovered that it was just a polyp, not a tumor at all. The doctors
We began to discuss a new plan and threw the great space pioneer on the operating table. When the plan was agreed upon and the operation began, the heart that had been operated on five years ago could no longer withstand the pressure. Korolev did not
Leave the operating table alive.
Da Mao, even the greatest space pioneer of all mankind, died in the hands of quack doctors. He could have continued to live for many years.
Korolev's assistant Valisy Mishin took over his work and continued to work on the N-1 rocket. A large number of improved NK-33 rocket engines were also produced. However, the edge of the moon landing had passed.
Well, since Lao Maozi has failed, there is no need to go to the moon again.
As a result, a large number of NK-33 rocket engines were produced and fell into warehouses. They were never installed on rockets to realize the idea of taking off in their lifetime.
After entering the 1980s, Lao Maozi finally came up with the RD-170 rocket engine, which is the same level as the F-1 engine used on the Saturn V. The thrust of a single engine of this kind is as high as 800 tons. Only four of them are needed.
It can propel the former N-1 rocket to the moon, which is more powerful than the F-1 of the year.
However, the Red Empire no longer exists, and the RD-170 engine is useless for heroes.
(Speaking of the moon landing, there are always a lot of arguments to deny it. The Americans did not land on the moon and everything was a scam. This argument has always been there. The hero of East China wants to express his humble opinion. Although the old Maozi
There was no manned landing on the moon, but Lao Maozi launched quite a few lunar probes. If the Americans were a hoax, then Lao Maozi's lunar probe could not find the lower half of the lunar module, and it would definitely be announced to the world and exposed.
The lies of the Americans. If you carefully study the American moon landing technology, you will know that the lower half of the lunar module cannot fly and remains on the lunar surface. And we have also begun to launch lunar probes one after another. If
We haven't found the lower half of the lunar module, so how can the Americans argue? There is no air on the moon, and the lunar module will not be covered by wind and sand. As for why the Saturn V cannot be built, what is the data on the F-1 engine?
Lost, this is indeed nonsense. However, after the moon landing, the Americans did not need such a big rocket. Decades have passed, the drawings have been lost, supporting manufacturers have closed down, and technicians have died of old age.
possible.)
"The explosion of the rocket is a tragedy. It is not only a tragedy for the Red Empire, but also a tragedy for all of us. Now, we should not look at the great pioneers with ridicule. This is unfair."
At this time, a voice came from behind.
Valentin looked over gratefully. It was someone he had met before, Mr. Qin!
Wu Shengli and Mr. Wu were watching the fun in the back. Qin Tao brought Xu Zhengyang to the front. Hearing these reporters laughing at the guests he invited, Qin Tao of course had to retort a few words. These words were very lofty, even the question he just asked
All the reporters lowered their heads in shame.
"However, this kind of rocket engine is still too old." Another person said: "These engines should have been built in the 1960s and 1970s, right? Aren't they rusting in the warehouse?"
"They are all being properly preserved. As long as there is a chance, they can still fly into the sky. We have opened them for testing a few years ago. They are completely reliable and there are no problems!" Valentine said to reporters: "
These rockets can still reach the sky."
"In order to support our Kuznetsov Design Bureau, our Minzhou Group decided that if these rocket engines are not sold by the end of the defense exhibition, our Minzhou Group is willing to pay to buy them all!"
Wow, everyone was surprised at this moment. Even Mr. Wu and Wu Shengli behind them became curious.
What does Qin Tao want to do? What does Mingzhou Group want to do?
"Does Mr. Qin want to make us astronauts unemployed?" When Mr. Wu said this, he seemed to be teasing or mocking himself.
At present, the most mature and advanced rocket in China is the Long March 2. This rocket has a take-off weight of 190 tons and a low-Earth orbit carrying capacity of less than two tons. The first-stage engine used on it has a thrust of only 75 tons.
Dimethylhydrazine is a toxic fuel.
Later, a strap-on was installed under the Long March 2 and four boosters were added. This increased the carrying capacity of the low-Earth orbit to ten tons, which was already the limit.
Of course, astronauts are also studying a new generation of launch vehicles. The thrust of the engine has been increased to 120 tons, which is still far behind the old engines of the 1960s and 1970s.
At this time, the reporters couldn't help but explode: "Mr. Qin, is your Mingzhou Group going to space?"
"Yes, you are no longer satisfied with just building ships, are you going to enter the aerospace field?"
Valentine's eyes were filled with gratitude. At the critical moment, they still had to rely on Mr. Qin to rescue them! Moreover, Mr. Qin actually promised to buy all the engines in their inventory, which gave them even more reassurance. This time
Dongfang really came to the right place to participate in the International Defense Exhibition!
