80: Chapter 80 The Sky's Admission Ticket

Chen Fan arrived on time as agreed with Engineer Li, carrying a silver-gray special alloy shockproof case in his hand.

"Engineer Li." Chen Fan gently placed the case on the workbench in the center of the office, his movements as steady as if the contents were fragile glass artwork.

Engineer Li nodded without much pleasantry and directly pressed the internal communication button: "Please have the expert group come over."

Five minutes later, five experts walked into the office one after another. Their ages ranged from early forties to over sixty; they were dressed simply, but each person's eyes revealed the unique sharpness and prudence that comes from years of deep cultivation in a specific field.

After a brief greeting with Engineer Li, their gazes all fell upon the silver-gray case.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Chen Fan unhurriedly released the composite latches on both sides of the case.

With an almost inaudible sound of pressure release, the lid slowly rose under the action of the hydraulic rods.

Inside the case, fifty heat exchange units were neatly arranged in five rows and ten columns, cushioned by specially made shockproof foam.

Each piece presented a uniform silver-gray matte texture. The honeycomb-like porous structure on the surface cast a fine and regular grid of shadows under the morning light, exuding an almost cold industrial beauty.

The white-haired expert addressed as "Old Master Wu" was the first to step forward. He put on white gloves and carefully took a piece from the case, cradling it in his palm. The moment it touched his hand, his eyebrows shot up—it was too light, so light that it completely contradicted its dense and tough visual impression.

"This weight..." Old Master Wu looked up at Chen Fan. "When you said it was 37% lighter than the existing solution, that was a conservative figure, wasn't it?"

"The measured average is 3.8 kilograms; the lightest piece is 3.76, and the heaviest is 3.83," Chen Fan stated the data calmly. "Compared to the 6.1 kilograms of the traditional solution reference sample we received, it's a weight reduction of 38.2%."

A middle-aged expert named Zhou, wearing black-rimmed glasses, leaned in close, almost pressing his nose to the unit's surface. "This coating... it's not pure ceramic; there's a metallic luster in the dispersed phase. Is it a gradient composite structure? How did you solve the matching of thermal expansion coefficients and interfacial bonding?"

"Engineer Zhou has a keen eye." Chen Fan nodded slightly. "The specific material ratios and composite processes are core technical secrets of our company. However, we have a complete internal test report for all relevant key performance data available for inspection."

His attitude was polite but firm—performance could be verified, but process details would not be disclosed.

This was a common form of self-protection in commercial cooperation, but in the field of aerospace, which demands extremely high technical transparency, it could easily trigger doubts.

Engineer Li had remained silent, merely observing quietly. At this moment, he gestured to a young assistant beside him.

The assistant immediately stepped forward, put on gloves, took the unit from Old Master Wu's hand, and carefully placed it into a pre-prepared transfer cradle. The group left the office, passed through two blast-proof doors requiring card access, and entered the adjacent integrated testing workshop.

The workshop was tall and cavernous, with a massive ground simulation test apparatus standing in the center.

A robotic arm took the cradle and installed the silver-gray unit onto the test rack with millimeter-level precision.

Instantly, the hundreds of temperature, stress, strain, and deformation sensors surrounding it lit up with eerie green indicator lights, like a cluster of awakening electronic eyes.

"Begin full-load simulation testing," Engineer Li's voice echoed in the workshop as he stood before the main control console.

The heavy alloy shroud of the test stand slowly closed and locked tight.

Amidst the low hum of the vacuum pump starting up, the internal air pressure rapidly dropped to Low Earth Orbit levels.

Immediately after, the main nozzle of the simulation device lit up with a blinding white light—a stream of high-temperature plasma gushed out at speeds of several kilometers per second, instantly heating the unit's surface to over 190 degrees Celsius!

That was one of the extreme tests a thermal protection system must face when a spacecraft re-enters the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds.

On the large monitoring screen, the red zone representing the unit's surface temperature expanded rapidly, the curve soaring in a straight line.

