Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 172：Failed?

With the ignition button pressed, the rocket propellant fuel tank did not emit a single flame.

The researchers in the second laboratory stared at the result, their hearts tightening, a foreboding thought crossing their minds. Was it a failure?

Their faces immediately grew somber. Though they knew that a new material would not succeed on its first ignition test, they had been eager to prove themselves after years of being overlooked. They had been desperately hoping for the success of this experiment. What they failed to consider was that genuine breakthroughs in technology require countless experiments and refinements before yielding results.

The researchers in the first laboratory, seeing this, could not help but mock.

"How laughable! They call it a new fuel, yet not even a spark emerged!"

"Honestly, the magic trick was impressive," one joked. "Maybe the second lab should consider a career in magic rather than research. As for science? I think they should just forget it."

"What a waste of our time studying the 700-ton rocket propeller!"

"A thousand-ton rocket propeller? What a pipe dream! Real research requires steady, grounded work like ours to succeed!"

As they heard the jabs, Ge Zhicheng couldn't help but laugh, turning to Jiang Fan with a mocking tone.

"Jiang Fan, looks like your new fuel is a failure! Ha-ha..."

It seemed that Ge Zhicheng's decision had been correct. If he had agreed to Jiang Fan's ambitious plan for the 1,000-ton rocket propeller, their project at the northwest base would likely have been doomed.

He smugly thought to himself that after this ignition test failed, Jiang Fan would finally realize that rocket propulsion was not as simple as he had imagined. Designing a 1,000-ton propeller was nothing more than wishful thinking. Once Liu Tianhang, the overall commander, heard about this, he would certainly apologize to him and support his own 700-ton propulsion project.

"Ge Chief Engineer, don't rush to conclusions!" Jiang Fan smiled faintly.

Ge Zhicheng, seeing Jiang Fan's calm demeanor, snorted inwardly. Not anxious? It had already been three seconds, and not even a spark had appeared. Was he waiting for a miracle?

At that very moment, however, a small yellow flame erupted from the nozzle of the fuel tank.

Slowly, the flame grew, becoming larger and more intense with each passing second.

The yellow flame turned to white, and an immense sound of air displacement followed.

The white flames lasted less than a second before shifting to a deep blue!

The entire laboratory was bathed in a light as bright as daylight, blinding to the eyes.

The temperature of the flame was so high that the water in the basin below began to evaporate rapidly, with a quarter of the 100-cubic-meter pool turning into steam within moments.

Everyone stood in stunned silence, unable to believe their eyes.

The temperature was off the charts, they knew that such high heat came with incredible kinetic energy.

From the intensity of the flame, it was clear that the energy output was far beyond what a 500-ton propellant could generate.

It seemed that the temperature exceeded even twice that of the expected levels!

The researchers in the second lab were beside themselves with excitement.

They had done it! They had successfully developed the new rocket fuel in just four days. It was like a dream come true!

"We did it!"

"We actually succeeded!"

With a triumphant shout from one of the researchers, the entire second lab erupted in cheers.

Meanwhile, the researchers in the first lab, watching the celebrations, felt an indescribable mix of emotions.

Should they join in the celebration, or remain silent?

To be honest, in that moment, they couldn't help but feel envious.

Ge Zhicheng, his eyes wide in disbelief, stared at the blue flame, his desire to disprove it almost overwhelming.

But even from nearly 100 meters away, the heat wave from the flames hit him like a wave. He had no choice but to admit that everything he saw was real.

Just moments ago, he had mocked Jiang Fan, yet now he was left utterly humbled.

Judging by the sheer power of the flame with his naked eye, the energy thrust it generated was easily above 700 tons!

Ge Zhicheng reluctantly turned his gaze away and looked at the young man with a smile.

What struck him even more was Jiang Fan's composure. He looked far from the eighteen-year-old he was.

If it had been him who had achieved such results, not only would he have been jumping for joy, he would have been unable to stop celebrating.

Yet Jiang Fan remained calm, his poise leaving Ge Zhicheng feeling inadequate.

The blue flames, after five minutes, gradually faded, their intensity slowly dying down.

Since this was only an experiment, Jiang Fan had used a minimal amount of fuel.

After the flames dissipated, the 100-cubic-meter pool below the propellant tank was nearly dried up.

Once again, the onlookers marveled at the overwhelming power of the new fuel.

"Supervisor Tian, print out the experimental data results!" Jiang Fan said.

"Yes, yes!"

Tian Hongxuan, overwhelmed with excitement, hurried to print the results.

Once the data was printed, Tian Hongxuan quickly handed it to Jiang Fan. But before Jiang Fan could take it, Ge Zhicheng snatched it from his hand, studying it intently.