Have you ever heard the saying, "With enough power, even a brick can fly"?

Hearing Lv Yongchang's words, before Hong Qiming could react, Cao Liangcai beside him couldn't help exclaiming.

"Ten Hall propulsion units?"

"Didn't we say that five propulsion units would be enough before?!"

"Hmm?" Hong Qiming slightly narrowed his eyes and looked at Lv Yongchang with a strange expression.

"Yongchang, you can't talk nonsense about this. If the councilor blames me later, I can't take the blame!"

Lv Yongchang shook his head with a bitter smile and quickly started to explain.

"At first, our plan was indeed to install five Hall propulsion units.

A thrust of fifty tons, although not comparable to large passenger aircraft like the Boeing 747, is already sufficient for a smaller - sized spaceplane.

It can even be said to be more than enough."

The doubt in Hong Qiming's eyes grew stronger, "Then why..."

Lv Yongchang pondered for a moment and then said, "In the original design, the maximum flight altitude of the first - generation spaceplane was within 2,000 kilometers, that is, the Earth's low - Earth orbit.

Later, I thought it over carefully. Since we're going to build a spaceplane, why not make it the best?

We might as well double the number of Hall propulsion units and enlarge the aircraft's framework a bit.

Although the manufacturing difficulty might increase slightly, the performance of this first - generation spaceplane will be significantly improved!"

"According to calculations, this spaceplane will be able to take off directly from the ground and fly to the moon.

The fuel it carries will be enough to support two round - trips between the Earth and the moon!"

Hong Qiming took a sharp breath!

Goodness!

What was he hearing?!

Take off directly to the moon? And be able to make two round - trips?!

Looking at the wide - eyed Academician Cao Liangcai beside him, Hong Qiming suddenly felt that he was a bit out of control of the situation.

"Wait, wait!"

"Professor Lv, are you sure these are verified data?"

Seeing Lv Yongchang nod affirmatively, Hong Qiming's pupils slightly contracted, and then he directly reached into his pocket and took out his phone.

"Wait a moment. I need to report the situation to the councilor!"

...

A few minutes later, Hong Qiming hung up the phone with a complicated expression.

"What did the councilor say?"

Lv Yongchang asked Hong Qiming curiously.

Facing Lv Yongchang's question, Hong Qiming glanced at him with a strange expression and then slowly shook his head.

"I really don't know what magic potion you gave the councilor.

Councilor Li told me to fully cooperate with your research plan. Just say if you need anything."

Lv Yongchang was slightly taken aback, as if he thought of something.

His eyes flickered, and he directly said, "Minister Hong, speaking of which, I really have a difficulty that needs your help!"

Hong Qiming's voice suddenly paused, and his expression became even more strange.

"Go ahead, but I have to say in advance that I won't do anything against the principles!"

Lv Yongchang: "..."

He touched the tip of his nose with a bitter smile and said resentfully, "Minister Hong, you think too highly of me. I wouldn't dare to do anything against the principles either!"

"Getting back to the point." Lv Yongchang's expression became more serious, "The first - generation spaceplane lacks three pilots!"

"Pilots?"

Hong Qiming waved his hand indifferently, "That's a minor issue.

I'll just take you to the air force brigade to pick some people later!"

To Hong Qiming's surprise, Lv Yongchang shook his head and refused his proposal, "Minister Hong, I'm afraid that won't work!"

"The requirements for spaceplane pilots are higher. I'm afraid the air force brigade... can't meet its requirements."

Hearing Lv Yongchang's words, a look of astonishment flashed across Hong Qiming's face.

What the hell?

Even the pilots of the air force brigade couldn't meet the requirements?

He looked at Lv Yongchang in surprise, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Yongchang, do you not know much about the pilots in the air force brigade?

If ordinary pilots can't meet the requirements, you can just pick those ace pilots with the Golden Helmet award.

Don't worry, the skills of those pilots are definitely excellent!"

Lv Yongchang shook his head with a bitter smile, "It's not a matter of flying skills."

"Hmm?" Hong Qiming was even more confused.

"According to my anticipation, this spaceplane needs to carry out multiple flight missions to the moon.

In my opinion, flying skills are a secondary option." Lv Yongchang said meaningfully, "Adequate space - flight experience is what spaceplane pilots need the most!"

Unlike ordinary aircraft within the atmosphere, the spaceplane's powerful power can easily handle most unexpected situations within the atmosphere.

After all, as an old saying goes, with enough power, even a brick can fly!

What aerodynamics? It doesn't exist!

As long as the power is strong enough, even a brick can be flown out of the solar system!

Moreover, during the mission - execution process of the spaceplane, most of the time it is outside the Earth's geosynchronous orbit.

Therefore, adequate space - flight experience has become one of the necessary conditions for spaceplane pilots!

After listening to Lv Yongchang's explanation, Hong Qiming nodded slightly.

So that's how it is!

"In that case, I'll go to the China Astronaut Research and Training Center to take a look for you.

I'll find three astronauts who have been to space for you. Will that work?"

Hearing Hong Qiming's words, Lv Yongchang pondered for a moment and then slowly shook his head, "I'm afraid it still won't work."

"Minister Hong, don't forget that this spaceplane is not a rocket. The pilots must also be able to handle flight missions within the atmosphere."

Hong Qiming clicked his tongue softly.

This was troublesome.

Not only had to be proficient in flight skills within the atmosphere, but also have sufficient space - flight experience...

And also meet a series of other requirements such as age and physical condition...

Although he hadn't made any investigations, Hong Qiming was still certain.

China probably couldn't find talents who met these standards.

Not just in China, probably it would be very difficult to find such talents anywhere on Earth!

Hong Qiming's eyes flickered, and he said softly, "How about... I pick three astronauts and send them to the air force base for training for a while?"

Lv Yongchang's eyes suddenly lit up.

This was a good idea!

But then a concern came to his mind.

"How long will the training at the air force base probably take?"

Hong Qiming frowned tightly and slowly shook his head, "I'm not very clear about this either.

I estimate... it will probably take half a year to a year!"

"No! It's too slow!"

Lv Yongchang frowned and glanced at the calendar beside him.

It was April 3rd.

"Give them at most one month of training time!" Lv Yongchang said firmly, "In one month, I estimate that China's first spaceplane can also be manufactured!"