"A spaceship is also a ship, and we are not cross-disciplinary." Qin Tao said: "Everyone, I want to discuss the deal with Mr. Valentine next. You can wait a moment. This defense exhibition is over. If we buy this
If the engine is approved, we will hold a special press conference. At that time, we will announce the shipbuilding plan of our Mingzhou Group."
This time, Mingzhou Group is really going to enlarge the satellite!
In the staff lounge behind the booth, Valentin personally poured a glass of water for Qin Tao: "Mr. Qin, come on, drink some water. Thank you so much for just now. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to deal with it, even if you just lied.
They want to buy our stock engines, and we are grateful."
Qin Tao smiled: "We, Mingzhou Group, keep our word. Since we said we would buy it, we are sincere. How many engines do you still have in stock? Have any customers come to buy them before?"
In Qin Tao's memory, after the collapse of the Red Empire, many departments of Lao Maozi had a hard time, but some organizations had a very comfortable life. Rocket engine manufacturers were one of them. They sold rocket engines to Americans.
Count money until you become weak.
While the Americans are shouting various sanctions against Damao, they continue to shout that they are really delicious and import large quantities of Damao rocket engines. Even though many people are worried and think that this will destroy the United States' own rocket engine research and development industry, there is no other way. After all,
Da Mao is so cheap!
How cheap is it? Take the RD-180, the most commonly used Laomaozi engine in American rockets, for example. Even if a full set of technology is introduced, the cost of just producing it in the United States is five times that of purchasing Laomaozi finished products.
Therefore, they have no other choice but to continue to import Lao Maozi's engines, and Lao Maozi is also very honest. He will only take this out and yell twice unless he is sanctioned to the extreme.
"Back then, we produced a large number of NK-33 rocket engines for the N-1 rocket, and our inventory reached 250 units. So far, no customers are interested in our engines."
There are no customers yet? Could it be that the time has not come yet?
Although it has been nearly five years since the collapse of the Red Empire, the American rocket research and development industry is still running steadily, and it has not yet entered the era of buying, buying, buying.
After the collapse of the Red Empire, the tense confrontation that year has been greatly alleviated. At the same time, more importantly, U.S. policies and regulations have been relaxed. On the one hand, it allows private individuals to enter the aerospace market. On the other hand, it also wants to win over the old man.
After all, if the rocket industry is finished like other industries, then in order to make money, the old rocket experts will have to travel all over the world. If they go to those rogue countries, they will definitely give the United States
People bring big trouble.
Especially in August 1994, the U.S. National Space Transportation Policy was released, instructing the Department of Defense to take charge of the expendable launch vehicle program aimed at developing and updating existing systems, which is the subsequent EELV (Evolutionary Expendable Launch Vehicle) project, with a smooth transition.
, gradually replacing expensive and outdated launch vehicles such as Atlas, Delta and Hercules, reducing costs, improving reliability, simplifying operations and shortening launch cycles, and continuing to maintain its leading position in the field of aerospace technology.
To put it simply, the Americans’ rockets need to be upgraded, and that’s when they started to consider Lao Maozi’s rocket engines.
A year or two have passed, and Americans are moving at a snail's pace, but this is actually better.
"Oh, you are really suffering." Qin Tao said: "If you sell all these rocket engines, will you be able to develop more advanced rocket engines?"
"Yes, we have always planned to increase the thrust of the NK-33 engine from 170 tons to 200 tons. The new model is called NK-43, so that four NK-43s can perfectly replace one RD-170 rocket engine.
"Valentin said excitedly.
"Since you have such urgent needs, we won't wait for the defense exhibition to end. We can sign the contract now. How much do you plan to sell these engines?"
"Mr. Qin, we don't know how much we can sell it for. Please give us a price," Valentine said.
"We can't treat you badly." Qin Tao thought for a while and said: "How about giving you 25 million US dollars for the 250 engines in stock?"
They are all junk produced in the 1960s and 1970s, and have been gathering dust in warehouses. Nowadays, one hundred thousand dollars is very expensive.
Valentin was overjoyed: "Of course, Mr. Qin, thank you very much."
"I also want to add some color to our international defense exhibition." Qin Tao said: "Sign the contract now, and I will immediately contact people in Moscow to go to your place to complete our deal."
"Mr. Qin, thank you so much for your support!"
"However, I have a request."
"any request?"
"If we need it, you have to send some experts over to help us maintain these engines. Of course, I will give them a large travel allowance."
"That's natural." Valentine nodded immediately. Who doesn't know that when you come to Mingzhou Group for a business trip, the treatment you get is quite good. You can treat it as a trip and you can make a lot of money!
When Qin Tao came out, he saw the faces of Wu Shengli and Mr. Wu again, and was immediately surprised: "You are actually waiting for me here?"
"Yes, Mr. Qin, we want to know what agreement you have reached over there."
"It's nothing. I just bought a bunch of junk in stock. The price is quite cheap."
Bought them all?
Mr. Wu felt his heart beating violently: "How much did it cost to buy it?"
