Chapter 619

Chapter 619: The Gold Element Tech Enthusiast

The Pulsed Detonation Engine and Plasma Engine, both designed for space, not only came with simplified structure diagrams but also featured various parameters and requirements.

In terms of performance, each had distinct purposes, with specific performance indicators circled in red. The proposed alloy materials had to meet certain requirements and data standards. These data imposed extremely strict demands on the precision of processing technologies and the quality of materials, even more so than America’s F119-PW-100 vector thrust engine. China couldn’t even mass-produce the F119-PW-100 vector thrust engine, let alone these more demanding space engines.

These engines were intended for installation on a space shuttle. Lin Mo quickly began communicating with the gold giant dragon in his mind, searching for suitable formulas.

The Pulsed Detonation Engine (PDE) is a new concept engine based on detonation combustion, currently the only engine concept capable of dual-mode operation. It can function in both air-breathing and rocket modes. The shock waves produced by detonation combustion cause the pressure and temperature of combustible fuels to rise rapidly (pressure can reach up to 100 atmospheres, temperatures can reach 2000°C). Therefore, detonative combustion engines can compress gasses without the need for traditional compressors and turbine components, significantly simplifying the structure and reducing costs. Moreover, the propagation speed of the shock waves is extremely fast, reaching several kilometers per second. When the detonation frequency is high (80 to 100 Hz), continuous thrust can be generated.

When applied to flights beyond the gravitational field, this engine boasts a remarkable cost-performance ratio, capable of ascending to altitudes unattainable by fighter jets. The American "Aurora" high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft uses a Pulsed Detonation Engine, achieving an astonishing speed of 7 Mach and allowing it to fly freely in any nation’s airspace to take photographs.

The Plasma Engine is likely the specialized engine for cosmic travel after the Pulsed Detonation Engine has entered space, using Lorentz force to accelerate charged atoms or ions through a magnetic field to drive the spacecraft in reverse, following the same principles as particle accelerators and railguns.

Unlike rocket engines, which consume thousands of tons of propellant in just a few minutes, Plasma Engines offer relatively lower thrust over certain time frames. However, once they reach space, they behave like sailboats with a favorable wind, gradually accelerating and accumulating thrust until their speed surpasses that of chemical rockets. For example, the data in Lin Mo’s hands indicated that a variable thrust magnetic plasma engine could shorten the journey to Mars from 250 days to just 39 days, making it possible to reach Mars in just over a month, opening up the entire solar system for exploration.

Could they really start building an interstellar fleet? Lin Mo rubbed his chin, imagining that a massive investment of 500 billion equated to nearly 100 aircraft carriers, enough to thoroughly outmaneuver the Americans.

The International Space Station had nearly cost over 100 billion dollars; given the technological advancements, the "Non-Obstructing Mountain" space station, despite being larger, wouldn’t necessarily be more expensive.

“Ask him if there are any experimental prototypes; we could take the opportunity to analyze one,” Lin Mo suggested.

This information acted like a tempting lure, awakening the gold giant dragon’s greed, eagerly ruminating on possibilities after the basic needs for food and comfort had been met. Having transformed into a tech enthusiast that rivaled a professional miner, the dragon became utterly captivated.

The creature now had two unyielding principles. Anything related to technology must be gathered and brought back for thorough study. Anything it hadn’t tasted must be sampled at all costs.

“Do you have any experimental prototypes?” Lin Mo carefully reviewed the document and looked up at Major General Sun.

As a principle of equivalent exchange, Lin Mo couldn’t force the giant dragon to hand over the alloy formulas. Instead, he regarded the gold giant dragon’s thoughts as his own.

“See an experimental prototype? That’s a bit difficult… Wait! Let me ask for instructions first,” Major General Sun said, slightly troubled. This was classified at a higher level, and unauthorized personnel could not access such materials. After all, they needed something from Lin Mo, and it wouldn’t do to keep him here permanently copying alloy formulas. To ensure the formulas they obtained were as required, he stood up to make a call to consult his superiors.

After a moment, he returned to the sofa and said, “Alright, let’s go, I’ll take you to see it.”

If Lin Mo hadn’t had the identity of an aviation expert, they wouldn’t have agreed to his request. Pilots would become future astronauts, and aviation experts could evolve into future aerospace specialists; it must be said that the Aerospace Department was also experiencing progress from the aviation industry.

One person had pieced together what appeared to be at least a fourth-generation fighter jet. It was already impressive enough; who could tell how much more Lin Mo would grow in the future?

Following Major General Sun, they took an elevator down to the fourth floor of the administrative building. Beneath this seemingly ordinary building lay an extraordinary sight, resembling a nuclear-level eight underground defense engineering facility.

