"Ahem!"
Lu Yongchang looked at the professor in front of him with a strange look in his eyes, coughed twice and then said.
"The project site is in the Taklimakan Desert."
"Once the project begins, you will need to spend several years in an artificial ecosystem. Have you thought this through?"
As soon as he finished speaking, several professors in front of him patted their chests and said, "Don't worry, Professor Lu, we have already thought about this before we came here!"
"As long as it allows us to conduct research on the artificial biosphere project, we can live in it for the rest of our lives!"
"That's right!"
"After so many years, we are finally going to make it through!!"
"…"
Listening to the professors in front of him expressing their feelings one after another, Lu Yongchang had a wry smile on his face.
…
As the meeting came to a successful conclusion, Xiaguo News was the first to report this historic event.
"According to our station, the scientific research discussion meeting held at Sandaokou University officially ended this evening."
"During the meeting, Director Lu discussed with the academicians and professors for several hours about the future scientific research direction of Xiaguo."
"During the meeting, Director Lu announced that Xia will launch the Moon Palace Project today. At the same time, Xia will restart the Biosphere 2 Project in the Taklamakan Desert!"
The moment Xia Guo reported the news, the onlookers on Weibo also went crazy.
"What the hell?! Is today not April Fools' Day?"
"So, Professor Lu was serious about the Moon Palace Project he mentioned before?"
"The one above, judging from the current situation, let alone the Moon Palace Project, I think the South Heaven Gate Project is also serious."
"Zhao, this is no longer a matter of strategic deception! This is simply a matter of strategic intimidation!"
"No more talking. I'm going to eat two Xizhilang jellies right now. I want to be an astronaut too!"
"Hahahaha fuck, are you trying to make me die of laughter upstairs?"
"Please help solve the psychological shadow of the United States at this moment 23333."
…
It is probably difficult to calculate the psychological shadow of the United States.
But at least, Albert's psychological shadow at this time was indeed quite large.
"WTF??!"
"Bang, bang, bang!" A series of table-slapping sounds came from the president's office.
"William Blair!" Albert's face flushed, and his golden hair swayed up and down as he slapped the table, looking very elegant.
"Holy shit! Didn't you say that these three plans of Xia Country were all scams?!"
Albert stretched out his slightly fat finger and pointed tremblingly at a document in front of him: "Tell me, what's going on? Why did Xia Country launch the Moon Palace Project?!"
Facing the president's angry roar, William Blair and Anthony looked at each other, smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. President, we didn't expect that Xia Guo's plans were serious..."
"However... according to NASA's predictions, it will take at least five to ten years for Xiaguo to initially realize the Moon Palace Project."
Hearing this, Albert's expression eased a little.
But after the lessons learned from the previous times, he became much more cautious.
He looked at Morton suspiciously: "Chief Morton, is this true?"
Morton spread his hands, shrugged and said, "I don't know."
"That's what those scientists concluded."
Morton also learned his lesson and directly put the blame on his scientists.
Albert took a deep breath and asked, "When can the Pathfinder Project start?"
"I mean, when can those three rockets be launched?"
Hearing this, Morton's eyes became more bitter: "Mr. President, the biggest problem at the moment is not the hardware."
"What's the meaning?"
Moulton sighed deeply: "As of now, the Saturn VI launch vehicle and the Mars lander are ready, but...something went wrong with our astronauts."
"WTF?! What could possibly go wrong with astronauts?" Albert gestured exaggeratedly, "Do they have to go home and say goodbye to their parents?"
"...Sir, I'm afraid it's even worse." Morton was silent for a while, then said softly, "Currently, there are no astronauts in NASA willing to participate in this project."
"They think going to Mars now would be a death wish."
Albert's face froze: "Can't we force them to participate in the project?"
Morton shrugged and looked at Albert as if he were a fool: "What do you think?"
"F**k!" Albert cursed through gritted teeth, "They are all a bunch of cowards! Trash!"
"Why does NASA keep such a bunch of garbage?!"
Morton: "…"
Feeling offended.
