The Kuznetsov Design Bureau is located in Samara Oblast, where there are many aerospace companies. After the collapse of the Red Empire, these companies could only stay together and form the Samara "labor" scientific research and production complex.

However, the glory of the Red Empire has passed, many of their research and development plans have been terminated, and their products are very few. In terms of rocket engines, they cannot compete with the Power Machinery Research and Production Consortium, which has products such as the RD-170.

Even though they are the most powerful rocket engine in the world, they cannot compete with other competitors in terms of jet engines. They can only make ends meet by relying on some low-volume products.

The batch of stock engines originally sold to Mingzhou Group solved their urgent need and made a lot of money.

Although Mingzhou Group resold it and made more money, they couldn't envy it. If it hadn't been for the operation of Mingzhou Group, they might not have been able to sell it at all. They were already very happy with that money.

Now, Mingzhou Group is coming to inspect again, how can they not be excited? They are looking forward to Mingzhou Group spending a lot of money to make their life easier.

At the same time, Qin Tao's movements have also attracted the attention of many people.

"President Qin went to Samara, do they want to purchase a batch of NK-32 engines from there?" Some people in Moscow have already begun to doubt.

"How could he buy the NK-32 engine when he was so blatant? I wonder who dares to secretly sell the engine to them!" Another voice sounded: "Whoever sells it will be sentenced!"

"Our intelligence system discovered that Dongfang sent some people to Ermao to negotiate parts for the Tu-22M. Mr. Qin's work is indeed impeccable!"

"That's right, he is openly attracting our attention and covering the team that goes to Ermao behind the scenes. Huh, this little trick can't fool us. We have to focus on Ermao's actions and don't be fooled by Mr. Qin.

It’s gone astray!”

Mr. Qin is very powerful, and so are they. They will soon be able to see through Mr. Qin’s conspiracy, and they will never let Mr. Qin succeed!

They didn't know that Qin Tao had a motive for going to the Kuznetsov Design Bureau this time, and that Er Mao's team was the one who deceived people. True or false, this is Sun Tzu's Art of War.

Qin Tao's special plane landed at the airport near Samara, and then drove straight to the Kuznetsov Design Bureau. Along the way, Max was really not idle and was working all the time.

A man who devotes himself wholeheartedly to his work is indeed very charming. Qin Tao is also flattered. He is definitely very capable in employing people.

A group of people were waiting at the door of Kuznetsov Design Bureau. When the car stopped, Valentin came up to him: "Mr. Qin, welcome to our Kuznetsov Design Bureau for inspection! Come, I will give you

Let me introduce, this is the head of our joint production body for labor and scientific research, Mr. Smyan-Victor Ceko."

Qin Tao has been in contact with Valentin. He is an important veteran in the Kuznetsov Design Bureau, but he is not the person in charge of the entire scientific research joint production body.

, Qin Tao stretched out his hand: "Mr. Victor Ceco, I'm glad to see you. We are here for technical help this time."

Technical help?

Several people opened their eyes wide, they were here to give money!

"Please rest assured, no matter what technical requirements you put forward, we can do it." Victor Ceco nodded: "Currently, we have developed the NK-43 engine based on the NK-33 rocket engine, with a thrust of

The increase to two hundred tons will definitely better meet your needs. We hope there will be more cooperation opportunities in the aerospace industry in the future."

The NK-33 engines sold at the beginning were all in stock, so the price was cheap. The NK-43 is the latest development. If this engine is sold, it will definitely be at the normal market price.

"We are here just for the engine." Qin Tao said: "However, we are not interested in the NK-43 engine. We hope to develop a liquid oxygen methane engine."

Max felt excited for a while. This was the direction of his plan, but because of insufficient research and development funds, he did not propose this idea. Unexpectedly, Mr. Qin supported his Mars plan so much that he was now going to develop a new engine!

"Liquid oxygen methane?" Valentin asked curiously: "Mr. Qin, in all mankind's decades of aerospace history, there has never been an engine with this kind of fuel!"

The first liquid rocket, the German V-2 rocket, used alcohol and liquid oxygen. After all, there was a shortage of fuel at that time. Alcohol could be brewed from grain. Although the energy of the fuel was not high, it had to be used accordingly.

During the Cold War, there were more fuels. Toxic fuels, such as the combination of dimethylhydrazine and nitric acid, were once popular. Later, Lao Maozi began to focus on liquid oxygen and kerosene engines, while the United States focused on liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen engines. However,

No space agency has planned the use of liquid oxygen methane.

"Lao Ma, let me briefly introduce to you the benefits of this engine." Qin Tao said with a smile.

The group of people walked inside while listening to Max's introduction.

"First of all, the advantage of this engine is that it will never coke, and the engine can work multiple times. If we want to enter space at a low cost, we must use repeatable rockets. We expect that this liquid oxygen methane engine can be reused hundreds of times.

, this can greatly reduce costs.”

Reused hundreds of times? Everyone was a little surprised: "The experience of the space shuttle has told us that reused spacecraft will have many dangers. Deliberate pursuit of reuse has resulted in a greatly increased risk, which is not cost-effective."

"

"That's because the space shuttle is too complicated and the fuel it uses is not suitable. We believe that there is no problem with our choice. Moreover, our liquid oxygen methane engine has another advantage, which is that it can extract fuel from the Martian atmosphere.

Producing these two fuels is the only option for our Mars plan."

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Are you really planning to fly to Mars?" Victor Checo asked in surprise. Although this kind of words is impolite, it is also his truth.

The idea, in this day and age, of talking about flying to Mars is too far-fetched.

