Chapter 253: Top Foreign Aid
“Laxative, there are many answers, and everyone has said a lot.
There are answers from professional angles, business angles, all kinds of answers.
Everyone says this matter is very difficult, mentioning that Apollo Technology definitely has new simulation methods. Ran Shen, as a master-level figure in the number theory field, definitely has his own set of things in the field of numerical calculation.
After all, before he became a number theory master, he was doing Graph AI.
It is precisely because of a unique numerical calculation method that no large amount of real-world verification is needed, and it succeeds on the first launch directly.
Other answers also compare rockets made by other private enterprises with Burning No. 1, and the size difference between the two is very obvious.
But they took more than two years, while Burning No. 1 only took half a year.
They all use mature engines, but Burning No. 1 not only has a large payload capacity, but also uses the more advanced technology type of multiple engines in parallel.
As a veteran in the field of aerospace, who has been in the field of aerospace for more than ten years, I want to talk about how difficult this matter really is from a professional perspective.
When mentioning Burning No. 1, it is inevitable to compare it with the Long March 2F.
The Long March 2F rocket also has a payload capacity of 8.8 tons to low Earth orbit, which is about the same as Burning No. 1’s 8 tons.
The engine model used is YF-100, Burning No. 1 uses YF-102, but essentially they are similar.
The Long March 2F was approved at the end of 1992, transported to Jiuquan in 1998. That’s right, also at Jiuquan, for joint debugging with ground equipment and the launch site, and it succeeded on the first launch in 1999.
But the premise is that it underwent sufficient testing on the ground, enough tests.
While Burning No. 1 obviously did not, because there wasn’t enough time, just half a year. You want to test in a wind tunnel, which requires queuing, and private enterprises need at least half a year to queue for a wind tunnel.
You know, Burning No. 1 has a full 7 engines in parallel on the first stage, which is just one less than the first stage of Falcon 9.
The entire design is very complex. From a professional perspective, whenever the number of engines in parallel on the same stage exceeds 4, the technical difficulty rises geometrically.
When the number of engines in parallel on the same stage exceeds 4, ensuring that all engines ignite simultaneously and maintain consistent thrust output becomes the primary challenge.
Ignition latency or inconsistent thrust output from engines can cause the rocket to deviate from the predetermined trajectory, leading to catastrophic consequences.
The Russian N1 rocket used 30 NK-15 engines in parallel, but due to the inability to perform static ignition tests, engine synchronization issues led to multiple launch failures.
Specifically, the ignition process requires precise control of each engine’s spark plug, valve, and fuel injection system.
After exceeding 4 engines, system complexity grows exponentially, and the control system needs to monitor the status of each engine in real time and dynamically adjust through thrust vector control.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 uses 9 Merlin engines, ensuring through fault-tolerant design that even if one engine fails, the remaining engines can compensate for thrust loss by extending burn time.
But this design requires highly complex flight computers and software, increasing development difficulty.
Even worse, when multiple engines operate in parallel, each engine produces vibration, and these vibrations may form resonance at specific frequencies, threatening the structural integrity of the rocket. Research shows that the superposition effect of vibration frequencies significantly intensifies beyond 4 engines, potentially leading to structural fatigue or destruction.
Clustered rocket engines exhibit dynamic interactions during startup, and any asynchronous startup is likely to cause severe non-linear transients and thrust imbalance.
Specifically, you can look at the latest research achievement from Moscow: “Dynamic interaction between clustered liquid propellant rocket engines under their asynchronous start-ups”.
Of course, the YF-102 thrust is not as strong as Falcon 9’s Merlin engine, which is advantageous here. The advantage is that resonance issues are obvious at high thrust, requiring alleviation through precise structural design and damping systems.
SpaceX used advanced vibration isolation technology and materials on Falcon 9 to reduce the impact of vibration on the vehicle body.
As the number of engines increases, the complexity of vibration modes grows exponentially, and design and test costs rise accordingly.
Burning No. 1 has one fewer engine than Falcon 9, and the YF-102 thrust is also smaller, so the difficulty is much lower.
When multiple engines are in parallel, the rocket base faces a more severe thermal environment, requiring strengthened thermal protection systems.
The interaction of exhaust plumes from clustered engines can significantly increase heat load in the base region. Like the N1 rocket’s 30 engines, the heat generated during startup caused base structure overheating, increasing failure risk.
In addition, the weight and volume of more engines require stronger structural design.