He hesitated for a moment and shrugged: "How about... you go up and try?"
Albert's cursing stopped for a moment.
"...Ahem!" Albert coughed hard, "Is there no other way?"
"Of course, we can recruit volunteers from the public."
"…"
Albert looked at Morton in front of him speechlessly.
Is this something humans came up with?
When will NASA astronauts be able to look for volunteers?
…
early morning.
In an unknown slum in Walton, USA.
Andrew was awakened by a shrill alarm.
Looking at the still dim sky outside the window, Andrew sighed deeply.
He needs to go to work at the construction site next door.
As a black man, Andrew has suffered various unfair treatments since he was a child.
It is also because of his skin color that even though he is more hardworking than most Americans, he still has to live in this dirty and messy slum.
The only consolation is that God is not biased against him because of his skin color.
At this time, Andrew already had an understanding wife and a quirky daughter.
Therefore, Andrew did not have too many complaints about his living conditions.
At least, as long as he worked hard, he could still make a living.
Based on his current salary, if he works for another 20 or 30 years, maybe he can buy a better place for his family to live!
"Andrew, our daughter...will be old enough to go to school next year."
At breakfast, his wife's words pulled him out of his fantasy.
Andrew's face turned pale instantly.
How could he forget this question?
My daughter is already old enough to go to school.
Going to school in the United States is not an easy thing!
At least, for Andrew, it is difficult!
"I...I'll take care of it."
Andrew opened his pale lips slightly and said bitterly.
It seems that I have to find a part-time job.
With a heavy heart, he turned on the worn-out TV beside him.
"Here's an urgent news."
"The US government announced that it will launch a Mars landing project within a month, codenamed Pathfinder."
"The project aims to create a second habitable home for all mankind."
"NASA will then launch three Saturn VI heavy-lift rockets to carry three astronauts and a Mars lander to Mars."
"The three astronauts will conduct survival and scientific research on Mars for three months."
"Currently, due to unexpected circumstances, NASA is short of astronauts. Now, NASA authorities are looking for volunteers from all over the country who are willing to go to Mars and open up new frontiers for the United States."
"The project is quite dangerous. NASA will give each selected volunteer a reward of US$500,000. At the same time, the children of the volunteers will have priority admission to US public schools, and tuition will be waived..."
What was said on TV doesn't matter anymore.
Andrew looked at the TV in front of him, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid.
This, isn't this a project tailor-made for him?
Priority admission, free tuition, $500,000 in rewards...
He swallowed slightly and turned to look at his wife beside him: "Amy, I want to participate in this project."
Amy's expression suddenly changed, and she lowered her voice and said, "Andrew! Are you crazy?!"
"This thing doesn't look reliable!"
"Launch a rocket to Mars within a month? When did the United States have such advanced technology?!"
Andrew gritted his teeth, a hint of cruelty flashed in his eyes: "Amy, this is news released by NASA, the bonus will definitely not be small!"
"Even if, even if I fail, you and the child can still..."
Amy wanted to say something, but Andrew stopped her.
He looked carefully at the registration address on TV, then took out his cell phone and made a call.
"Boss, I need a day off today!"
There was a noisy sound of machinery running from the other end of the line.
A rough voice followed: "What? Asking for leave? Damn it, Andrew, no one else is working for you today!"
Andrew didn't speak.
"You can ask for leave, but I will deduct three days' salary from you!"
Before Andrew could speak, the call was hung up.
Looking at the phone in his hand, Andrew's eyes became more determined.
He's had enough of this kind of life!
…
Xia country.
The third day after the meeting.
7:30 p.m.
The lights in the Xia National Space Research Institute were on. Tension was written all over every researcher's face. Even the atmosphere in the institute seemed particularly depressing.
Outside the research institute, the dark black Xuannv No. 1 was quietly parked on the take-off runway.
The flashing lights on the runway seemed to indicate that something big was going to happen tonight.
Inside Xuannv No. 1.
The three drivers sat in their seats with serious expressions.
"You guys, are you ready?"
