On the testing platform inside the institute sat a ring-shaped engine, its entire body deep black and suffused with an air of mystery.
This was the culmination of everyone's research over the past ten-odd days!
An improved Hall Thruster.
More precisely, a Hall Thruster Unit!
Beside it stood a cylindrical miniature nuclear fusion device!
With various additional components installed, the miniature fusion device was now a full size larger than it had been initially.
Even so, it remained the slimmest of all large power generators.
The Hall Thruster Unit's exhaust nozzle pointed straight at a concrete wall made from specialized materials!
The wall served a simple purpose.
To block the Hall Thruster Unit's exhaust plume!
The Hall Thruster Unit used the high-temperature helium ion stream produced by nuclear fusion as its propellant.
As a result, the Hall Thruster Unit's exhaust plume was extraordinarily hot!
It could even reach hundreds of millions of degrees Celsius!
"Professor Lü, all checks are complete. The Hall Thruster Unit is ready for a test run at any time!"
Hearing the report beside him, Lü Yongchang's expression grew more solemn.
He nodded cautiously. "Prepare to begin the test run!"
"Yes!"
At Lü Yongchang's command, the researchers throughout the institute lit up with excitement!
This was not the first Hall Thruster in human history.
But it was definitely the first Hall Thruster in human history to achieve thrust on the kilonewton scale!
As the small fusion reactor slowly started up, a low hum filled the air.
"Small fusion reactor operating normally!"
"Electrical power output normal!"
"Preparing to activate the Hall Thruster Unit!"
Standing nearby, Academician Cao Liangcai swallowed, then pressed the button on the control console before him with a slightly trembling right hand.
A moment later, a stream of blue plasma appeared at the Hall Thruster