Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 162：Unappreciative

Jiang Fan had spent some time at the Kyoto Rocket Propulsion Base just a few days ago, and he was very familiar with the 500-ton propulsion system developed by Long Lao.
Upon observing the data displayed on the control room's screen, he immediately sensed something was amiss.
In terms of fuel, the experiment was using a larger quantity and more hydrogen atoms, suggesting that they were attempting to increase the energy output for greater thrust.
However, Jiang Fan, with the thousand-ton propulsion system blueprints from the system's rewards fresh in his mind, knew that the fuel used in a 700-ton propulsion system was vastly different from that of the 500-ton model.
Simply increasing the fuel quantity and making minor adjustments to its structure would not come close to achieving the kinetic energy required for a 700-ton thrust.
Just as he was about to inform Liu Tianhang, the chief commander, to halt the experiment,
Ge Zhicheng, seated at the control panel, issued the command.
"Fire!"
At once, one of the researchers pressed the ignition button.
The main screen displayed a rocket nozzle spewing blue flames,
and the immense thrust generated by the propulsion system caused the entire control frame to shake violently.
The nozzle of the fuel tank quickly turned red.
"Increase fuel output by 10%!"
Ge Zhicheng ordered.
A researcher promptly input the command into the control panel.
"Don't increase the output!"
A voice suddenly interrupted, it was Jiang Fan, standing next to Liu Tianhang.
Everyone in the room turned to look at him, and even Ge Zhicheng paused to regard him.
They also noticed Liu Tianhang standing beside him.
However, Ge Zhicheng made no greeting and instead addressed the researcher.
"Follow the orders!"
The researcher pressed the confirmation button without hesitation.
After all, Ge Zhicheng was the chief engineer here, and he was not going to heed the words of an unfamiliar outsider.
Liu Tianhang leaned toward Jiang Fan and whispered,
"Jiang Fan, is something wrong?"
"If I'm not mistaken, Commander Liu, they are conducting an experiment for the 700-ton propulsion system."
"A 700-ton propulsion experiment?"
Liu Tianhang was taken aback, about to approach Ge Zhicheng to question him.
But just then,
"Not good! Chief Engineer Ge, the temperature at the nozzle has reached 3,000 degrees Celsius!"
One of the monitoring technicians hurriedly reported to Ge Zhicheng.
Ge Zhicheng glanced at the nozzle display, the fuel tank's nozzle glowing a fiery red.
"It's nothing, this is within the expected range!"
Before conducting the experiment, Ge Zhicheng had already anticipated this issue, knowing that increasing fuel output would inevitably raise the temperature.
Moreover, he had treated the nozzle material to enhance its heat resistance.
But no sooner had Ge Zhicheng spoken, than the entire fuel tank inside the propulsion system trembled violently, growing increasingly unstable.
Suddenly, a blast of flame shot out, and the entire first experimental warehouse was instantly illuminated.
Jiang Fan's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the danger; the increased fuel output was destabilizing the tank. If the entire propulsion system tipped over, an explosion was likely.
Without a second thought, he dashed to the fuel control panel and swiftly pressed the emergency shutdown button.
A loud "thump" echoed through the warehouse.
Ge Zhicheng immediately gave the order,
"Stop the experiment, shut down all data commands!"
Everyone stared at the main screen, relieved to see that the "thump" had not been an explosion.
However, some leaking fuel had caught fire.
Within moments, firefighters clad in yellow gear quickly extinguished the flames.
Everyone in the room exhaled a collective sigh of relief. Had it not been for the timely intervention of this young man, the entire first experimental warehouse could have been obliterated.
Yet, Ge Zhicheng showed no gratitude toward Jiang Fan. Instead, his tone was tinged with irritation.
"Who are you? An outsider interrupting our experiment?"
At that moment, Liu Tianhang stepped forward, saying,
"This is Jiang Fan, a student of Long Lao. I invited him to assist with the propulsion research."
"Chief Engineer Ge, you owe me an explanation for what just happened."
"Commander Liu, what we were doing was an experiment for the 700-ton propulsion system. It's just that some problems occurred, but they were all anticipated!"
Hearing this, Liu Tianhang's anger flared.
"Chief Engineer Ge, you nearly blew up the entire warehouse, and you say it was anticipated?"
"If it weren't for this young man shouting and causing a disruption, how could such a situation have occurred?"
Jiang Fan was at a loss for words. He had just averted a disaster, yet the other party remained ungrateful.