Hong Qiming hadn't reacted yet when he heard Lü Yongchang's words, but Cao Liangcai couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Ten Hall thruster units?"
"Didn't we say before that five propulsion units would be enough?!"
"Hmm?" Hong Qiming narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Lü Yongchang with a strange expression.
"Yongchang, you can't just say things like that! If the Speaker of the Council gets angry, I won't be able to cover it up!"
Lu Yongchang shook his head with a wry smile and quickly began to explain.
“Our initial plan was indeed to install five Hall thruster units.”
"Fifty tons of thrust may not be as much as large passenger planes like the Boeing 747, but it is enough for a smaller spaceplane."
"It could even be said to be more than enough."
Hong Qiming's eyes showed even deeper confusion: "Then why..."
After a moment of contemplation, Lü Yongchang said, "In the original design, the first-generation spaceplane was to fly at a maximum altitude of less than 2,000 kilometers, which is near Earth's orbit."
"After thinking about it carefully, I realized that since we're going to build a spaceplane, why not just build the best one?"
"Why not double the number of Hall thrusters and enlarge the aircraft frame as well?"
"Although the manufacturing difficulty may increase slightly, the performance of this first-generation spaceplane will be greatly improved!"
"According to calculations, this spaceplane can take off directly from the ground and travel to the moon."
"Its own fuel is enough to support two round trips between the Earth and the Moon!"
Hong Qiming gasped sharply!
Good heavens!
What did he hear?!
A direct flight to the moon? And a round trip twice?!
Looking at Academician Cao Liangcai's wide eyes, Hong Qiming suddenly felt that he was losing control of the situation.
"Wait, wait!"
"Professor Lü, are you sure that all the data you're giving us is verified?"
Upon seeing Lü Yongchang nod in affirmation, Hong Qiming's pupils contracted slightly. Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"Wait a moment, I need to report the situation to the Speaker of the Council!"
...
A few minutes later, Hong Qiming hung up the phone with a complicated expression.
"What did the Speaker of the Legislative Council say?"
Lu Yongchang asked Hong Qiming with a curious expression.
When asked by Lü Yongchang, Hong Qiming gave him a strange look and then slowly shook his head.
"I really don't know what kind of spell you cast on the Speaker of the Congress."
“Congressman Lee has asked me to fully cooperate with your research project. Please feel free to ask if you need anything.”
Lu Yongchang paused slightly, as if he had thought of something.
His eyes flickered slightly, and he said directly, "Minister Hong, it seems I do have a problem that I need your help with!"
Hong Qiming's voice suddenly stopped, and his expression became increasingly strange.
"Go ahead and tell me, but I'm making this clear beforehand: we won't do anything that goes against our principles!"
Lü Yongchang: "..."
He chuckled wryly, touched the tip of his nose, and said irritably, "Minister Hong, you think too highly of me. I wouldn't dare do something that goes against my principles!"
"Getting back to the main point," Lü Yongchang said, his expression becoming more serious. "The first-generation spaceplane is short three pilots!"
"Driver?"
Hong Qiming waved his hand dismissively and said, "That's a small matter."
"I'll take you directly to the Air Force squadron to pick people!"
To Hong Qiming's surprise, Lü Yongchang shook his head and rejected his suggestion: "Minister Hong, I'm afraid that won't work!"
"The requirements for spaceplane pilots are even higher, and I'm afraid the Air Force squadron... cannot meet its requirements."
Upon hearing Lü Yongchang's words, a look of surprise flashed across Hong Qiming's face.
What the heck?
Are the pilots of the Air Force squadron unable to meet the requirements?
He glanced at Lü Yongchang with a surprised look, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Yongchang, do you not know anything about the pilots in the Air Force squadron?"
"If ordinary pilots don't meet the requirements, you can always choose those gold helmet ace pilots!"
"Don't worry, those pilots are absolutely top-notch!"
Lu Yongchang shook his head with a wry smile: "It's not a matter of flying skills."
"Hmm?" Hong Qiming was even more confused.
"According to my plan, this spaceplane will need to perform multiple missions to the moon."
"In my opinion, flying skills are a secondary consideration," Lü Yongchang said meaningfully. "Sufficient spaceflight experience is what spaceplane pilots need most!"
Unlike ordinary aircraft operating within the atmosphere, spaceplanes possess powerful enough propulsion to easily handle most unexpected situations within the atmosphere.
After all, there's an old saying that goes, "With great strength, bricks fly!"
Aerodynamics? That doesn't exist!
If the power is strong enough, even a brick can be sent flying out of the solar system!
In addition, spaceplanes spend the vast majority of their time outside of geosynchronous orbit during missions.
Therefore, sufficient spaceflight experience has become one of the essential requirements for spaceplane pilots!
After listening to Lü Yongchang's explanation, Hong Qiming nodded slightly.
I see!
"In that case, I'll go to the Xia Kingdom Astronaut Research and Training Center to take a look for you."
"I'll find you three astronauts who have been to space, is that alright?"
Upon hearing Hong Qiming's words, Lü Yongchang pondered for a moment and slowly shook his head: "I'm afraid it's not feasible yet."
"Minister Hong, don't forget, this spaceplane is not a rocket. The pilot must also take into account the flight missions within the atmosphere."
Hong Qiming clicked his tongue softly.
This is troublesome.
One must be proficient in atmospheric flight techniques and have ample experience in spaceflight...
In addition, they must meet a series of other age and physical fitness requirements...
Although no investigation has been conducted, Hung Chi-ming can still make a conclusion.
The Xia Kingdom probably can't find anyone who meets these standards.
Let alone the Xia Kingdom, it's estimated that it would be difficult to find such talent anywhere on Earth!
Hong Qiming's eyes flickered slightly, and he said softly, "How about... I select three astronauts and send them to an air force base for training for a period of time?"
Lu Yongchang's eyes suddenly lit up.
That's a good idea!
But a concern immediately arose in his mind.
"How long does this air force base training typically take?"
Hong Qiming frowned and slowly shook his head: "I'm not very clear about this either."
"I reckon... it will take at least six months to a year!"
"No! It's too slow!"
Lu Yongchang frowned and glanced at the calendar next to him.
April 3rd.
"Give them at most a month for training!" Lü Yongchang said decisively. "A month later, I estimate that China's first spaceplane will be ready to be built!"
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