Chapter 281: Burning One Modified
Since Apollo Technology’s moon landing, questions about Apollo Technology and Lin Ran on Zhihu have grown exponentially.
Especially in the aerospace sector, a large number of netizens compare Apollo Technology with SpaceX.
Both sides have their supporters.
Among them, the core argument of SpaceX supporters is that Falcon 9 opened history, and reusable rockets globally can only be handled by SpaceX.
Apollo Technology is certainly impressive, but it’s also standing on the shoulders of predecessors, not original work.
This kind of knockoff technological development has emerged too much in China over the past few decades.
Apollo Technology’s supporters cling to the moon landing, saying it’s the first in the 21st century. If knockoffs were really that easy, why haven’t all the other aerospace agencies in the world done it? Why hasn’t SpaceX sent astronauts to the moon? Is it because they don’t want to?
Both sides are arguing fiercely in Zhihu’s aerospace sector.
But one point both sides do not deny is that Apollo Technology will eventually master reusable rockets; it’s just a matter of time.
One year, three years, or five years.
Even SpaceX’s most loyal supporters believe that under Lin Ran’s leadership, Apollo Technology can master China’s version of reusable rockets in at most five years.
As for the aircraft carrier forum on Baidu Tieba, how long it will take Apollo Technology to produce reusable rockets has become a daily topic.
Posts discussing it from various angles can be seen every day.
“Do you think after achieving success and fame, one might lose the drive to strive? I see many successful people lose their previous drive after unimaginable success. Will Ran Shen be the same?
I feel that with Ran Shen’s appearance and fame, the temptations he faces should far exceed those of other tycoons of the same level.”
“Does anyone know the recent progress on SpaceX’s Burning One Modified? Why no news?”
“Where’s the Bilibili documentary team? They stopped after the moon landing? I still want to know the progress of Apollo Technology’s reusable rocket R&D!”
“Honestly, is reusable rocket harder than Saturn V?”
“Actually, just pay attention to one indicator: the withdrawal status of investors behind domestic commercial aerospace agencies, especially head state-owned investment funds like Shenzhen Capital Group, National Development Manufacturing Upgrade Fund, Yangtze River Aerospace Industry Fund. They have the most accurate information and are the main players in the private aerospace field in recent years.
If Apollo Technology’s reusable rocket makes progress, these funds will definitely be the first to pull out; they are state-owned capital themselves, so they’ll get the news first.”
Chinese citizens also have demand for Winning Studies; everyone hopes China can keep winning, best to win to the point of numbness.
Therefore, after the moon landing, everyone is getting greedy, hoping to master reusable rockets as soon as possible. After all, it’s not that novel; Falcon 9’s 1.0 version succeeded in 2010.
Everyone has full confidence in Apollo Technology. With a technical route and successful case precedent, Apollo Technology can definitely replicate it.
However, no one expected it wouldn’t be five years or three years, but one year—Apollo Technology will master reusable rockets this year.
At Apollo Technology’s temporary office location in the rocket test center, everyone is sorting through the massive information generated by the seven YF-102 engines just received.
The entire data collection process is relatively complex, not only measuring the total thrust generated by the rocket engine through force sensors installed on the test bench, but also requiring a complete data acquisition system to record in real time the thrust variation curve of each engine over time, ensuring even thrust distribution.
Measurements go far beyond thrust, including combustion chamber pressure, propellant dosage, temperature of various components, rocket vibration and noise levels, etc.
On the huge screen, data streams scroll like a waterfall.
The above are all structured data, that is, data that can be processed by programs.
Modern rocket testing also includes video data. Yes, rocket developers also use high-speed cameras to capture visual information of the test process, including flame ejection, engine operating status, and any abnormal phenomena.
These videos help subsequent analysis and data cross-verification.
So compared to the 1960s, the current work mechanism is more complex and more complete.
This reflects progress in technology as well as progress in concepts.
The room was filled with whispers and keyboard tapping sounds.
