In the instant it was confirmed that an explosion had occurred inside the Mars-1 spacecraft, Zheng Long, the head of the Aerospace Bureau, felt an immense sense of loss and pain. He shouted out first thing, "It's gone! All gone! "
The Mars-1 spacecraft, gone.
Ten billion, gone.
Zhèng Lóng was in deep anguish although the Aerospace Bureau's funds used to purchase the Mars-1 spacecraft were from the decision of a high-level meeting and had nothing to do with him personally. Nevertheless, it was painful because the spacecraft now belonged to the Aerospace Bureau, and it could have served as the agency's flagship.
Even if the Aerospace Bureau built a new spacecraft, its corresponding function would be limited to space rescue, not planetary exploration.
Moreover, the new spacecraft would have to undergo many tests before it could be put into real use, while the Mars-1 spacecraft had already proven its safety and stability, which was highly valuable.
