CHAPTER 1872: CHAPTER 979: LANDING ON MARS—WE’RE GETTING INVOLVED, TOO (PART 2)

Ding Yue briefly explained the situation to his sister, Ding Xiaoyou.

"Hmm."

Ding Yue thought for a moment and then shook his head slightly, saying, "Well, I think the timing isn’t mature yet. Nuclear power engine technology can be safely used on any equipment on Earth, such as nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, and even, after optimizing the related technology, it could be used to create nuclear-powered fighter jets and such without any problems. But when it comes to space exploration, it’s not just limited to Earth. The harsh environment of outer space, I think you’re more aware of than I am, right?"

"So, is nuclear power engine technology still unsuitable for outer space?"

Vice Deputy Chen asked seriously.

"Currently, it seems that way. In outer space, the uncertainty of nuclear power engine technology is too high, which could easily lead to a nuclear accident crisis, then..."

Ding Xiaoyou didn’t finish her sentence.

But Vice Deputy Chen already understood what she meant.

"I personally feel that for us humans using nuclear power in outer space, nuclear fusion is more suitable." Ding Xiaoyou mumbled.

Vice Deputy Chen also agreed with Ding Xiaoyou, that nuclear fusion is indeed more suitable.

However.

Nuclear fusion isn’t that easy.

Nowadays, humans are still using fuel technology.

"But I can choose to research in the direction of heavy fusion technology." Ding Xiaoyou touched her chin and mumbled, "Although heavy fusion technology is less efficient compared to fusion like tritium-deuterium, it’s not impossible to achieve in a certain time frame in the future."

"Heavy fusion technology?"

Vice Deputy Chen listened and immediately asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Simply put, it’s like burning rocks." Ding Xiaoyou briefly explained, "Heavy fusion technology could achieve about five percent of the efficiency of controlled tritium-deuterium nuclear fusion, of course, assuming it can be successfully developed. Director Chen, have you watched ’Wandering Earth’?"

"Yes, the sci-fi movie by your Feiyue Media?"

Vice Deputy Chen nodded.

"Exactly!"

Ding Xiaoyou nodded and said, "In the movie, humanity used heavy fusion technology on a large scale. Although it was portrayed in a movie, it might not be impossible to achieve in reality."

"Xiaoyou, can you research heavy fusion technology?"

Ding Yue was also quite curious, as his sister Ding Xiaoyou’s research on the relevant technology and engines of nuclear fission has basically reached its limit. For fusion, besides the previously researched cold fusion, going forward, is it possible to advance toward controlled nuclear fusion?

But clearly, Ding Yue hasn’t unlocked the controlled nuclear fusion technology in his University System yet, as this technology is too important and can genuinely change the fate of human civilization. The conditions for unlocking it are quite stringent.

However, heavy fusion technology is different.

"It’s possible, but currently it’s still relatively vague and blank." Ding Xiaoyou nodded, answering her brother Ding Yue’s question.

"No problem, I trust you and your team. Give it a try, funding, equipment, everything, you don’t need to worry." Ding Yue wanted his sister Ding Xiaoyou to give it a shot.

If they can really crack heavy fusion technology, then humanity, before mastering controlled nuclear fusion, can use heavy fusion technology to enter outer space ahead of time, and at least develop the resources of planets within the solar system.

To know.

Whether it’s the Moon, Mars, or Venus, and even Jupiter’s moon Europa, Saturn Titan, Titan Star, and a series of planets and planetary satellites, all have great development value.

However, the planet humanity currently wants to land on and establish a base, is naturally Mars.

America is already implementing plans for Mars landing and base establishment, and Eckx from Space Exploration Technology Company is also actively taking action.

Fortunately, this project can’t be achieved in just a year or two, and for Space Exploration Technology Company, it may even be difficult to complete in ten years or eight years.

This gives Ding Yue’s Feiyue Aerospace an opportunity to catch up.

As long as there’s an opportunity to catch up, Mars cannot be monopolized by America alone. Isn’t it that Ding Yue’s Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace have already developed rocket recovery technology and successfully experimented with it?

"Alright."

Ding Xiaoyou agreed without a second thought.

The next research direction will be heavy fusion technology, because if they break through heavy fusion technology, it will have certain positive implications for controlled nuclear fusion in the future.

"Principal Ding, it’s good that your private enterprise can use funds in the fields they want to research."

Vice Deputy Chen remarked sincerely.

"Well, the money is earned from our other technology industries, so naturally it should be used for new technology development, right?"

Ding Yue smiled and said, "In the future, our Feiyue Group will invest a large amount of capital annually in research across various technological fields. Only this way can we fulfill our responsibilities as a private enterprise."

"Principal Ding, you have a high level of ideological awareness."

Vice Deputy Chen praised.

Compared with other domestic companies claiming to be tech companies, Feiyue Group is indeed a breath of fresh air.

Other tech companies, like Penguin Group and Arlibaba Group, are always thinking about how to exploit consumers, focused only on making money, and sometimes engage in rather unscrupulous behavior.

But Feiyue Group is different. The money Feiyue Group makes gets invested into more fields of technology research and development.

Just like nuclear power engine technology, chip technology, and now the heavy fusion technology that Ding Yue promised his sister Ding Xiaoyou, which one doesn’t require a lot of financial support?

"This is what we should do."

Ding Yue said modestly.

"By the way, Principal Ding, tell me, does your Feiyue Aerospace have plans to land on Mars in the future?"

Vice Deputy Chen suddenly asked seriously.

"Mars is naturally a planet we need to explore, and Mars actually has certain development value. Isn’t Space Exploration Technology Company engaged in Mars exploration? In that case, we must do it too, can’t fall behind."

Ding Yue answered Vice Deputy Chen’s question in great detail.

In these matters, there’s no need to hide. Feiyue Aerospace’s future plans can be openly shared with the Space Administration to enable better collaboration in the future. With better cooperation, it’s beneficial for both sides.

For example, the recent rocket recovery technology experiment earned Feiyue Aerospace and Mist City Arts and Science University one or two more years of time, isn’t that a good thing?

"Yes, we should also engage in Mars landing."

Vice Deputy Chen said emotionally.

"We can dive deeper into cooperation."

Ding Yue said with a smile.

After all, the Space Administration has a space station, which is a huge advantage, because currently, there are very few who have a space station. Feiyue Aerospace doesn’t have its own space station, and a space station is quite important for Mars landing.

"That’s what I think too."

Vice Deputy Chen said with a smile, "Currently, our Space Administration has many areas to improve upon in the Mars landing exploration plans, and I think your Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace can complement our Space Administration, and we will fully support your Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace in the Mars landing exploration mission."

"Thank you, Director Chen."

Ding Yue expressed gratitude for Vice Deputy Chen’s sincere words.

Now, the Mist City Arts and Science University’s aerospace program, Feiyue Aerospace, and the Space Administration are in an inseparable relationship.

Compared to the other party, each has its own advantages.

The advantage of Mist City Arts and Science University, Feiyue Aerospace is that they produce many top talents in the aerospace technology field each year, and they are relatively fast and successful in developing advanced aerospace technologies.

The advantage of the Space Administration is naturally its solid foundation, large scale, and strong operability.