“Alright, everyone,” Lin Ran’s voice was steady, piercing through the room’s clamor, “let’s begin. Engineer Li, first summarize the test situation for us.”
Engineer Li is not Li Rui; Li Rui does orbital calculation. This Engineer Li’s full name is Li Bin, same name as NIO’s Li Bin. He is a former China Aerospace engineer, later chief engineer at a private aerospace agency, recently approached Apollo Technology proactively, and joined after three rounds of review.
After joining, he quickly became the chief engineer of the propulsion system due to his extensive experience.
Li Bin, in his early forties, had obsession with technology in his eyes: “From real-time monitoring, the seven engines ignited smoothly and burned stably.
Total thrust reached expectations, no obvious anomalies.”
Lin Ran nodded, but his gaze turned to data analyst Wang Lei.
Wang Lei was buried in his computer, fingers flying on the keyboard, screen switching various charts.
“Engineer Wang, is the thrust data ready?”
“Almost done, professor.” Wang Lei replied.
The main screen switched to the thrust curve diagram, seven lines almost perfectly overlapping, each engine’s thrust stable at around 835 kN, total thrust reaching 5845 kN.
“Looks good.” Li Bin said softly, but he immediately frowned, scrutinizing the curve, “Any fluctuations?”
Wang Lei zoomed in on the chart, “Fluctuations are within tolerance, maximum deviation less than 0.5%.”
Lin Ran asked: “What about combustion chamber pressure?”
Wang Lei switched to pressure data, “Each engine pressure stable at 12.5 MPa, no abnormal fluctuations.”
Finally switched from imperial to metric units; Lin Ran didn’t feel much difference, but other team members found it much more habitual.
A low sigh of relief came from the crowd in the meeting room.
Because stable pressure means efficient and safe combustion process, one of the indicators they care most about. Pressure fluctuations may indicate unstable combustion or propellant supply issues, one of the most common problems other countries encounter in reusable rocket development.
“How about temperature data?” Lin Ran continued to ask. He knew any overheating could lead to material damage, delaying the entire plan.
Wang Lei pulled up the temperature curve, “Nozzle temperature peaked at 1200 degrees Celsius, far below material limits. Thermal protection system performed well, structural temperature within safe range.”
Confirming key components’ temperatures are within safe range is to avoid overheating or material damage; nozzle temperature too high may indicate cooling system failure.
“What about propellant flow? Mixture ratio as designed?” Lin Ran asked.
“Liquid oxygen and kerosene mixture ratio 2.6:1, flow stable, no blockage or cavitation.” Wang Lei answered confidently.
At this moment, young engineer Liu Haibo raised his hand, voice slightly hesitant, “Professor, I noticed Engine No. 4 had a slight thrust drop around 60 seconds, very brief, but I want to mention it.”
The room instantly fell silent, all gazes focused on him.
Lin Ran decided instantly: “Engineer Wang, zoom in on that data segment.”
Wang Lei operated quickly, screen showing Engine No. 4’s thrust curve.
Indeed, at 60 seconds, thrust dropped about 2%, recovered after two seconds.
Li Bin frowned and approached the screen, “This could be a brief disturbance in the fuel line. Let’s check corresponding pressure and flow data.”
Wang Lei pulled up the data, “Pressure and flow normal during that period.”
Lin Ran’s mind flashed countless possibilities: sensor failure? Fuel bubble? Or design flaw?
At such times, experience comes into play. With video, the problem can be quickly identified, and there must be a solution, Lin Ran firmly believed.
“Any video record? Let’s see the situation then.” Lin Ran asked.
Technician Xiao Chen quickly played the high-speed camera footage; on screen, Engine No. 4’s flame was stable, no abnormal ejection or color change.
“Doesn’t look like a hardware issue.” Li Bin breathed a sigh of relief, “Possibly transient fluctuation in fuel flow, occasionally occurs in single engine tests, usually harmless.”