In summary, when the number of engines in parallel on the same stage exceeds 4, technical difficulty rises geometrically, mainly due to the exponential increase in synchronous control, vibration resonance, complex pipe systems, control system complexity, thermal management, and test verification.
Although multi-engine design provides redundancy and fault tolerance, managing these challenges requires a high degree of engineering innovation and resource investment.
In the past, we always said that China has no SpaceX of its own, but now Ran Shen’s Apollo Aerospace has built Burning No. 1, which gives me hope that China can produce something comparable to SpaceX.”
“Laxative, extremely awesome. According to the insider news I’ve heard, all domestic investment institutions that have invested in private aerospace agencies are working overtime these days, panicking.
Because Apollo Technology solving the medium rocket with multiple engines in parallel is a major blow to them.
Half a year to complete Burning No. 1, half a year from design to manufacturing to successful orbit insertion. First, not talking about the new simulation methods that everyone is guessing about now.
I estimate there are, and if there are, it’s a major threat. If others can achieve the effect of your real-world ground ignition tests just through numerical simulation, how much cost can be saved?
How much can development efficiency be improved?
How high is the reusability?
Just thinking about it is enough to make those investors in private aerospace agencies tremble, because others use IBM computers, while you use an abacus and paper, the efficiency gap is too big, almost an unwinnable battle.
Unless Apollo Technology doesn’t plan to do reusable rockets.
But is that possible? They have mentioned that the purpose of this design is to consider building reusable rockets, so no boosters.
Additionally, even if there is no such method, even if it’s good luck.
Then half a year of good luck to complete design and production also fully proves the strong combat power of the entire team under Ran Shen’s Apollo Technology.
Which other private aerospace agencies cannot match.
Now as far as I know, everyone is trying all means to poach people, after all, Apollo Technology probably didn’t sign many non-compete agreements.
Startup teams have no money to sign non-compete agreements, poach if you can, as long as the shovel swings diligently, no corner is unmovable.
Additionally, investment institutions, from what I know, either demand withdrawal of investment, not playing anymore and leaving.
After all, you want to beat Apollo Technology, the difficulty is a bit high.
Or they have to sign a bet agreement, the bet requires you to complete reusable rockets before Apollo Technology, if not, the company must recover the shares in investors’ hands with interest.
So now these founders are all in a dilemma, whether investors choose A or B, it’s a bolt from the blue for them.
The former is immediate death, the latter is delayed death.
And poaching is also a considerable expense, after all, poaching when the opponent’s morale is high is not that easy.
Just like you want to poach the core R&D team of Long March Rocket, they have establishment and do core business, not easy to poach.
In short, as the old saying goes, one whale falls and all things come to life, but now the situation in the domestic private aerospace field is one whale rises and all things die.”
In reality, it’s boiling with debate, and discussions on the Internet are getting hotter.
Shanghai education sector holds a routine meeting, hosted by the deputy mayor in charge of education.
Lin Zhongqing was extremely smug, feeling much more confident during this time.
During a break in the meeting, Fudan President Jin Li, sitting next to Lin Zhongqing, said in a low voice:
“Old Lin, Shanghai universities are one family.”
“No, Shanghai universities are one family? How come I haven’t heard of it?” Lin Zhongqing’s inner alarms rang loudly after hearing this. “Aren’t we fiercely competing over who is Shanghai’s Top 1, China’s Top 3?”
Jin Li continued: “Domestic private aerospace companies are all concentrated in Yanjing, there weren’t any in Shanghai before.
Our science and engineering students interested in aerospace major or the field of aerospace have to go to Yanjing or Chang’an for internships, which is actually very inconvenient.”
Recently, Apollo Technology has achieved a major breakthrough in rocket R&D, which is good news! It’s good news for students at Shanghai universities dedicated to development in the field of aerospace!”
Lin Zhongqing knew what he wanted to say, and didn’t fully go along: “It’s good news, but it’s not in Shanghai, it’s in Kunshan.”
Jin Li waved his hand: “Hey, Kunshan is also Shanghai!”
Lin Zhongqing could hardly imagine Fudan President saying something like Kunshan is Shanghai.
“Indeed, with direct subway access, it can indeed be considered within greater Shanghai.” Lin Zhongqing said.
“So, shouldn’t this kind of opportunity be shared a bit with students from other universities?” Jin Li revealed his true intentions.
Lin Zhongqing nodded: “Of course, we are talking with Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, many of their students are willing to work in the workshop as workers.
