Seeing the puzzled looks on Albert and the people around him, Morton hurriedly began to explain.
"NASA began researching electric propulsion systems decades ago."
"To be precise, it should be the research on Hall thrusters."
Albert raised his eyebrows slightly: "Oh? NASA's research was successful?"
Morton's face froze.
He shook his head slowly and said with embarrassment: "It can't be called a failure, but it's definitely not a success either."
"The current Hall thrusters can only reach tens or hundreds of millinewtons, and are mostly used in deep space vehicles."
"Perhaps you don't know what tens or hundreds of millinewtons mean. I'll explain it another way and you'll understand."
"The maximum thrust of the Hall thruster is about tens of grams."
"Inside the atmosphere, it can't even push an egg!"
Albert suddenly realized.
But soon, his brows furrowed again: "Why did Xiaguo cancel the Long March 10 carrier rocket research project?"
Faced with this question, Morton fell silent.
This is indeed a suspicious point.
After all, he is just a director, not a researcher.
It is normal to lack scientific research intuition.
"How about...I'll find some time to ask the professor at NASA?"
Albert shook his head slowly: "Since this Hall thruster can't play a big role in the atmosphere, there is no need to worry about it."
"What's more... we can't be sure whether these two pieces of news are smokescreens deliberately released by Xiaguo!"
Ever since he learned that Xia Guo sold the first-generation fusion reactor technology and then turned around and developed the second-generation nuclear fusion technology, Albert has had some psychological trauma in his heart.
"The most important thing now is how we should deal with this series of actions by Xia Country."
Morton nodded respectfully and whispered, "In my opinion, we don't need to pay attention to the news released by Xiaguo."
"After all, we've already suffered enough in the matter of nuclear fusion!"
"If they want to work on Hall thrusters, let them work on them."
"I believe that chemical fuel rockets are the best choice for mankind at present!"
Albert's eyes moved slightly, and his deep gaze turned to Morton again: "How is the preparation for the Pathfinder Project going?"
Morton's expression was slightly stern: "Preparations have already begun!"
"Too slow!" Albert's brows frowned instantly.
Just starting preparations?
According to Xia's current development speed, by the time they complete their preparations, the moon might be full of red flags!
Anthony, who had been silent, pursed his lips and winked at Morton beside him.
"Molton, I think it's time to start that project."
Morton's expression changed slightly, and he asked in a low voice: "Anthony, are you sure?!"
Anthony closed his eyes slightly and took a deep breath: "I'm sure."
"The United States can lag behind a step, but it must not lag behind others again and again!"
Albert in the presidential chair: "???"
He frowned and interrupted the two people: "Wait, wait! What are you talking about? What project?!"
Anthony turned his head sharply and looked at Albert: "Mr. President, I apply to start the Area 51 project!"
Seeing Anthony's burning eyes, Albert's expression suddenly became strange: "Huh? Area 51? Isn't that just an air force base?"
The next moment, Morton's voice rang out.
"Mr. President, on the surface, Area 51 is indeed just an air force base, but in fact, Area 51 is the core base of the United States' high-end technology reserve plan."
The expression on Albert's face became more and more strange: "???"
"Hey, gentlemen, that's not a funny joke!"
"High-end technology reserve plan? How come I never knew that the United States had such a plan?"
Defense Minister Anthony's voice followed: "The high-end technology reserve program began fifty years ago. Its purpose is to reserve various high-end technologies to ensure that the United States will be in an international leading position in the future."
"During this period, in order to ensure that the secrets were not leaked, only the successive defense ministers and NASA administrators knew about it."
"Not only you, but even the previous presidents of the United States did not know about the existence of this plan."
President Albert's expression suddenly froze.
Well, no president knew that.
His mentality calmed down a little.
But soon, he thought of a very important question.
"What about the funding? Why have I never seen the so-called Area 51 funding budget on the budget sheet?!"
Anthony said with embarrassment: "Well... after all, the funding can be falsified."
"Over the past fifty years, about 10% of military spending has been secretly flowing to Area 51."
Albert's breath suddenly stopped!
Good job!
10%!!
This is 10% of the US annual military expenditure!
A full fifty years of expenditure!
Albert couldn't even imagine what was being researched inside!
He took a deep breath and asked softly, "Can I ask what technology is stored in it?"
Anthony and Morton looked at each other, and then Anthony nodded slightly: "Of course."
"The last Cold War made us deeply aware of the importance of space supremacy. Therefore, the technologies stored in Area 51 are mainly in the aerospace field."
"For example... the Saturn VI, an enhanced version of the Saturn V."
Albert's pupils suddenly shrank!
As a native American, Albert was naturally familiar with the world-renowned Saturn V heavy-lift launch vehicle!
As the heaviest launch vehicle ever used in human history, the Saturn V rocket is 110.6 meters tall.
The take-off weight reaches an astonishing 3038.5 tons, and the total thrust also reaches an extreme 3408 tons!
Because it is used for manned lunar missions, it is also called the moon rocket!
Albert swallowed slightly and said with great difficulty: "Saturn VI? What is it used for?"
Morton took over the conversation and said softly, "Mr. President, it was developed for Mars."
"Currently, there are three completed Saturn VI heavy-lift launch vehicles hidden underground in Area 51."
"Mr. President, as long as you give the order to unlock Area 51, Xia Country is not even worthy of being compared with our great United States!"
Morton's words made Albert's heart surge. He wished he could see the American flag planted on the surface of Mars right now!
He took a deep breath, calmed his agitated mood, and said in a firm tone: "Prepare to sign the presidential order!"
"Activate the Area 51 Project!"