Space Odyssey from Abandoned Mining Space Station

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Modification

In space, due to the lack of a medium, heat dissipation is actually a relatively difficult task.

Therefore, the temperature control system of the spacecraft is a very important component of the spacecraft.

The current method of heat dissipation for Iron Ore No. primarily relies on heat radiation through heat dissipation panels.

Overall, the efficiency is very low, and in case of unexpected situations, it basically depends on the ship’s few water cooling temperature control systems to absorb the temperature first, and then slowly release it.

Thus, Chen Ming plans to modify the spacecraft’s heat conduction pipeline by installing a new subsystem on the temperature control system, an emergency cooling system.

In extreme situations, it can quickly conduct temperature to the medium prepared within the emergency cooling system, discharging the medium carrying a large amount of heat energy outside the spacecraft to stabilize the internal temperature.

For example, if the engine overheats, this system can quickly stabilize the engine’s temperature.

After Chen Ming previously modified the spacecraft with an overload grid, the engine overheating under heavy load is almost inevitable.

After all, the overload grid was something Chen Ming used when he first encountered the Mechanical Race, and the actual experience was that the spacecraft’s temperature noticeably increased when the overload was activated.

So besides planning to transform the emergency cooling system, Chen Ming also plans to modify the engine.

Regarding the modifications through the options on the panel, the modification to the temperature system is [Emergency Cooling Device].

And the modification to the engine is [Engine Isolation Assembly].

Even if the engine is not running overloaded, the natural heat dissipation can raise the temperature of the engine compartment, placing an additional burden on the spacecraft’s own heat dissipation system.

By isolating with extra assembly, the engine is separated from the engine compartment.

Thus, the engine can better utilize its own water cooling system, and the compartment temperature can be better controlled.

Chen Ming can also specially pull a heat conduction pipeline to connect the emergency cooling system with the engine, enhancing protection for the engine.

This would certainly benefit the future operation of the spacecraft.

This was a transformation idea that Chen Ming came up with after thinking for a long time.

Because the spacecraft is still in the acceleration stage, external modifications to the spacecraft are completely impossible, so only internal modifications can be made.

As for the inside of the spacecraft.

There’s currently no need for modifications in the captain’s cabin, where there’s only a chair and the bridge equipment controlling the spacecraft.

He pilots the spacecraft not relying on the captain’s cabin equipment, but rather consciousness, so there’s no actual need for modifications.

The living quarters have already been modified before, creating a workshop.

The planting cabin is currently running well, and even if a modification were needed, he doesn’t understand the relevant agricultural knowledge.

The storage cabin is now packed with materials, and there’s nowhere to modify it even if he wanted to.

As for the working cabin, after leaving Rimu Star, there are no mineral-rich asteroids for the spacecraft to collect, so there’s no need for modifications there either.

So finally, Chen Ming’s gaze fell upon the engine cabin and the closely related temperature control system.

With the overload grid placed previously, modifications to the engine cabin are indeed necessary.

After excluding other options, this is currently the most suitable modification Chen Ming should make.

The emergency cooling system was finally placed by Chen Ming in the working cabin, which coincidentally doesn’t require modifications in the short term, and there are already mineral absorption pipes connected inside and outside.

It’s quite convenient to open a new conduit next to it for the discharge of the emergency cooling system medium.

The only issue is currently the medium with the highest thermal conductivity efficiency that can absorb the most heat in the shortest time at Chen Ming’s disposal.

It is silver, batches of silver.

Though somewhat painful, Chen Ming ultimately decided to use the silver accumulated from previously smelting the Mechanical Race and the Mind Pulse Generator.

To be added during the transformation process later on.

The transformation personally performed by Chen Ming began on the fifteenth day after the spacecraft’s launch and continued until the end of the second month.

It took a significant amount of time.

After all, this was Chen Ming’s first time executing large-scale modifications.

Having no experience, he had to proceed cautiously, exploring carefully in many areas, and would immediately restore any signs of problems using the panel.

Although slow, it was at least stable and safe.

And with repeated experiments and operations, Chen Ming’s technique was rapidly improving.

By the final stage of the transformation, Chen Ming’s proficiency was at a completely different level than at the beginning.

The next modifications will definitely be more efficient.

On the fifty-eighth day after the spacecraft’s launch, the modifications to the spacecraft’s temperature system were completely finished by Chen Ming.

The engine was separately isolated.

The emergency cooling system was placed in the working cabin opposite the smelting furnace in another corner.

It can also be used to assist with heat dissipation in normal times, ensuring that it is not a creation that might not be used for a long time.

The subsequent task was the next transformation.

Chen Ming had already planned it before, which was to modify the two Type I Mechanical Race Electromagnetic Spears.

Still based on the panel display, the modifications Chen Ming was going to execute included four.

[Ballistic Rangefinder], to quickly measure the relative position to the target using lasers, which is very helpful for weapon targeting.

[Target Positioning System] similar to the ship’s own weapons guidance system.

However, Iron Ore No. is a civilian ship, so the guidance system has a built-in limitation, only capable of locking onto objects like meteorite asteroids.

This modification allows the weapon to automatically lock onto any target set by Chen Ming.

Then there’s [Additional Coil], which can increase the range and projectile speed of the electromagnetic bullet, where speed equals power for electromagnetic weapons.

The last modification was originally intended by Chen Ming to be done personally.

Refashioning the most basic magnetic solid ammunition for the Electromagnetic Spear as he did with the previously modified handgun.

But Chen Ming realized after making a few new bullets that if he manually replaced the bullets in the weapon,

then during the next maintenance, the bullets he replaced would revert back to the original ones.

Only modifications done through the panel would ensure the bullets are properly restored during repairs.

Thus, this bullet modification could only be executed directly by the panel in the end.

The final chosen modification was an extremely reinforced penetration ability for the electromagnetic spear [Armor-Piercing Electromagnetic Bullet].

Weapon modifications were relatively simple.

Because Chen Ming had previously discovered that modifications on the replaced 22mm machine gun were carried over as well.

This means Chen Ming could directly swap out the electromagnetic spear, get it modified, and then put it back.

Very convenient.

Days later, with the weapon modifications completed,

the spacecraft had thoroughly entered a steady flight phase.

So, during the following period, Chen Ming planned to undertake a larger project.

To modify the exterior armor of the spacecraft.