We are short of workshop workers, and if Fudan students are willing, we welcome them too!”
Jin Li was speechless. If I send Fudan students to your place as workers, Fudan students would probably shout on social media for Jin Li to get out.
It’s the same reason as Zhejiang University getting roasted on the Internet because the president came from Northeast.
What level is Shanghai Second Polytechnic, what level is our Fudan, can they be the same?
“Old Lin, it’s like this, I think our students are still a bit more excellent than the Second Poly students.
It’s not that working in the workshop as workers is bad, but rather, doing work with higher technical content can better realize our students’ value.
We are all Shanghai universities, we should help each other!”
Before Lin Zhongqing could speak after Jin Li finished, Tongji President Chen Jie said faintly from the side: “What about us?
We also want some internship positions.”
Jin Li said: “See, Tongji students are very suitable for the workshop, they can even do plastering work very well, they would definitely do better in the workshop than Second Poly students!
Our students are still more suitable for work with higher difficulty.”
Chen Jie glanced at Jin Li and didn’t want to engage.
As for why the president of Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, at the bottom of the food chain in their dialogue, didn’t retort.
Because he was sitting in the back and couldn’t hear the conversation of Jiaotong University, Fudan, and Tongji, Shanghai’s top 3.
“I’ll consider it.” Lin Zhongqing said: “After all, Apollo Technology is not our Shanghai university-enterprise.
I need to discuss with Professor Lin.
I must consider the actual situation of the school and the company.
Currently, the company is still in the development stage with limited resources. We need to ensure the quality and quantity of internships for our own students.
If opened to other schools, it might affect our students’ opportunities.
Positions like workshop workers are unlimited in number, come if you want, minimum three months.
If you are willing, I can agree right now.”
He didn’t want to agree at all, planning to use the delaying tactic.
But he didn’t expect Chen Jie to say: “Tongji will do it!”
Jin Li was stunned: “No, Old Chen, you’ll do this?
I see Douyin didn’t lie!”
Chen Jie knew what Jin Li’s subtext was, and knew what Douyin was; the other party forwarded him a short video on WeChat mocking Tongji students, saying Tongji was built on civil engineering, born workhorses.
“We Tongji are willing.” He emphasized again.
After all, in his view, going to the workshop as a worker is also resume experience, undignified or not, isn’t civil engineering going to China State Construction also undignified?
Who says going to the front-line workshop is definitely bad?
Better to have it than not.
Lin Zhongqing looked at him and nodded: “Old Chen, good, no problem.”
Jin Li hurriedly asked: “What about us?”
Lin Zhongqing insisted: “I’ll go back and discuss.”
That is now, by the time half a year later manned spaceflight and space docking are achieved.
Fudan students wanting to come to the workshop as workers will have no spots left.
No need for interns at all.
This won’t hinder Lin Ran from continuing to push the work.
Launching a Burning No. 1 is just the beginning.
Just getting started.
“Hey, Professor is here, please sit, please sit.
Let me tell you some good news.”
After Shanghai Sci-Tech Investment invested in Apollo Technology, Song Nanping was transferred from the investment department minister of Shanghai Sci-Tech Investment to Apollo Technology as CEO, responsible for daily operations management.
Lin Ran is Chairman and Chief Technology Officer.
Lin Ran appreciates him very much because he does things very properly, managing the enterprise in good order.
The entire structure, personnel, and finances are very orderly under Song Nanping.
This is very necessary for a swarm-structured company.
Lin Ran sees himself as the Queen Bee, and Song Nanping as the hive that keeps the swarm in order, style similar to his assistant Hugh Drewden at NASA.
“Old Song, what good news?” Lin Ran said.
“China Aerospace replied, they are willing to approve the F-1 and J-1 projects.” Song Nanping said.
Lin Ran nodded, “This is good news. Since that’s the case, I will have little time in Shanghai later. I must personally oversee the manufacturing of these two engines.
Old Song, Shanghai side will need you to take more care.”
Engines are of utmost importance.
Especially replicating Saturn V, even though it’s replication, Saturn V has only 5 F-1 engines in parallel.
But this is Saturn V after all, a single engine’s sea-level thrust is a full 1.5 million pounds, equivalent to 680.39 tons.
What concept is this.
Five in parallel, if one is not done well, the firepower imbalance of the five engines is too prone to problems.
Moreover, for China’s replication, there are many key technical points that require Lin Ran to personally oversee on site.