Lin Ran decisively said: “Compare with simulation model, see if it predicted this phenomenon.”
Wang Lei opened simulation results, “Model shows possible brief thrust fluctuation due to tiny bubbles in fuel line, but within safe range.”
Lin Ran nodded: “Good, record it. If it recurs in subsequent tests, we’ll investigate further.”
The team continued analyzing remaining data, including vibration levels and structural stress.
Vibration data showed rocket structure stable during ignition, no resonance.
Vibration data helps identify potential structural fatigue or engine instability issues.
Why Starship keeps exploding: too many engines, resonance issue unsolvable.
Landing legs and grid fins deployment mechanisms also passed tests, though not actually used in static fire.
After over an hour of analysis, Lin Ran finally spoke, “I think this test was a complete success. All parameters within design range; we can proceed to the next phase.”
“Now, everyone, we can start preparing for suborbital test.” Lin Ran concluded.
The control room erupted in warm applause, tension replaced by joy.
Engineers high-fived each other, sharing the milestone achievement. For engineers deeply involved in Burning One Modified, another China first was about to be born in their hands.
From the first Chinese private aerospace medium rocket Burning No. 1, to China’s first Saturn V, to now China’s first reusable rocket, the qualifiers before “first” get fewer each time.
After time entered April, Burning One Modified was to conduct its first suborbital launch. In his office, Lin Ran said to Li Rui: “Engineer Li, this suborbital launch is yours. I can’t personally go to Wenchang for every rocket launch.”
Li Rui felt both excited and nervous inside; excited because it was clearly a great training opportunity.
As a rapidly expanding company, Li Rui saw double-digit new employee joins in the company group almost daily.
This was a vigorously developing company full of hope and unlimited bright prospects.
Meanwhile, from executives to middle management to grassroots supervisors, there were countless vacancies.
Because Apollo Technology’s tech attributes are too strong, these vacancies can’t be filled by just anyone parachuting in.
Even if your background is sky-high, if you parachute in without understanding, you won’t last; if you can’t solve any employee’s problems, what kind of management is that?
So everyone is full of drive, and Li Rui is no exception, wanting to seize this opportunity.
Nervous because this was his first time hosting a rocket launch; Lin Ran has never failed—not just a slogan, but witnessed fact.
Neither Burning No. 1 nor Saturn V has failed even once.
If he goes and fails the first time, never mind taking the blame; failing once means no good luck, making future opportunities even harder.
Don’t say tech companies aren’t superstitious.
Tech companies are just as superstitious; see how 4V tech companies place “Guai Guai” on equipment before mass production.
It’s a puffed corn snack; they must place the green-packaged, cream coconut flavor one.
Any electronic equipment, including computers, production instruments, even lab instruments—as long as electronic, they place a pack of Guai Guai to guard, claiming “You one pack, me one pack, machine won’t glitch.”
In 2016, TSMC’s 14A fab in Southern Taiwan Science Park was hit hard by earthquake but restored production capacity quickly; the factory director specially made 5000 packs of green Guai Guai to encourage employees.
(TSMC limited edition Guai Guai)
It’s become custom.
So superstition is even more serious in the tech industry.
If your launch fails once, even if unrelated to you, you might lose all future participation chances.
Can’t not be nervous.
Wenchang launch site shrouded in thin fog, sunlight piercing clouds onto the rocket standing on the launch pad, reflecting metal sheen.
In Wenchang’s control room, screen glow lit engineers’ faces; everyone fully focused.
This was the first launch without Lin Ran.
This time, Burning One Modified’s first suborbital test, goal: rocket first stage ascends to 10 km then safely returns, verifying reusability.
Bilibili live broadcast throughout; though workday, live room still flooded with massive audience—reusable rockets still very novel in China at this time.
“Check in!”
“Can it work without Ran Shen?”
“No, no commentary without Ran Shen? Like SpaceX with no commentary? You don’t think I can really understand it, right?”
