For rockets, the higher the number of stages, the higher the level. In order to explore the universe, rockets are needed. This was put forward by the "father of space" Qi olkovsky.
The performance of the rocket can be measured by a concept called "mass ratio", which refers to the ratio of the original mass of the rocket to the final mass of the rocket.
In short, the final load to be transported by the rocket is certain, but the rocket shell occupies more mass. In this case, the best way is to lighten the shell. In the process of flight, part of it will be discarded after a period of flight, which can improve the final speed of the rocket.
Therefore, today's rockets are multi-stage, but the more stages, the better. If there are too many stages, the connection and separation mechanism between each stage will increase accordingly, which will affect the overall strength of the rocket and bring some complex technical problems.
Therefore, generally speaking, rockets are two-stage or three-stage, just like the current long march rocket. Long March 2 is a two-stage rocket used to launch low earth orbit satellites, and Long March 3 is a three-stage rocket used to launch synchronous satellites.
However, with the improvement of rocket technology, single-stage rockets are now being developed. For example, the Long March 5 Series rockets currently planned by our side need only one stage because they use advanced liquid oxygen kerosene engines.
If a large mass load is transported, several boosters will be bundled to form a one-and-a-half-stage configuration. For synchronous orbit, it is enough to add an upper stage to form two stages.
However, this refers to liquid rockets. For solid rockets, their own thrust is not high. Moreover, unlike liquid rockets, the propellant is directly installed in the shell. The more it burns, the deeper it goes into the shell. In this case, the thrust will be insufficient for too long. Therefore, multi-stage rockets are needed.
If you want to launch a small satellite, multistage solid rocket is enough.
However, the more the number of stages, the longer the rocket will be. In this way, the rocket will face another terrible problem, that is, resonance.
There are few four-stage liquid rockets in the world. Just because it is too long, there will be a problem of mechanical resonance in flight, resulting in the disintegration of the rocket in flight.
"If our rockets are too long, will there be problems?" Qin Guan asked.
Hearing Qin Guan's question, old Wang's face immediately showed a surprised expression: "Mr. Qin, you are indeed an expert in this field. Yes, if the rocket is too long, there will be such problems, but this is also different. Our solid rocket is destined to be small, for example, the total length is only 20 meters. In this case, there is absolutely no problem with the strength of the rocket."
Rockets are big, such as long March 2, which is 50-60 meters long. Saturn 5 rockets are often hundreds of meters, but what about small solid rockets? If you launch a load of hundreds of kilograms, you need a 20 meter rocket.
While Wang Lao was talking, Qin Guan had already read all the data of the Long March 11 from the weapons data cemetery. This kind of rocket is indeed quite pocket. The total length of the rocket is 20.8 meters, the maximum diameter of the arrow body is 2.0 meters, the weight is 57.6 tons, and the takeoff thrust is 120 tons. The SSO carrying capacity of the rocket is 400 kg and the Leo carrying capacity is 700 kg.
It can be said that this kind of rocket is very small and is completely prepared for launching small rockets.
"Solid rockets have many advantages. We can even produce them in advance and reserve them. When necessary, they can be directly launched after testing," Qin continued.
The process of liquid rocket is quite complex. It often takes several months to prepare for a launch, while solid rocket only takes a few hours.
Just look at the submarine launched ballistic missile. This kind of missile can be launched at any time. It is quite convenient. When Xiong Guo comes to future generations, he even launches satellites directly with their retired ballistic missiles.
When he thought of this, Qin Guan suddenly remembered that if it was such a small missile, it would have another advantage. It could be launched from an offshore platform.
In order to make the best use of the linear speed of the earth's rotation, at the suggestion of Qin Guan, a fourth launch site was built on Hainan Island. This launch site is the southernmost of the motherland. However, it is still not close to the south. The best thing is that it is on the equator. Even if it is not on the equator, it is even closer to the south in those sea areas where reclamation has begun.
If it is a large rocket, it will face problems such as transportation, but this solid rocket is not afraid. It can be directly installed on the platform, dragged over, erected and launched.
"Mr. Wang, therefore, we can also carry out launching experiments on marine mobile platforms," Qin Guan said to Mr. Wang.
Small Rockets have limited thrust and the linear speed of the earth's rotation. If they can be used, they should be used as much as possible. Now Qin Guan said so, old Wang immediately understood Qin Guan's plan and clapped his hands: "yes, President Qin, what you said is very reasonable. We need to find those comrades engaged in Dongfeng 21, learn from their technology, and we can achieve results soon."
In fact, the Long March 11 rocket of later generations is also determined by many factors. The technical level of this rocket has exceeded Dongfeng 31 or even Dongfeng 41.
Wang is always serious. Now there is demand in the international market and it is also of military significance. When there is a sudden outbreak of war or any natural disaster, it is necessary to temporarily launch reconnaissance satellites. At this time, ordinary satellite launch sites are subject to time and meteorological restrictions, which is easy to cause accidents. However, this kind of small rockets is different and stored, It can be used at any time. Moreover, when needed, it can even fight without any launch site. In essence, it is no different from those Mobile launched ballistic missiles. This convenience is not possessed by any other rocket.
This kind of rocket is worth doing.
Of course, the military's missiles do not hesitate to cost. Small rockets like our own must not be expensive if they want to occupy the civilian launch market. If they are too expensive, they will not be able to occupy the market. They have to be low-cost.
There are many challenges, but it is definitely worth trying. Rockets should not only be a project with huge investment, but also have output!
Mr. Wang was still seriously considering the details. At this time, the scholar came in and said to Qin Guan, "President Qin, Western Union has contacted us. Their marketing manager Stephen Ike is taking an airliner and plans to come and talk with us."