This was agreed beforehand. Song Nanping nodded: “General Manager Lin, I will help you manage this side well.”
Lin Ran said: “Including control of some progress aspects, online meetings.
Now the company has money on the books, convert outsourcing to formal employees where appropriate, no need to save this money.
For interns with good performance, we can pre-appoint them in advance.
From a long-term perspective, we at least need to develop into an enterprise with tens of thousands of people, now is the time to select good seedlings.
Also, you know my requirements.”
Song Nanping said: “Of course I know, execution is the top priority.”
The swarm is like that.
Lin Ran said: “Then I’m relieved.”
Song Nanping continued: “General Manager Lin, finally, there’s one more thing, someone wants to see you.
You’d better prepare in advance, we depart at five o’clock, you need to have dinner with him.
A car will pick you up downstairs on time at five.”
Song Nanping didn’t ask if you go or not, tone very polite, but content all non-refusable.
Lin Ran roughly guessed who it is.
In Shanghai territory.
So, Washington’s power comes from position, if you’re not in that position, you go to enterprises to make money, that’s the so-called revolving door between politics and business.
But Yanjing is not.
Yanjing’s power comes from the person.
As long as the person is there, even without any position, his power is incomparable to those with positions.
“Good, I know.” Lin Ran nodded.
Song Nanping continued: “General Manager Lin, if you perform well in this interview, we can have much less trouble later.”
Lin Ran grinned: “I know, is it that someone demands we hand over our simulation methods?”
Song Nanping hesitated to speak.
Lin Ran waved his hand, “Good, got it, you go busy.”
Lin Ran is an old Shanghai hand.
Not a native old Shanghai person, but studied university here for four years, he’s been to many places in Shanghai.
The famous Hengshan Hotel he naturally knows, next to Hengshan Park, Fudan’s Fenglin campus is just one street away.
Shanghai’s best Huashan, Huadong, and Zhongshan hospitals are all nearby.
But he never knew before that this place has a courtyard, which looks like part of Hengshan Hotel from outside, but has independent entrance and exit.
It has a feeling of tranquility amid the hustle and bustle.
“Professor Lin, indeed young and promising, I’ve heard of you. I watched the entire live broadcast of your rocket launch success this time, solving multiple engines in parallel in half a year, very amazing!
I’m very happy, want to hear your story in person.”
The other’s voice was very low, but Lin Ran could still hear the excitement.
“From a technical perspective, it’s not difficult, just seven engines.
America’s Starship uses 33 Merlin engines in parallel, we’re just getting started.”
Lin Ran was very calm, not excited at all.
After all, 1960s, who hasn’t seen it.
Now meeting celebrities, just a feeling inside like oh, it’s him, and that’s it.
“After all, resonance in multiple engines in parallel has always been a big problem.
Back then when they reported to me, they said the V1 missile used attenuation for shock absorption, and to reduce weight, developed active shock absorption technology.
Active shock absorption is installing a double-acting short-stroke piston on the connecting rod of the rocket engine. By rotating the valve, control hydraulic alternation on both ends of the piston, hydraulic magnitude controlled by pressure regulator, producing force same frequency as engine vibration but opposite phase, thus achieving shock absorption.
Saying our missiles also need to develop similar technology.”
The other’s spirit is very good, especially when talking about technical details, reports heard many years ago come effortlessly.
Lin Ran nodded: “You’re right.
When multiple rocket engines are in parallel, if adjacent engines have the same vibration frequency and phase, this shock absorption system becomes the vibration source from the adjacent engine.
To reduce influence, a certain distance must be maintained between engines.
The Americans’ Saturn V rocket used an engine outward displacement design to make engine spacing larger.
The N1 rocket first stage also used a top-small bottom-large design to ensure sufficient distance between inner and outer circle engines, though adjacent engines are still close.
But we temporarily don’t involve using active shock absorption to avoid resonance.
Structural design is sufficient at the current stage.”
The other enthusiastically discussed many technical issues with him.
Then asked: “Professor Lin, can you really complete the moon landing this year?
This is what an old man like me cares about most.”
Lin Ran nodded: “I think we can.
In July this year, we will complete the first manned spaceflight, in August the first aerial handshake.
In September, send the probe to space, expected moon landing in December.”
Lin Ran pointed to the calendar hanging on the wall.
Finally he said:
“Whether specifically possible, it’s determined by many factors.
But I have full confidence.”