“Where’s my commentary? Without it, who tells me if success or failure!”
Video only shows rocket, plus morning workday, yet live room viewers broke a million; netizens chatting happily in live room.
“Only one demand: don’t explode like Starship prototype, smoothly complete reusability!”
Starship official launch in 2023, but prototype tests from 2020; SN8 suborbital 12.5 km then exploded Dec 2020, SN9 Feb 2021 engine failure crashed exploded on return.
Burning One Modified scale naturally smaller than Starship, but this is China’s first after all; live room public very nervous.
Li Rui stood in control room center, gaze sweeping rows of screens, shirt sleeves rolled up, fine sweat on forehead despite full AC.
He knew this test result wouldn’t affect company future development, but crucial for him personally.
Success would mean solid step toward executive ranks.
“All teams report status.” Li Rui’s voice broke control room silence.
“Propulsion system normal, seven YF-102 engines on standby.” Li Bin said confidently.
He stood beside Li Rui, staring at engine parameter screen.
They recently confirmed in static fire that Engine No. 4’s brief fluctuation was acceptable; today he paid extra attention to its performance.
“Fuel loading complete, liquid oxygen and kerosene full, mixture ratio 2.6:1.” Fuel team engineer responded.
“Grid fins and landing legs systems checked, deployable anytime.” Young engineer Xiao Zhang pushed his glasses, voice slightly tense.
As a fresh Jiaotong University aerospace major PhD grad, this was his first major test responsibility; grid fins control algorithm optimized overnight under Lin Ran’s guidance with team.
Strictly speaking, he was Lin Ran’s direct senior classmate; Lin Ran undergrad from Jiaotong University Aerospace College, but now Lin Ran guides him.
Xiao Zhang initially felt unadapted, but now without Lin Ran’s guidance he’d panic; in his mind, professor was like Doraemon’s almighty analyzer.
He was anxious inside, worried any tiny deviation affects landing precision.
Li Rui nodded, gaze turned outside the window.
Rocket stood majestically on launch pad, seven YF-102 engine nozzles gleaming in morning light.
He took a deep breath: “Start countdown.”
“Countdown begins, T minus 60 seconds.” Announcer’s voice echoed via speaker in control room.
Screens showed rocket real-time imagery and data streams updating synchronously.
Team members held breath, fingers hovering over keyboards, ready for any emergency.
“T minus 10, 9, 8…” Announcer’s voice steady and clear.
Xiao Zhang stared at grid fins control panel, heart racing.
Screen showed grid fins algorithm; his attention not on notebook computer display, mentally rechecking algorithm repeatedly, praying smooth.
“5, 4, 3, 2, 1—ignition!” Announcer shouted.
Seven YF-102 engines ignited simultaneously, flames surging from nozzles, huge roar shaking control room.
Screen showed total thrust climbing rapidly to 5845 kN, rocket slowly leaving launch pad, breaking through fog, stabbing into sky.
“Rocket clear of tower!” Controller reported loudly.
Li Rui’s gaze locked on main screen; thrust curve steady, seven engines working in sync, even thrust distribution.
“Thrust vector control normal, all engine parameters within expectations.” Li Bin said softly, corners of mouth slightly up.
“Altitude 2 km, speed 200 m/s.” Controller continued reporting.
Rocket kept climbing, through clouds, speed gradually increasing.
Control room atmosphere tense yet orderly; everyone busy at posts, monitoring every rocket movement.
“Altitude 5 km, speed 500 m/s, approaching max dynamic pressure.” Controller’s voice slightly urgent.
“Through Max Q.” Li Bin confirmed, sighing relief.
Max dynamic pressure is rocket structure’s biggest test; smooth pass means reliable design.
“Altitude 10 km, speed 1.2 km/s, prepare first stage separation.” Controller’s voice loud and clear.
Li Rui clenched fist, expectant yet nervous inside.
Critical moment; first stage separation and return decide test success or failure.
“Execute separation.” He ordered.
