Chapter 393: Chapter 391: Successful Ignition
"Fission reactor ignition preparation, countdown 3, 2, 1! Start!" Although there were only Chen Xin, the political commissar, and the commander watching Chen Xin ignite the reactor in the room, Chen Xin still ceremoniously conducted a countdown before pressing the reactor’s start button.
As Chen Xin pressed the button, the reactor in front of him, more than two meters high and wide, resembling two stacked pancakes, began to operate, emitting a humming roar.
The political commissar and the commander beside him were extremely nervous, almost as if they dared not even breathe. Though seasoned soldiers, this was their first time witnessing the ignition of a nuclear reactor, their minds subtly affected by modern humanity’s reverence for nuclear energy.
Fission is relatively straightforward; this technology has been practical for a long time. Although small nuclear fission reactors may be formidable, they are still within an acceptable range.
But fusion reactors are different. Not only have humans not yet mastered controlled nuclear fusion technology, but the most familiar fusion product is the sun itself, now obscured by thick dust yet ever looming over humanity.
In simple terms, fusion involves confining the energy of a star within a small container, harnessing its nearly boundless energy.
How can mortals confine the sun? Even in mythology, such a tale has never existed.
Indeed, scouring the mythologies and legends of the world, perhaps only the ancestors of the Flame Country have stories like Hou Yi shooting down the sun, challenging it with a mortal’s body.
Now, is the power of a sun truly confined within this small machine?
Even though both standing beside Chen Xin knew this was not an actual sun, and that the difference between it and a star was as between dust and Mount Tai, the energy it could unleash was still astounding, with temperatures from thermonuclear fusion similar to that of a star.
Can Chen Xin truly control it, bind the stellar-level temperatures within this small machine, safely harnessing power comparable to a hydrogen bomb explosion?
What if something dangerous happens and this thing explodes—isn’t it akin to a nuclear explosion?
Before Chen Xin, although countries worldwide were researching controlled nuclear fusion, no nation or research institution had developed a truly stable, operable controlled nuclear fusion device. The miniature reactor crafted by Chen Xin is still the world’s first.
If an unforeseen situation arises, should they rush to save the equipment first, or rescue Chen Xin, such an important "scientific researcher" to the nation, to safety first?
The same thought occurred to the commander and political commissar, and they exchanged a look of mutual understanding, quickly delineating responsibilities.
If something unexpected occurs, one will rush to save the equipment, preventing the reactor from exploding, while the other will promptly take Chen Xin to safety.
Chen Xin didn’t notice the exchange between the two soldiers behind him; his entire attention was focused on the reactor before him.
Though the reactor was made with the system’s help, and its reliability has been proven, Chen Xin couldn’t help but feel nervous. After all, it was a nuclear reactor, even a miniature one, and any accident or explosion would be unthinkable.
Moreover, the key point was that before Chen Xin created this reactor, no one had attempted to combine fission and fusion reactions.
Thus, no one knew what terrifying consequences might result from problems arising with a fission and fusion reactor placed together.
Under such circumstances, how could Chen Xin dare to relax even slightly?
Fortunately, the system-produced reactor was indeed reliable, operating normally all along. The fission reactor part had already started producing tritium, enriching it, and sending it to the fusion reaction chamber, preparing for fusion ignition.
Watching the fuel filling level on the monitoring screen rise bit by bit, Chen Xin couldn’t help but feel anxious.
"The fusion reaction is ready for ignition; does either of you want to press the button?" To ease his tension, Chen Xin turned and looked at the commander and political commissar behind him, inviting them to press the ignition button.
The commander and political commissar hadn’t expected Chen Xin’s invitation, exchanged glances, and hurriedly declined: "This is the first fusion reactor in human history that can successfully ignite. This honor should go to Comrade Chen Xin, not us."
Hearing the political commissar say this, Chen Xin thought for a moment and said to them: "What’s the big deal? It’s just pressing a button. How about rock-paper-scissors?"
"Better not, Comrade Chen Xin. You press it yourself." Rock-paper-scissors was too frivolous; neither the commander nor the political commissar had any playful intentions.
Hearing this, Chen Xin shrugged helplessly and sighed: "You two are so unfunny, lacking a sense of humor. Deciding who presses the button to ignite by playing rock-paper-scissors would be a fun anecdote in the scientific field!"
After saying this, Chen Xin placed his thumb on the bright red button on the console, pressing it down firmly.
With this press from Chen Xin, the entire miniature reactor emitted a louder roar, as if something was whistling.
The political commissar and commander behind Chen Xin tensed, both clenching their fists, taut bodies ready to rush Chen Xin to safety and shut down the reactor at any sign of trouble.
However, the system-produced reactor was indeed extraordinarily reliable, with no incidents occurring, operating very smoothly.
"This sound is so pleasant, like a kitten purring!" Listening to the hum of the reactor’s operation, a smile finally appeared on Chen Xin’s face.
The monitoring screen showed the reactor’s temperature had reached 15 million degrees Celsius and was still rising, while the pressure in the reactor continued to increase.
Behind Chen Xin, the commander and political commissar, watching the screen’s displayed data, felt a sense of apprehension at the terrifying figures.
"No need to worry, thermonuclear fusion is like this. High temperatures and pressures are needed to sustain fusion reactions. Humans have operated reactors with temperatures reaching hundreds of millions of degrees before, so this is nothing." Noticing their tension, Chen Xin smiled at them and said, "Connect the circuit; it’s started generating electricity now. These volts shouldn’t be wasted."