But shockingly, the heat in the high-temperature area seemed to be "smoothed out" by some invisible force, spreading quickly and uniformly to the surrounding low-temperature zones in an almost ideal state.

In just two or three seconds, the entire unit's temperature distribution map changed from a sharp "volcanic eruption" peak into a series of smoothly transitioning color blocks.

The data sent back by the stress sensor array was even more breathtaking: under such violent instantaneous thermal shock, the peak structural stress inside the unit actually remained steadily in the lower half of the green safety zone, without even touching the yellow warning line.

"Thermal conductivity... the measured value exceeds the design target by 35%," the researcher responsible for monitoring the data said, his voice tightening slightly.

"Sustained extreme high temperature for 18 seconds... no visible peeling or bubbling on the surface coating, and no signs of creep deformation in the base metal."

"Initiate rapid cooling simulation," Engineer Li ordered.

The high-temperature plasma flow was abruptly cut off, replaced by a jet of liquid nitrogen at minus 18 degrees Celsius, simulating the extreme temperature difference of moving from a high-temperature re-entry environment into the shadow of space.

On the monitoring screen, the temperature curve plummeted like a cliff, but the stress curve only showed a slight and brief fluctuation before quickly returning to stability.

The researcher in charge of structural safety stared at the data and reported word for word: "Maximum thermal shock stress... is only 58% of the material's theoretical endurance limit."

A strange silence fell over the workshop, broken only by the low-frequency hum of the equipment.

These experts knew all too well what this data meant. This was by no means just "good performance" or "some improvement."

A performance leap of this magnitude, combined with the terrifying stability shown under extreme conditions, pointed toward a fundamental breakthrough in material systems and manufacturing processes.

Like the internal combustion engine compared to the steam engine, or integrated circuits compared to vacuum tubes, it was a generational leap sufficient to redefine the industry's technical roadmap.

For the next six hours, testing proceeded according to the most rigorous aerospace standard protocols. High temperature, extreme cold, high and low pressure cycles, long-duration constant temperature and humidity, random high-frequency vibration, overload impact... every extreme condition a spacecraft might encounter—or even those it was unlikely to encounter—during its service life was simulated one by one.

That silver-gray unit was like a silent monolith, enduring everything and remaining unshakable.

Old Master Wu slowly exhaled a long breath and turned to Engineer Li, his voice somewhat dry. "Engineer Li, this thing... which unit actually produced it?"

Everyone's gaze turned toward Engineer Li, as well as the young man who had been silently observing beside him.

"Fanxing Technology," Engineer Li said those two words clearly, while looking at Chen Fan. "A private high-tech enterprise established less than a year ago. The founder is this man, Chen Fan, President Chen."

"That's impossible!" Engineer Zhou countered almost instinctively. "A material system with this kind of performance, without decades of sustained basic research, process accumulation, and engineering iteration, simply couldn't..."

"But the item is right here." Engineer Li interrupted him, pointing at the unit that remained as bright as new and structurally intact.

His tone was categorical. "Data doesn't lie, and test results don't deceive. It not only passed all the hurdles we set but did so with an excellent performance that far exceeded expectations."

He turned around, his gaze slowly sweeping across the lingering shock and doubt on each expert's face. "I understand everyone's doubts. To be honest, my initial doubts were no less than anyone else's. But in our aerospace field, we have an ironclad rule—results-oriented, performance speaks. Now, the results and performance are all laid out right here."

"But regarding the Long Group's side..." another relatively young expert reminded in a low voice, his tone somewhat hesitant. "Their previous proposal, after all, has been followed for over a year, and various relationships are also..."

"The Long Group's material proposal, according to the final test report we obtained, has a comprehensive performance evaluation of only 4% of this Fanxing proposal, yet their quote is 50% higher than President Chen's preliminary quote." The figures Engineer Li recited were precise and cold. "Aerospace engineering allows for no ambiguity, let alone personal favors. We only look at cost-effectiveness and reliability. We use whoever's product is truly superior."

