Chapter 247: The hidden danger was eliminated in just a few minutes!

"Engaging in aerospace, there's no room for luck!" Xie Lao remained firm: "Since a problem appeared during testing, we must inspect it; we absolutely cannot leave the problem to the launch mission. If a problem occurs, it will deal a major blow to the aerospace cause!"

"One airplane accident could severely damage the reputation of an entire airline; one failed aerospace launch could also make people doubt this nation's aerospace capability."

"Now, the chief designer of the Long March 3 rocket, Xie Lao, firmly refuses to launch."

"Meanwhile, the launch commander on site, Lao Luo, holds a different view."

"After this fault was discovered, it immediately drew everyone's attention; after repeated tests several times, the problem did not reappear—what does that mean? Perhaps the test itself went wrong? Maybe the rocket itself is fine?"

"Now, just because subsequent tests found no problem, we want to tear it down and re‑inspect—isn't that overkill? The launch window is so narrow; this might delay the launch timing."

"The military is still waiting! Even the higher‑ups have introduced our satellite navigation system to foreigners; if we delay the launch, it will cause a reputation problem!"

"Just as the two were arguing nonstop, a voice came from behind."

"\"Back then, the Soviets, in order to save time, knew there was a problem yet insisted on launching the N1 rocket, causing the rocket to explode on the launch pad and killing many engineers. \""

"Both turned around and saw an acquaintance, Lin Lao, and beside him an unfamiliar young fellow; at this moment, the speaker was that young fellow."

"\"Our Oriental Aerospace absolutely cannot, for the sake of some political project, prestige project, ignore scientific laws and force a rocket launch. Lin Lao, do you agree with what I'm saying? \""

"\"Yes, aerospace engineering requires utmost caution; you're right. \" Lin Lao nodded: \"But Lao Luo just said it might have been a random mishap during testing. \""

"\"Then we must find out how this accident happened; any coincidence must be traced to its cause—whether it's a testing system issue, a rocket issue, or even a solar flare—we have to get to the root of it. In aerospace, we must dig deep. \""

"\"Well said! \" Xie Lao nodded: \"Our aerospace people must have this spirit; otherwise… hey, young fellow, what's your name? \""

"\"Ha Gong Da, Qin Miao. \""

"Qin Miao!"

"Xie Lao and Lao Luo widened their eyes, setting aside their recent dispute—they were the driving forces behind the Long March 3 and the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre project!"

"According to the original plan, the first geostationary satellite would launch in 1984; the progress of Long March 3 and the Xichang Centre was slow, but later, with the Northern Dipper project, its supporting subsystems developed rapidly!"

"Qin Miao's reputation was also known among aerospace people; of course, only a few knew about his joint project with someone named Sha, and they admired Qin Miao immensely—only he could secure a project of that level!"

"\"Heroes have always emerged from youth! \""

"\"Cough cough, gentlemen, what exactly is the fault we need to resolve now? Could you tell me? \""

"Qin Miao originally wanted to say, 'I'm already past eighteen, I'm married—how am I still considered a youth?' But then he recalled another saying, 'A man remains youthful till death,' so he thought, 'Let it be; it's fine.'"

"Still, we need to solve the problem quickly."

"\"During assembly we ran three tests, all normal; after transport to the launch pad we ran another test and found an error signal fed back from the third‑stage ignition system, but upon further checking the signal disappeared. \" Lao Luo said: \"We think this signal was just a random error. \""

"Qin Miao shook his head: \"No, no, it's not a random error; there must be a fault. Could you show me the circuit diagram of the third‑stage ignition system? \""

"\"This... \""

"\"Wait, I'll go get it! \""

"The sky was clear, a gentle breeze blew; a several‑meter‑long drawing was spread on the ground beside the launch tower. Qin Miao glanced at it a few times and felt his scalp tingle."

"Vacuum tubes, relays…… this circuitry…… is hopelessly outdated!"

"What era is this now? Large‑scale integrated circuits have appeared, yet we still use old‑style circuitry—how could it not fail?"

"But…… he still had to pretend to examine it for a while, then he found a cable: \"I think there may be a problem here; we need to strip the rocket's skin, pull out this cable, and inspect the connector. \""

"\"Are you sure? \" Lao Luo still didn't believe it."

"\"This is the circuit that transmits the ignition signal to the engine; if this circuit experiences signal disturbance, it could show up in the test system—we need to open it up and look! \" Xie Lao said: \"Go ahead and take it apart; if anything happens, I'll take responsibility. \""

"A group of technicians headed toward the launch tower's elevator; Qin Miao followed, saying: \"Wait for me, I want to have a look too! \""

"Back then, China's ballistic missiles started with the East Wind‑1 and went all the way to East Wind‑5, achieving the leap from short‑range to intercontinental ballistic missiles; East Wind‑4 was transformed into the Long March 1 rocket, which successfully launched the East Is Red satellite, and East Wind‑5 was improved into the Long March 2."

"The Long March 3 before us was built on the Long March 2 foundation with an added third stage—it's what lets it reach geosynchronous orbit, all thanks to that third stage! When it was being developed, the engine‑in‑charge, Ren Lao, overruled opposition and adopted the liquid hydrogen‑liquid oxygen engine project, aiming for multiple ignitions in space."

"And Qin Miao also knew that in history, the first launch of the Long March 3 in 1984 saw the third stage fail to reignite in space, leaving the synchronous satellite stranded in an elliptical orbit, unable to enter the correct path—launch failed; as for the cause……"

"Clatter!"

"The cable was pulled out; when the connector was opened, several excess slag droplets fell out!"

"It was exactly these slag droplets that caused the Long March 3 launch failure back then!"

"Now, this slag has finally been found!"

"\"Indeed there is a problem; in outer space, under weightlessness, these slag droplets will cause the engine ignition to fail! \" Xie Lao took a deep breath: \"Thank goodness we found it in advance! We've eliminated a major hidden danger! \""

"\"We still need to improve production quality! \" Lao Luo remarked on the side: \"Originally, if weld slag was spotted during welding and cleaned up right away, that would have been enough, but in recent years society has become restless; the workers at this rocket factory, I'm afraid……\""

"\"Comrade Qin Miao, thank you so much this time—I never expected you to find the fault in just a few minutes… huh, what are you looking at? \""

"\"Xie Lao, I still have some new ideas—improving this liquid hydrogen‑liquid oxygen engine to boost its reignition capability in space, though I'm not sure whether it's mature yet……\""