Chapter 189: Versailles From The Professor
Inside the White House East Room, the atmosphere was heated.
Golden chandeliers cast soft light, illuminating rows of wooden chairs filled with reporters, all with notebooks open and pens in hand.
Reporters responsible for photography stood in the aisles between chairs, lenses aimed at the East Room entrance, ready to capture decisive moments.
A massive Stars and Stripes on the wall alongside the NASA flag.
This time, no Soviet Union hammer and sickle flag, and no invitation for Dobrynin either.
In the center of the East Room, a blue curtain behind the podium bore the White House badge.
When President Lyndon Johnson and White House core team members entered the East Room, the White House reporters who had been waiting here for a long time burst into warm applause.
Everyone felt genuine joy at the complete success of this cooperation.
Even reporters with conservative views who believed the Cold War should continue were happy that humanity had stepped on the Moon for the first time and returned safely to Earth, marking the first expansion of human exploration into the universe.
At this moment, no matter the stance, political viewpoint, or feelings toward the Soviet Union, they all seemed utterly unimportant; everyone shared one identity: humans bound to Earth.
President Lyndon Johnson strode to the podium, his figure casting a long shadow under the lights.
Suit impeccably tailored, tie perfectly knotted.
He adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the reporters, a confident smile on his lips.
Reporters in the audience raised their hands in unison, all eager to be the first to interview Lyndon Johnson after the successful US-Soviet joint moon landing mission.
The reporters had countless questions for him.
White House Press Secretary Bill Moyers stood to one side, holding a folder, speaking softly with his assistant. Vice President Humphrey and National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy stood in the back, expressions serious, occasionally exchanging words.
The reporters were impatient, questions surging like a tide.
Bill Moyers stepped forward quickly, tapped the microphone, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the White House’s special moon landing press conference.
I fully understand your excitement; my mood is just as thrilled as yours, and I completely get that you all have countless questions for President Johnson.
But we still need to follow the process; first, please welcome Mr. President for his opening remarks.”
Johnson cleared his throat, his voice booming with a Texas accent: “Ladies and gentlemen, today is a glorious moment in human history. Astronaut Yuri Gagarin successfully landed on the Moon and returned safely to Earth; this is an unprecedented feat.
Cooperation between America and the Soviet Union made this dream reality, especially NASA’s technology ensuring the mission’s complete success.”
He paused, surveying the room, well aware inwardly: I need to let the public know this is our victory. Gagarin being a Soviet person is fine, but in this moon landing, what truly mattered was NASA.
He continued: “This mission showcased the borderless power of science and proved America’s leadership position in space exploration. We applaud Gagarin’s courage, but we take pride in the professor’s great performance and NASA’s outstanding technology.”
Great, no need for more words.
Reporters jotted down notes, flashbulbs popping continuously.
Johnson gripped the podium edge, ready for questions.
He knew the reporters wouldn’t let him off easy.
CBS reporter Wright raised his hand first: “Mr. President, does this US-Soviet joint moon landing mark a new era in relations between the two countries? Can we expect a thaw in the Cold War?”
Johnson smiled faintly, his mind churning: Reporters indeed want me to take a stand.
He adjusted his tone, cautious yet firm: “This mission is a model of scientific cooperation, proving that in exploring the universe, humanity can stand shoulder to shoulder.
But international relations are never as simple as technology; America always puts national interest first. We welcome cooperation but remain vigilant.”
The reporters thought, as expected. The absence of the hammer and sickle flag and Dobrynin’s presence alone made White House beat reporters realize the Cold War was far from cooling.
UPI’s Helen Thomas stood, her tone sharp: “Mr. President, why was it a Soviet astronaut Gagarin who landed on the Moon, not an American? Does this mean we’re behind in the space race?
Or is it a symbol of the White House compromising with the Soviet Union? Handing the honor of the first Moon landing to a Soviet person?”
Johnson’s jaw tightened slightly, a flash of displeasure in his mind: Women are trouble; Thomas is like that, and so is Jenny.
Jenny and Thomas were the only two female White House reporters.
Thomas’s question hit a sore spot.
He took a deep breath, smile unwavering: “Helen, the moon landing isn’t a solo show; it’s a team victory.
Gagarin’s role was part of the agreement, but the mission’s core was American technology.
Without our fuel tank, Gagarin could hardly have stepped on the Moon, let alone returned.
We’ve never fallen behind in the space race; we celebrate Gagarin’s courage and determination, but our NASA engineers are the greatest contributors.”
ABC’s Edward R. Murrow raised his hand: “Mr. President, can you detail the American fuel tank’s role in the mission? How did it ensure Gagarin’s safe return?”
Johnson breathed a sigh of relief; this question was in his comfort zone.