"Competition in the international commercial aerospace market has already become cutthroat." Engineer Li's voice wasn't loud, but it carried heavy weight. "Whoever can be the first to produce a mature, reliable, reusable, and cost-controlled suborbital vehicle will seize the commanding heights of the space exploration and tourism industries for the next twenty years. We have been stuck by technical bottlenecks for too long. This heat exchange system we've seen today... perhaps, is the key to breaking the deadlock and winning those precious few years of time."

The experts remained silent, exchanging glances. The shock gradually settled, replaced by more complex evaluations and weighing of options. They were all true technical people and deeply understood the weight in Engineer Li's words.

Finally, Old Master Wu spoke slowly, his voice regaining the steadiness of an old expert. "Judging solely from the technical indicators and test performance, I can find no fault. This is indeed a revolutionary advancement. However, Engineer Li, in terms of procedure, compliance, and especially supply chain security review..."

"Procedure, compliance, and supply chain review—I will take the lead in pushing forward these aspects of the work, and I will take the responsibility," Engineer Li took over the conversation, his tone showing no sign of wavering.

He looked at the five experts again, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "Now, I only need you all to answer one core question based on your years of professional experience and the data you've seen with your own eyes today—"

He paused, and his words echoed clearly in the quiet workshop:

"Setting aside all non-technical factors and judging solely from the perspective of material science and engineering application, is this set of components worth us concentrating our resources, placing our bets, and pushing forward with all our might?"

Silence descended again, even more solemn than before.

A few seconds later, Old Master Wu's hand, covered in the marks of time and having drawn countless blueprints, was the first to rise steadily.

Immediately after, Engineer Zhou pushed up his glasses and raised his hand.

The third, the fourth... five hands were raised one after another, without exception.

Unanimous approval.

The stern lines on Engineer Li's face finally softened slightly. He turned to Chen Fan, revealing a smile with deep meaning. "President Chen, the formal cooperation agreement and subsequent processes will still take some time to go through the procedures. You should go back first and wait for our formal notification. However... you should understand what today's test results and the expert group's opinion signify."

Chen Fan met Engineer Li's gaze and nodded solemnly without saying much else.

He understood, of course.

This meant that Fanxing Technology, by virtue of solid and impeccably high-quality technical products, had successfully knocked open a door that was once out of reach, obtaining a precious ticket to the vast firmament.

He carefully placed the unit retrieved after testing back into the shockproof case and locked the latches.

After a brief farewell to Engineer Li and the experts, he picked up the case and turned to leave the testing workshop.

Behind him, he could still faintly hear the experts gathered around the test stand, expressing their amazement and engaging in heated discussions over the silver-gray material that had created a miracle.

In those voices, there was wonder, excitement, and heartfelt admiration for the breakthrough of technical boundaries.

Outside the workshop, the bright afternoon sunlight poured down without reservation, carrying a hint of the intensity unique to the plateau.

Chen Fan squinted his eyes slightly and looked up at that boundless, clear azure sky.

The firmament was above, and the path ahead was open.

Just then, the phone in his pocket vibrated. Chen Fan pulled it out; it was a message from Lin Hao:

"Fan Zi, the site for the medical device company has finally been decided as Site Three. The park conditions are optimal, and the policy coordination is going smoothly. All materials for business registration are ready, and the license will be issued tomorrow! Additionally, Sister Qingyue, through Old Master Qin's connections, has gotten in touch with two experts who just retired from the equipment department of a top-tier hospital. They're quite interested in being technical consultants and have scheduled a meeting for the day after tomorrow."

Good news arrived one after another. Without Long Zaitian's calculated obstructions and sabotage, the progress in all areas had significantly accelerated, and everything seemed smooth and efficient.

Chen Fan looked at the text on his phone screen. The sunlight shone on the side of his face, highlighting a clear and determined profile.

The days of passive defense and waiting for the opponent to make a move were over.

Long Zaitian and his Long Group were like venomous snakes coiled on the road ahead, launching sneak attacks time and again.

All business operations were proceeding steadily.

It was time to turn the passive into the proactive.