"One hundred thousand dollars, NK-33 engine. Two hundred and fifty in total."
Mr. Wu opened his eyes wide: "You are trying to block our aerospace progress!"
As a veteran of the aerospace system, Mr. Wu is certainly aware of the data of this engine. The thrust-to-weight ratio is the highest in the world, and the thrust is also good. The performance is much higher than the model being planned in China!
The famous Long March 5 is known as the fat five rocket. The thrust of a single engine is only 120 tons. But now, the second-hand engines that Qin Tao bought in stock cost only 100,000 US dollars each, and they still have a thrust of 170 tons.
Tons of big guys.
After hearing what Mr. Wu said, Qin Tao smiled: "How is this possible? What we can buy must be engines that Lao Maozi has eliminated and outdated. Lao Maozi's latest RD170 will never be sold to us. We have the money.
You can't even buy it. If we want to develop our aerospace technology, we have to rely on self-research. Only what we develop ourselves will be our own. If we outsource it, we will always be controlled by others."
Wu Shengli nodded: "Yes, no matter how good other people's things are, they still belong to others. When it comes to external procurement, we have always adhered to this principle. We can introduce technology for production, improve after a thorough understanding, and ultimately promote our own technological development.
That's fine. If it's just outsourcing and it causes us to lose our ability to conduct self-research, it's definitely not worth the gain."
"Mr. Qin, your words give me reassurance." Mr. Wu said, "But what's the use of buying so many second-hand engines in stock?"
170 tons of thrust, 250 units. If all these engines are used in domestic aerospace projects, it is estimated that they can be used for twenty years. Once they rely on these engines, the domestic self-development ability of rocket engines will be completely lost.
When these engines are used up, they can only be purchased from outside sources because the entire engine development team has collapsed.
"Our Mingzhou Group will open a private rocket company. Your aerospace system will build yours, and our Mingzhou Group will build ours. We will not compete with the country and go outside to grab business." Qin Tao said.
Mr. Wu was stunned again, Mr. Qin, are you serious? Isn't this still blocking the way for our domestic aerospace industry? Are you addicted to competition and are you going to crush our domestic aerospace system?
Even Wu Shengli opened his eyes wide: "Taozi, do you really want to go into space?"
"This is just an idea. If it can't be sold, then it can only be used by ourselves. If it can be sold, we will mainly sell it. It is better to be a second-rate dealer."
Everyone walked and watched, and soon came to the booth of the Power Machinery Manufacturing Research and Production Consortium.
Behind this booth, there is also an engine, which looks similar to the one from the Kuznetsov Design Bureau, but is bigger!
How big exactly?
Just a bell-mouthed nozzle is taller than an ordinary person! Moreover, as long as this thing is put out, it must have four bells. It is placed upside down on the shelf, with the bells facing the sky. Look.
It’s even more spectacular when you go up, this is the big thing made during the Red Empire!
Back then, if Lao Maozi had this kind of engine when he was developing the N-1 rocket, it would have definitely been a success. In fact, it is said that the RD-270 at that time already had this kind of thrust, but this engine used
It was meta-dimethylhydrazine. Korolev was personally very dissatisfied with this poisonous rocket. He may have some personal grudges, which led to the failure of the moon landing project.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! "This is the most powerful rocket ever developed by mankind. It has a thrust of eight hundred tons." In front of the engine, Kolpekov was talking.
Jedi introduced. (Some say it is 790 tons.)
He does not have the embarrassment of Valentine. This rocket engine has no dark history and is full of aura.
"Our engine was developed to propel the world's largest Energia rocket. This rocket has a low-Earth orbit carrying capacity of one hundred tons!"
The Energia rocket is very powerful. In the 1980s, this rocket successfully carried out several launches, one of which was to send space laser weapons into space! In terms of Star Wars, the Yankees are playing tricks, but the old man is the real deal.
To face the challenge, if you give me more than ten years to successfully develop various Star Wars weapons, then the Americans will have a hard time.
At the same time, this rocket can also hang the Buran space shuttle on the side and launch it into the sky.
Unfortunately, since the collapse of the Red Empire, the Energy rocket has never been produced again, because...
"Its thrust is too great. We don't need a rocket engine with such a large thrust at the moment." said a foreigner, with the USA logo written on his badge.
There are still people who dislike its strong thrust?
That's right, a satellite launched today is already heavy with more than ten tons. The largest cabin of the International Space Station only weighs 18 tons. Only the Skylab built by the Americans using the leftover materials from the moon landing can be considered as heavy.
A whole body of eighty or ninety tons.
The thrust of the rocket engine is too great and no one knows how to use it. An advanced rocket engine like the RD-170 actually has no market for this reason!
"Would it be more appropriate if we make simple changes, shrinking the four combustion chambers into two, and reducing the thrust to four hundred tons?" A voice came from outside.