“First stage shutdown, separation confirmed!” Controller reported.
Screen showed first stage separating from second; second continued ascent, but this test focus on first stage return, second with dummy payload to verify separation.
“First stage at apex, beginning descent.” Controller’s voice with hint of excitement.
“Grid fins deploy!” Xiao Zhang shouted, fingers flying on keyboard.
Screen showed grid fins unfolding from folded state, adjusting angle for crosswinds.
Xiao Zhang stared at control data; grid fins response in milliseconds, algorithm real-time adjusting rocket attitude.
“Grid fins response normal, adjusting wind shear.” Xiao Zhang’s voice focused.
His heartbeat synced with data refresh; he knew precise grid fins control key to landing success.
“Altitude 5 km, speed 800 m/s.” Controller continued.
Li Rui’s gaze switched between screens; thrust, pressure, temperature data normal. He whispered to Li Bin: “Pay special attention to Engine No. 4; had fluctuation in last static test.”
“Understood.” Li Bin replied, eyes glued to engine data. Engine No. 4 thrust curve steady, no anomalies.
“Altitude 1 km, speed 300 m/s, prepare landing burn.” Controller raised volume.
“Initiate landing burn, using Engines 1 and 7, throttle to 70%.” Li Bin ordered.
YF-102 engine throttling allows precise thrust control; two engines enough to slow descent for soft landing.
“Landing burn start!” Controller shouted.
Screen showed two engines igniting, flames ejecting again, rocket speed dropping rapidly.
“Altitude 500 m, speed 100 m/s.” Controller’s voice nearly drowned in control room tension.
“Grid fins to max control angle.” Xiao Zhang reported, sweat sliding down forehead.
His algorithm handling sudden crosswind; grid fins adjusted quickly, keeping rocket vertical—fortunately, crosswind most common emergency, their algorithm accounted for it.
“Altitude 100 m, 50 m, 10 m…” Controller’s voice increasingly urgent.
Li Rui held breath, hands gripping console edge.
His mind flashed countless scenes: team’s efforts, his previous private aerospace agency’s bankruptcy, Apollo Technology’s past moon landing miracle.
“Landed!” Controller shouted.
Screen showed first stage steadily on launch pad center, landing legs firmly supporting rocket.
Control room silent for a moment, then erupted in cheers.
Xiao Zhang slumped in chair, long exhale, face showing irrepressible smile.
“Landing success! Rocket stable!” Announcer confirmed.
Li Rui laughed: “Check landing precision and structural status.”
He stayed calm on surface to mask inner excitement.
“Landing precision within 37 cm of target!” Wang Lei, data analyst, reported excitedly.
He pulled up landing data, showing rocket nearly perfectly on predetermined spot.
“Engine status?” Li Rui pressed.
“All engines normal, no abnormal fluctuations. Engine No. 4 performed stably.” Li Bin answered proudly.
Li Rui nodded to team: “Well done, but this is just the start. Prepare site inspection; I’ll report to professor now!”
Launch site bathed in golden sunlight.
Li Bin led small engineer team to landed first stage.
Rocket stood on launch pad, surface with some burn marks, but overall structure intact.
Landing legs steadily supported rocket, grid fins still deployed, showing excellent descent performance.
Xiao Zhang carefully checked grid fins, found slight ablation on one side, but within design tolerance.
“Grid fins withstood wind shear, performance exceeded expectations.” He said softly, pride in eyes.
Li Bin squatted to check engine nozzles, found some thermal protection coating flaking, but no structural damage.
“Engines in good condition, can be refurbished for reuse.” He said smiling.
In Bilibili live room, when intact Earth-return structure with burn marks of Burning One Modified appeared in video, bullet screen exploded—everyone waited so long for this moment?
Like watching soccer: 90 minutes plus halftime and extra time over two hours, all for those highlight moments?
“66666”
“Witnessing history!”
“Again, we did what others couldn’t!”
