"Telemetry signal normal"
"Optical and radar tracking normal"
"Programmed turn"
"..."
When the rocket had successfully lifted off, rather than exploding into fireworks on the spot, most people had already begun to cheer, but the true professionals and insiders had only just breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The next steps were two separations, multiple orbital adjustments, and precise satellite deployment into orbit before the mission could be deemed completely successful.
The entire process from launch to orbit entry was orchestrated by Guo Shen, combining the best practices of America and China, and was theoretically very reliable.
Although there were no national radar stations for tracking and control, civilian radar was equally capable of meeting the requirements.
The livestream cameras steadily kept the rocket centered in the frame until the first stage detached, capturing clear optical images throughout.
Once viewers watching the live stream saw the rocket's trail stable and robust, with steady posture as well, they generally believed the launch had been successful and began to post blessings and make wishes in the chat.
Despite not knowing whether making wishes to a rocket soaring upwards, rather than to a falling star, would have the opposite result, there were indeed many who practiced this every year.
Perhaps this could be called scientific superstition.
"First stage separation!"
As the rocket neared the point where it was almost invisible to the naked eye, the first stage detached on cue, without any incident.
The two K30 liquid oxygen kerosene engines of the second stage ignited smoothly, continuing to propel the upper stages into space.
After another minute, the second-stage rocket detached, leaving only the third-stage rocket with its one K30 engine and the satellite to continue towards near-Earth orbit.
By now the rocket was traveling fast enough, so the engine was shut down, and it would drift for about ten minutes before slowing down at an altitude of about 300 kilometers above Earth, and finally docking into orbit.
At this point, the people in the control room still couldn't relax, but for the researchers outside, success seemed 90% assured.
"Lin Ju, congratulations to your team. The first commercial spaceflight rocket has just delivered a 400-kilogram satellite, and that's a very promising start."
"I'll take your lucky words, Professor Tang. But I won't be at ease until a few more minutes have passed."
Lin Ju responded to Tang Weitian's congratulations before turning to Zhou Rui and Tong Peiqiang:
"Mr. Zhou, Director Tong, the moment for your satellite to show its capabilities is coming up."
"Lin Ju, you can rest assured, the satellite won't have problems. It contains two sets of redundancy systems; we absolutely guarantee the safety and reliability of the satellite."
"That's right, Factory Manager Lin, we really value this opportunity. The next time it's going to cost a lot more."
Tong Peiqiang made a joke, to which Lin Ju could only respond with a chuckle.
The successful launch of New Yuan One proved its capability for commercial satellite deployment, and they would certainly start charging for this service.
Don't think commercial satellite launches are all about grand espionage or communication satellites; there's also a lot of demand from smaller countries.
Many universities, both international and domestic, manufacture small satellites but often cannot afford the full costs and so opt for a "ride-sharing" approach.
This involves creating a mini satellite that weighs a few kilograms or a dozen kilograms and grouping it with other commercial satellite launch orders.
This market segment is quite large, so the profits on small rockets can be significant, as long as there are contracts to be filled.
Moreover, according to Tang Weitian, the improved New Yuan No. 1's payload capacity for low Earth orbit could be increased to about 1.6 tons. Satellites of this weight are already considered mid to large-sized, with most infrared remote-sensing and reconnaissance satellites being around this weight.
While everyone was busy exchanging thoughts, a system prompt suddenly flashed across Lin Ju's mind:
[Newcomer & Assistance Mission completed, 398kg scientific payload has been delivered into low Earth orbit]
[Comprehensive mission benefit tally: 6.4%. Mission rewards as follows:
C-level Engineer*3, C-level Base Upgrade Card*1, C-level Skill Upgrade Card*1, D-level Skill Upgrade Card*3
Rocket Engine 3D Additive Manufacturing Machine*1, RX01 Data Bus Technology, C-level Rocket Recovery Technology]
[Next Mission: After initial exploration, you now have a preliminary understanding of space. Please send a human into low Earth orbit for at least 1 hour and return safely, to achieve a successful rocket recovery. (Mission deadline: 365 natural days)]
As the system laid out the rewards and the new mission all at once, Lin Ju, engrossed in the system panel, did not notice the huge cheers in the control room and its surroundings.
By then, the control room had also confirmed the satellite's orbit, and the signal was normal—the flight stage mission had been fully accomplished.
"I declare that the launch mission of New Yuan No. 1, Yao-1 rocket, has been a complete success!"
As Guo Shen firmly announced the mission's success into the microphone, the crowd began to leave their seats to celebrate.
Guo Shen, leading the crowd outside the control room, saw Lin Ju daydreaming and immediately signaled to the people around him.
The crowd silently moved behind Lin Ju and, working in an organized fashion, grabbed his arms and legs.
By the time Lin Ju realized what was happening, he had already been thrown into the air, then caught by more than a dozen hands, and tossed up again.
Watching the shrieking Lin Ju, Tang Weitian said to Zhou Rui at his side:
"Young people are indeed full of energy, but their success certainly deserves such praise. Your satellite, too, is commendable, and soon the Southern Machinery Institute will become famous."
"Absolutely," Zhou Rui said with a triumphant stroke of the beard on his chin, then suddenly sensed some activity behind him.
He saw a group of ecstatic Southern Machinery Institute students running towards him as if they couldn't wait to do something.
Zhou Rui paused for a moment, then, sensing imminent trouble as he looked towards Lin Ju already being tossed into the air, tried to make a run for it.
But Zhou Rui, in his fifties or sixties, couldn't outrun a group of overly energetic students; as he turned around, he felt his body lighten and then saw the sky.
Tang Weitian had run into the control room a step ahead, but the unlucky Director Tong, a bit on the heavier side, lagged behind and could not escape being thrown into the air.
...
At 7:18 PM, after broadcasting an international news flash, the screen switched to a rocket in an assembly plant:
"A central correspondent reports, China's first civilian-run aerospace company in collaboration with universities has launched a satellite into space today with a rocket completely of its own intellectual property.
This is the first instance of a privately-owned aerospace enterprise in our country successfully sending a satellite into space on its initial rocket launch, signifying that after the opening of China's aerospace market, private capital has enthusiastically invested in the aerospace industry..."
The three-minute segment clearly showcased the New Yuan No. 1 as well as the combined brand of New Yuan Town's Tractor Factory and Southern Machinery Institute, with close-up shots of the satellite and edited footage of the launch.
In the end, there was an interview with a big shot from the space agency, who provided a positive assessment.
The political significance of the New Yuan No. 1 far outweighed its actual scientific importance. After a successful launch, the government quickly gave the project a strong push, making the New Yuan Tractor Factory an overnight sensation.
That very evening, Lin Ju was monitoring the satellite when his phone almost exploded with calls.