Bai Yixuan stared straight ahead at the front of the plane and whispered softly, "We are about to become the first group of Xia people to land on the moon."
"call..."
Hearing Bai Yixiuan's words, Hong Fan exhaled deeply, then reached out and rubbed his stiff face hard.
Seeing this scene, Xia Wanyi's mouth twitched slightly, revealing a slightly stiff smile.
"What? Can't you handle the pressure?"
Hong Fan rolled his eyes unhappily, took a few deep breaths and said softly, "I just didn't react."
"Who would have thought that Professor Lu would send us on a mission to the moon the next day right after the meeting? He didn't even give us time to prepare!"
Hearing Hong Fan's complaints, Bai Yixiuan showed a bitter smile on his face.
Not to mention Hong Fan, even he didn't expect it.
Although he had known for a long time that Xuannv-1 would land on the moon sooner or later, he never expected that this day would come so soon!
"Shh… shhh…"
There was a buzz of electricity over the radio.
The next moment, a clear voice was heard.
"Xuan Nu No. 1, received, please reply."
Bai Yixiuan's expression changed slightly, and he reached out and pressed the radio communication button.
"Xuan Nu No. 1 received, please speak!"
Lu Yongchang's voice came quickly: "Attention Xuannv No. 1, there are still 15 minutes before takeoff."
"receive!"
Bai Yixiuan responded while reaching out and pressing a few buttons on the console in front of him.
A low humming sound came from the soles of my feet.
On the dashboard, the fluctuating values in the neutron dose detector showed that the fusion reactor had started working.
"Everyone, relax a little." Lu Yongchang chuckled, "It's just a trip to the moon."
A bitter smile flashed across Bai Yixiu's eyes.
Just a trip to the moon?
That's easy to say...
"Professor Lu, can I ask you a question?" Xia Wanyi's voice sounded over the radio.
"Hmm? Go ahead!"
As takeoff approached, Lu Yongchang's attitude softened a lot, and he tried his best to avoid bringing too much psychological pressure to the pilot.
Hearing Lu Yongchang's steady voice, Xia Wanyi bit her lip lightly and whispered, "Professor Lu, can I ask, is the success rate of this moon landing high..."
"Wanyi!"
Bai Yixuan's expression changed slightly, and he scolded in a low voice: "What are you talking about!"
Is this question asked before takeoff?
He turned his head and glared at Xia Wanyi on his right, then quickly apologized to Lu Yongchang: "Professor Lu, I'm sorry, Xia Wanyi is under a lot of pressure, and what she said just now..."
Before he could finish his words, Lu Yongchang interrupted Bai Yixuan: "It's okay, I understand."
"After all, this is Xia Country's first manned lunar landing, so it's normal to be nervous."
After a moment of silence, Lu Yongchang's voice sounded again: "Wanyi, aerospace has never had a 100% success rate. I believe you know this better than me."
The moment she heard this, Xia Wanyi's eyelashes trembled slightly.
You are right.
Even the Xia Kingdom suffered a lot in the development of its aerospace industry.
"Although I can't tell you exactly what the success rate is, I can tell you one thing responsibly."
"Xuan Nu No. 1 and this moon landing plan have been verified repeatedly by all of us."
"At least, in theory, you won't be in any danger."
Lu Yongchang's steady and powerful voice reached the ears of the three drivers through the headphones, bringing some peace to their slightly restless hearts.
Bai Yixiuan glanced at the time on the console and the values on various dashboards and took a deep breath.
"Report!"
"Xuan Nu No. 1 is in normal condition and can take off at any time!"
The moment he heard these words, Lu Yongchang's expression suddenly became serious!
An aura of majesty without even being angry emanated from him naturally!
"Approved for takeoff!"
"Thirty second countdown begins!"
"…"
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
"take off!"
"I wish you all a safe journey!"
Following Lu Yongchang's order, a faint blue flame instantly appeared at the tail of Xuannv No. 1.
After a short run-up, Xuannv-1 drew a perfect arc in the night sky!
Target: The Moon!