“Dig deep, accumulate grain” — this slogan from the Eastern and Western Cold War seemed to mean a lot more than just a response to party commands for many.

In fact, the true originator of this slogan in modern times was none other than the Aerospace Department.

Due to the outbreak of the Zhenbao Island incident on March 2, 1969, tensions between China and the Soviet Union escalated.

On August 28 of the same year, the Washington Star published a prominent headline stating, “The Soviet Union intends to perform a surgical nuclear strike on China.”

The article stated, “According to reliable sources, the Soviet Union plans to use medium-range ballistic missiles carrying several megatons of nuclear warheads to conduct surgical nuclear strikes on China’s important military bases — the Jiuquan and Xichang missile launch sites, the Lop Nur nuclear test site, as well as significant industrial cities like Beijing, Changchun, and Anshan.”

Mao Zedong decisively proposed the policy of “digging deep, accumulating grain, and not seeking dominance.” The entire country quickly entered a state of readiness for war, with many enterprises shifting to military production. The national economy began transitioning to a wartime footing, with a large number of factories relocating to remote mountainous areas, implementing configurations known as "mountain, scattered, and cave." Underground works were constructed in major cities like Beijing.

As one of the important bases for the Aerospace Department in Jiuquan, the 5th Training Center initiated deep excavation projects from the outset of its planning.

Lin Mo followed Major General Sun through a long corridor. It might have been two kilometers long, possibly five. The broad passage, wide enough for four tanks to travel side by side, was lined with uniform cement gray, with communication cables and power lines hanging on the walls, and lights that never went out overhead.

Maintaining such an underground project likely required substantial investment. Lin Mo silently trailed behind Major General Sun, keeping his mouth shut and focusing on the ground beneath his feet, avoiding unnecessary curiosity. In a place like this, even nine lives wouldn’t save someone from the dangers of curiosity.

As they passed a security gate, Lin Mo noticed armed soldiers guarding each checkpoint, all using manual mechanical operations, eliminating any possibility of network intrusion.

They entered a large room, about 800 square meters, extremely spacious with no columns in sight. Acoustic panels resembling honeycombs were embedded in the walls at intervals, ensuring that footsteps and voices wouldn’t create unusual echoes.

Though Lin Mo had no idea how deep they were, the room lacked any darkness or dampness; instead, the temperature was quite pleasant. The six-meter-high ceiling was made up of LED panels, creating a dazzlingly bright white light that illuminated every detail in the room.

“We’re here!” Major General Sun said, stopping after bringing Lin Mo into the empty room.

Upon entering, Lin Mo glanced at the sign at the door, which read “9D.”

Such rooms probably existed in many places; although he didn’t know their exact purpose, it was evident that they could function as troop storage, warehouses, or production workshops without any issues.

Similar spaces were also common in the Night Special Forces’ underground base. Usually, these vacant areas were referred to as standby zones, essentially waiting to be used.

Noticing that Lin Mo turned his gaze around, Major General Sun seemed to anticipate his thoughts and said, “Don’t worry. They are on their way. The secrecy level here is very high; I don’t have the authority to take you into the production workshop. I can only let them bring things out for you to see.”

After a while, two electric carts pulling a wheeled platform slowly entered through the door where Lin Mo and Major General Sun had come in.

Several soldiers clad in digital tactical armor stationed at the entrance blocked the way. Lin Mo recognized them instantly.

It was the enhanced version of Henghai Defense’s Dragon Guard, which he had worn back in North America, even superior by half a version compared to the standard version worn by the Night Special Forces’ combat unit.

The Aerospace Department couldn’t access the Dragon General armor because the only experimental Dragon General Tactical Armor was currently being worn by Lin Mo himself.

The soldiers were momentarily taken aback upon seeing Lin Mo in the Dragon General tactical armor. The Dragon Guard system automatically recognized the Dragon General, and almost instinctively, they assumed he was some commander of the underground base, saluting him in unison.

This response stemmed from the difference in tactical armor levels; the Dragon General clearly had superior capabilities.

“Thank you for your hard work, comrades!” Lin Mo cheerfully returned their salute, and Major General Sun couldn’t help but smile; it seemed Lin Mo had taken this place as his own territory.

A few technicians in special one-piece dust-free work uniforms jumped out of the cart, parking the two wheeled platforms beside Lin Mo and Major General Sun.

“The V-11 Pulsed Detonation Engine and the VASIMR-5A5 Magnetic Plasma Engine have been delivered; they are to be retrieved in half an hour!”

A technician handed over a folder. Even when brought out from the production workshop, there was a time limit.

“Thank you!” Major General Sun signed for the delivery, and after finishing, he gave Lin Mo a knowing nod. “Take a look!”