“Europe and Japan reusable rocket companies probably numb now”
“Not just them; I bet domestic private aerospace investors also numb.”
“As expected of Apollo Technology; progress bar like triple speed.”
“Now Musk should be nervous; if Starship fails again, Apollo Technology catches up in SpaceX’s strongest domain!”
“Thanks Apollo Technology, look forward to next, next-next witnessing more miracles!”
“Look.” Lin Ran handed phone to Pony; Pony took it, saw middle-aged man beside rocket in photo, gazing up at it, sensing emotions in his heart.
This feeling wondrous; back when they made QQ China’s top social software, Tencent Five Tigers at Seg Science Park, photos had this feeling.
Now, company bigger, but this feeling gone.
Not just him; Tencent employees hard to recapture startup passion.
Big company disease almost inevitable destiny for every company.
Giants rising in each era wave can’t avoid it.
“Succeeded?” Pony asked.
Lin Ran nodded then added: “Process relatively smooth overall. Of course, suborbital test success just starting point; subsequent Shanghai team needs to analyze flight data like thrust curves, grid fins response, landing legs stress, etc., cross-check one by one, confirm test fully successful from data perspective.
I saw their report: landing precision 37 cm, thermal protection system and engine status good.
But eyes can deceive; data won’t.
We need follow-up data to ensure test success.
Plus orbital tests and commercial operation ahead, bigger tests.”
Pony sighed: “No, Lin Sheng, for you, orbital tests or commercial operation are small potatoes. I’ve seen Apollo Technology about to sweep the aerospace field like Qin Shi Huang unifying six states.
Just like you said in interview: in rocket launch field, other companies have no reason to exist.”
Pony battle-hardened from countless internet wars, Tencent sole spanning PC and mobile; naturally wouldn’t find Lin Ran’s behavior cruel.
Quite opposite, he admired it.
From businessman view, what’s better business than monopoly?
WeChat or QQ, essentially monopoly business too?
“Good we invested some commercial aerospace in 2020, none after. One you probably heard: Moon Express.” Pony joked: “Investors in rocket commercial aerospace around me now all downcast, thinking how to exit daily.”
Lin Ran curiously: “Moon Express?”
Pony nodded: “Yes, we invested a bit in A round, again in B round 2017. Recently they shouted replicating Apollo moon landing in five years? We one-click cleared, transferred all shares to Goldman Sachs; they wanted to take over.”
Lin Ran asked: “Goldman Sachs? They really believe five-year moon landing?”
Pony waved hands: “Whether five years or not doesn’t matter; key is keep passing hot potato.
Backed by Goldman Sachs and Peter Thiel, whether succeed or not, they’ll push listing fast. Moon Express established long, some tech accumulation.
During replication, keep releasing news: F-1 engine done today, lunar module replication good tomorrow, next day aerospace big names endorse, sign NASA contracts meanwhile.
Pure capital operations, US Stock Market world’s best, especially for America native capital.”
Moon Express with Goldman Sachs can’t list? Joke; Faraday Future listed without selling a car, PPT listing, still lingering on Nasdaq; Moon Express even more so.
Lin Ran understood after hearing: “Did Goldman Sachs invest before?”
“No.” Pony answered: “Probably your moon landing sniffed commercial aerospace era coming. Spring river warms duck knows first; Goldman Sachs ducks’ noses too sharp, came smelling.
They want to practice hand with Moon Express first.
Of course I didn’t want to sell initially, but Goldman Sachs price fair, plus them shouting moon landing with China capital backing inappropriate, so smoothly exited.”
Pony doesn’t want to play capital game? Of course, but doesn’t need personally; plenty underlings play for him.
Problem: Tencent is Chinese company; no matter emphasize capital diversity, still Chinese company.
So Pony chose small profit exit, even knowing good business, left table.
And this just one ripple in Lin Ran moon landing chain reactions.
World is complex system; many things same as before, yet different.
