After hearing Lu Yongchang's words, Hong Qiming had no reaction yet, but Cao Liangcai on the side could not help but exclaimed.
"Ten Hall propulsion units?"
"Didn't we say earlier that five propulsion units would be enough?!"
"Hmm?" Hong Qiming narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Lu Yongchang with a strange expression.
"Yongchang, you can't talk nonsense about this. If the chairman of the parliament blames me, I won't be able to take it!"
Lu Yongchang smiled bitterly, shook his head, and hurriedly explained.
"Initially our plan was indeed to install five Hall propulsion units."
"Although the thrust of 50 tons is not as strong as that of large passenger aircraft such as the Boeing 747, it is enough for a smaller aerospace plane."
"It can even be said to be more than enough."
Hong Qiming's eyes were filled with more doubt: "Then why..."
Lu Yongchang pondered for a moment and then said, "In the original design, the maximum flight altitude of the first-generation aerospace plane was within 2,000 kilometers, which is the Earth's low-Earth orbit."
"Then I thought about it carefully. Since I was going to build an aerospace plane, why not just build the best one?"
"It would be better to double the number of Hall propulsion units and enlarge the aircraft frame."
"Although the manufacturing difficulty may increase slightly, the performance of this first-generation aerospace plane will be greatly improved!"
"According to calculations, this space plane will be able to take off directly from the ground and head to the moon."
"The fuel it carries will be enough to support two round trips to the moon!"
Hong Qiming took a sudden breath of cold air!
Good job!
What did he hear?!
Take off directly to the moon? And go back and forth twice?!
Looking at the wide-open eyes of Academician Cao Liangcai, Hong Qiming suddenly felt that he was losing control of the situation.
"Wait, wait!"
"Professor Lu, are you sure that what you said is verified data?"
Seeing Lu Yongchang nod in affirmation, Hong Qiming's pupils shrank slightly, and then he reached into his pocket and took out his cell phone.
"Wait a moment, I need to report the situation to the Councillor!"
…
A few minutes later, Hong Qiming hung up the phone with a complicated expression.
"What did the Councillor say?"
Lu Yongchang asked Hong Qiming with curiosity.
In response to Lu Yongchang's question, Hong Qiming glanced at him strangely, then slowly shook his head.
"I really don't know what kind of magic potion you gave to the chairman of the council."
"Councilman Li asked me to fully cooperate with your research plan. Please let me know if you need anything."
Lu Yongchang's expression was slightly startled, as if he had thought of something.
His eyes moved slightly, and he said directly: "Minister Hong, so, I really have a problem that I need your help with!"
Hong Qiming's voice suddenly paused and his expression became more and more strange.
"You can say it, but I have to tell you in advance that we won't do anything that violates our principles!"
Lu Yongchang: "…"
He smiled bitterly, touched the tip of his nose with his hand, and said unhappily: "Minister Hong, you think too highly of me. I dare not do anything that violates the principles!"
"Let's get back to the topic." Lu Yongchang's expression became more serious. "The first generation of aerospace plane is short of three pilots!"
"The driver?"
Hong Qiming waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "This is a small matter."
"Then I'll take you directly to the Air Force Brigade to pick people!"
To Hong Qiming's surprise, Lu Yongchang shook his head and rejected his proposal: "Minister Hong, I'm afraid this won't work!"
"The requirements for spaceplane pilots are higher, and I'm afraid the Air Force Brigade...can't meet its requirements."
When Hong Qiming heard Lu Yongchang's words, a look of surprise flashed across his face.
What the hell?
The pilots of the Air Force Brigade cannot meet the requirements?
He glanced at Lu Yongchang in surprise, and after a moment's silence, he said, "Yongchang, don't you know the pilots in the Air Force Brigade?"
"If ordinary pilots can't meet your requirements, you can always pick those golden helmet ace pilots!"
"Don't worry, those pilots are absolutely skilled!"
Lu Yongchang smiled bitterly and shook his head: "It's not a problem of flying skills."
"Hmm?" Hong Qiming became more and more confused.
"According to my expectation, this space plane will need to carry out multiple missions to the moon."
"In my opinion, flying skills are a secondary option." Lv Yongchang said meaningfully, "Sufficient space flight experience is what aerospace pilots need most!"
Unlike ordinary aircraft in the atmosphere, the space plane has sufficient power to easily deal with most unexpected situations in the atmosphere.
After all, there is an old saying that goes, "With great strength, bricks can fly!"
Aerodynamics, that doesn't exist!
As long as the power is strong enough, even a brick can fly you out of the solar system!
In addition, the aerospace shuttle spends most of its time outside the geosynchronous orbit during its mission.
Therefore, sufficient space flight experience has become one of the necessary conditions for aerospace plane pilots!
After listening to Lu Yongchang's explanation, Hong Qiming nodded slightly.
I see!
"In that case, I'll go to the Xia Country Astronaut Research and Training Center to help you."
"I'll help you find three astronauts who have been to space, is that okay?"
Hearing Hong Qiming's words, Lu Yongchang pondered for a moment and slowly shook his head: "I'm afraid it's not possible yet."
"Minister Hong, don't forget that this aerospace plane is not a rocket. The pilot must also take into account the flight mission within the atmosphere."
Hong Qiming let out a light sigh.
This is troublesome.
It is necessary to master the flight skills within the atmosphere and have sufficient space flight experience...
There are also a series of other age and physical fitness requirements...
Although he has not conducted an investigation, Hong Qiming can still make a conclusion.
Xiaguo probably can't find talent that meets this standard.
Not to mention Xia Country, it is probably difficult to find such talents on the entire earth!
Hong Qiming's eyes moved slightly, and he said softly: "How about... I pick three astronauts and send them to the 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 came to his mind.
"How long will this air force base training take?"
Hong Qiming frowned and shook his head slowly: "I am not very clear about this aspect either."
"I estimate... it will take half a year to a year!"
"No! It's too slow!"
Lu Yongchang frowned and glanced at the calendar next to him.
April 3rd.
"Give them a month of training at most!" Lu Yongchang said firmly, "After a month, I estimate that Xia Country's first aerospace plane can be manufactured!"