A few years ago, in that special era, two countries competed for the glory of landing on the moon. As a result, the Red Empire failed. The N-1 rocket exploded on the launch pad, completely burying their dream. As for the United States, although it succeeded

Yes, it was done by pooling the efforts of the whole country.

Now, a starship company affiliated with Mingzhou Group wants to use the power of private capital to land on Mars, but it sounds unreliable.

"The only goal of our Starship Company is to land on Mars, and this goal will never change." Max said: "We are going step by step now, and we believe that we will definitely reach that day.

, this is a great cause!”

The old men present were very emotional. For them, this kind of thing is unthinkable. What they are thinking about now is how to live, ideal? Only by living can they have ideals!

"So, are you going to hand over the research and development and production of liquid oxygen methane engines to us?" Victor Ceco asked excitedly. It will definitely take a long time to develop this brand-new rocket engine.

A large amount of money must be invested, and the labor, scientific research and production consortium will also gain huge benefits from this!

"No." Qin Tao shook his head.

The old men present were stunned, and they were not given R&D tasks? Then what are you doing here?

Max was also stunned, not knowing what Qin Tao meant.

"If we want to enter space at a low cost, we must reduce all costs. Therefore, the research and development and production of this liquid oxygen methane engine must be done by our starship company." Qin Tao said: "If you are interested,

If you do, you can join our R&D plan and earn a lot of R&D expenses, but we have to master a full set of technologies."

"Yes, Mr. Qin is right!" Max was very excited.

If you want to manufacture starships at low cost, you can't rely on buying engines. That's too expensive! You have to produce them yourself! After all, in Max's plan, starships are to be manufactured one by one, even within a year.

How expensive is it to produce hundreds of units without producing them yourself and just rely on buying engines?

Lao Maozi has always been very strict about the export of advanced technology. Take rocket engines as an example. Lao Maozi is not very willing to export to Dongfang. The advanced RD-170 and RD-180 engines will not be exported to Dongfang at all.

People have noticed that after entering the 21st century, Eastern rockets only rely on engines with a thrust of 120 tons.

But what about joint research and development? Will Lao Maozi restrict it?

The liquid oxygen methane engine is brand new, and Lao Maozi doesn't have it now. The Kuznetsov Design Bureau is in dire straits. If they can participate in the research and development, they can make a lot of profits, which is beneficial to them.

Benefits.

Of course, there are great benefits for Starship Company. A large number of old people go to Starship Company to develop a brand new engine. It will take several years. When the research and development is completed, will these old people be willing to go back? Just stay here.

Forget about Starship Company, the benefits, development prospects, and lofty ideals are all incomparable to the Kuznetsov Design Bureau.

"Mr. Qin, there is no precedent for this, and we may face great resistance." Victor Checo said: "In the aerospace field, we must strictly prevent the leakage of our technology."

"This project can be discussed later. We might as well start cooperation in small areas first." Qin Tao said: "For example, modify the NK-33 engine so that it can be used as the second stage of the rocket for use in outer space."

Max has been able to keep up with Mr. Qin's thinking. Mr. Qin will not reveal his trump card immediately when negotiating. He will first build a big project to fool the other party. When the other party is in trouble, he will then propose a small project, which will make it easier for the other party.

Accepted.

"Is the improved Nk-33 suitable for use in vacuum?" Victor Ceco was a little surprised: "Why do you want to use this engine in vacuum? It is more suitable to use a hydrogen-oxygen engine in vacuum."

"Of course, in order to reduce costs, all our rockets use the same type of engine to minimize costs. We cannot do an action like the Apollo moon landing plan that mobilizes national resources, so we must do everything possible.

Ways to reduce costs." Max said firmly.

What Qin Tao appreciates is this kind of work attitude. Choose a goal and then work hard to achieve it. Even if you know the road is difficult, you will never be discouraged, but will try every means!

"Okay, if it's just about modifying the NK-33, we are willing to send technical experts to help you." Victor Ceco nodded. They can still help with such a small favor.

While talking, everyone had entered the R&D building. Looking at the equipment inside, Qin Tao said in surprise: "You are still using antique computers?"

There is a row of personal computers on the desktop. The overall appearance is red. After many years of use, its surface has become a little gray and no longer so bright. Above the horizontal chassis is a screen like a 12-inch black and white TV.

, with a high bulge in the center.

"Agat-4 personal computer, produced in 1984, has similar performance to the American Apple II." Max recognized it immediately. After all, he was also a computer enthusiast when he was young, and he knew about computers from various countries.

After looking at the desktop computer, he looked at a cabinet standing in the corner: "If I'm not mistaken, that computer should be Elbrus."

"That's right, Mr. Max is so awesome. He can spot our equipment at a glance. In the 1980s, we carried out a system update here and used advanced computer systems for research and development, which greatly improved our research and development speed.

The equipment we had back then was the envy of our peers.”

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! When Qin Tao went to Ermao, he brought a batch of scientific calculators, which made the gas turbine technicians ecstatic. They used to have to rely on

Slide rule!

There are such advanced computer equipment here, which is of course very good.

Elbrus is a tall Caucasus mountain range with an altitude of 5,642 meters. It is the highest peak in the entire Red Empire and in Europe.

Lao Maozi's server is named after this, which also has commemorative significance.

This most advanced server in the entire Kuznetsov Design Bureau was developed by Lao Maozi's famous computer expert Babian. In 1978, he led the team to develop the world's first superscalar computer Elbrus-1

.

The main use of this computer is to serve the military industry, such as the development of missile systems, nuclear weapons and space programs. The Kuznetsov Design Bureau develops engines for aerospace. In the past, combustion could only be studied through a large number of experiments.
To be continued...