Pony’s main purpose this trip: as agreed beforehand, transfer all 30% Apollo Technology shares he held to Lin Ran.
He handed equity transfer agreement to Lin Ran: “Lin Sheng, this Tencent’s 30% Apollo Technology equity; we’ll cooperate on subsequent transfer process.”
Initially, Apollo Technology shares: Shanghai Sci-Tech Investment and Buzz Aldrin each 49%, Lin Ran held 2%.
Later Buzz Aldrin sold 30% to Tencent for 50 million USD.
Now, with Burning One Modified suborbital test complete, Apollo Technology capital market valuation at least 100 billion RMB.
This assuming no Nasdaq or Hong Kong Stock Market listing.
Pony’s move like casually giving away 30 billion.
Pony appeared nonchalant; Lin Ran knew convincing Tencent board directors not easy.
Buzz Aldrin’s shares also transferred to Lin Ran.
After Buzz Aldrin successfully returned to Earth, his children specially went to Hong Kong trying to enter Shanghai to persuade him not to transfer shares.
If transfer, at least to Chinese person.
But they neither reached Shanghai nor convinced Buzz Aldrin.
Pony’s plus Buzz Aldrin’s now mean Lin Ran holds 51% Apollo Technology shares, plus Shanghai Sci-Tech Investment’s voting rights agreement to Lin Ran.
Meaning, Lin Ran achieved complete control of Apollo Technology.
100% control.
Lin Ran took share transfer agreement from Pony, smiled: “Pony, Apollo Technology will finance later; I guarantee Tencent priority investment rights.”
Tencent lose? From long-term ops, absolutely not.
Logic simple: Pony could deny, but consequence Lin Ran might abandon Apollo Technology shell—assets limited—start anew.
Win-lose for both.
Now, Tencent spent 50 million USD for early boarding pass on Lin Ran’s big ship.
Yes, Lin Ran’s, not Apollo Technology’s.
Pony smiled too: “Lin Sheng, rest assured; I support promising juniors from home province wholeheartedly.
Moreover, you’re not just promising; ‘humanity’s hope’ not exaggeration.
After building Tencent, invested many companies, know truth: invest company is invest person, and you’re era’s best target.
On ability, you far exceed any same-age.”
Lin Ran didn’t respond, instead talked Apollo Technology future plans:
“Pony, subsequent financing at least 100 billion start; much to do, myriad threads; consult you industry senior.”
Pony sipped tea: “Speak freely.”
“First, office park. My idea no need build building, but ready commercial real estate plentiful, few suit our operations.
Especially I hope cluster rocket production base, rocket test center, control center, astronaut training base, etc. together.
From this angle, we do need build park.
Plus Shanghai side hopes we drive Baoshan area development; building park fastest way.
Just build most urgent first, then expand outward from center.
Next, our organizational structure. Plan expand to 10,000 people this year; such fast expansion makes structure critical.
What management mode, salary system setup, promotion system build, right people right posts.
These, just thinking gives headache; especially can’t copy SpaceX mode wholesale.
Because domestic differs from abroad, and our tasks differ from SpaceX.”
Lin Ran of course wanted continue swarm management, two layers, direct contact every employee, one-on-one assign work.
Confident even 100,000 employees, he could manage.
Problem time; time cruelest. Even top brain, others don’t have; Lin Ran 30 days month, 43,200 minutes total.
Meaning, 5 minutes per employee one-on-one, only connect 8,640 people.
Such times, good organizational structure crucial.
Lin Ran continued: “Finally, revenue; can’t always rely financing, just one of this year’s tasks.
Feel every position lacks right person; need quickly build management team.
Pony, these main issues I’m facing now.”
Pony after listening felt great sense accomplishment; human nature loves teaching, guiding Lin Ran explodes achievement sense.
Even if no help to relations, Pony felt must use lifetime skills, make other look up to him:
“From what I hear, all your troubles boil down to one point: lack capable enough CEO to manage everything for you.”