He turned to Bill Moyers, signaling for data confirmation, tone proud: “Edward, the fuel tank is NASA’s masterpiece, loaded with 550 kilograms of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, with precise calculations ensuring the lunar module’s ascent and return.
Our professor single-handedly completed nearly all trajectory calculations, ensuring the fuel tank and Gagarin’s landing trajectory almost perfectly overlapped. This is the peak of American engineering!”
Reporters in the audience nodded frequently, inwardly admiring: NASA’s technology is indeed astonishing.
From the US-Soviet announcement of the joint moon landing, newspapers and television stations had experts and scholars analyzing the cooperation.
Technical details, cooperation challenges, success odds—any news-following member of the public could rattle them off.
Not to mention reporters who lived by disseminating news; they knew Lyndon Johnson was right—even the Soviet Union couldn’t deny that America’s demonstrated technology was more challenging.
Washington Post’s James Reston asked: “Mr. President, is this joint mission a one-off event or the start of future cooperation? Will we see more US-Soviet joint space missions?”
After a moment’s thought, Johnson said: “James, the path of scientific exploration is open. We will evaluate every opportunity to ensure it serves America’s interests.
NASA’s Saturn V program is accelerating; we will continue to lead space exploration.”
Reston jotted notes, then asked: “Mr. President, you mentioned our technological lead earlier. We have advantages, yet a Soviet person became the first human on the Moon.
Does this show NASA lacked focus in technical planning, poor coordination on the moon landing in the space race, leading to unavoidable errors in progress, forcing cooperation with the Soviet Union and letting Gagarin be the first human on the Moon?”
Johnson countered: “No, I don’t think so. We pursue a sustainable development model; we don’t chase short-term space race victories. We aim for repeated Moon landings, gradually building a moon base.
If we can land once now but not in the future, wouldn’t that be a joke? Our competition with the Soviet Union isn’t decided by who lands first; our technical strength in space won’t make us losers just because Gagarin was the executor.”
New York Times’ Jenny stood: “Mr. President, some domestic critics say cooperating with the Soviet Union is compromising with socialism. How do you respond?”
Johnson’s eyes narrowed, back straightening, voice booming: “Strength isn’t sloganeering; it’s getting things done. We provided the fuel tank, calculations, and communication support, leading the mission’s key phases.
Cooperation is for science, not compromise.
Anyone doubting our determination should look at NASA’s achievements!
In the future, America will reach the Moon on its own!”
Jenny pressed: “Will NASA conduct moon landing missions independently next?”
Johnson stated matter-of-factly: “Of course; that’s always been our goal.”
As questions wound down, Johnson surveyed the room, tone solemn: “Thank you for your questions. This mission is humanity’s milestone; America is proud to have participated. We will continue exploring the stars, opening new frontiers for all humanity.”
He turned and left the podium, steps firm.
Moyers hurried after, whispering: “Mr. President, perfect performance.”
Johnson whispered back: “Hope so, Bill. But the reporters won’t let us off easy.”
Humphrey and Bundy followed; Humphrey whispered to Bundy: “He downplayed the cooperation; voters will like it.”
Bundy nodded.
Johnson returned to the Oval Office, sank into the leather chair, lit a cigar, and exhaled smoke. Inwardly excited yet weary. This could be shaped as his personal success, depending on how public opinion was guided.
Reporters swarmed out, rushing to telegraphs to file stories.
The moon landing launch was December 15; Gagarin’s smooth return to Earth was six days later.
NASA employees could enjoy a long vacation, including Lin Ran.
As usual, on December 24, the annual New York Mathematicians’ Christmas Party was held.
Because of Lin Ran’s participation, the entire conference’s stature rose another level.
American mathematicians took pride in receiving an invitation to the New York Mathematicians’ Christmas Party.
Even from Los Angeles on the West Coast, they flew thousands of miles to attend.
It was more national than just New York.
Princeton was jealous.
They couldn’t pull it off, but Columbia University and New York City University picked up the bargain.
“Hello everyone; honestly, a bit embarrassed.” Lin Ran stepped to the podium in Columbia’s largest lecture hall, facing mathematicians from across America and even Europe.
Lin Ran hadn’t wanted to speak, but both Harvey Cohn and Columbia University’s head of mathematics department hoped he would give an opening speech at this time.
Even if not about mathematics.
Say whatever he wanted.
Harvey Cohn’s meaning was: Even if you talk about the food in Huntsville City around Redstone Arsenal, you have to take the stage and say a few words this year.
Unable to refuse the hospitality, Lin Ran had no choice.
“It’s been a long time since I did mathematical research; I almost forgot I was a mathematician.
Only on Christmas Eve each year, meeting with you colleagues, do I realize I’m still a mathematician.”
After Lin Ran spoke, laughter erupted from the audience.
“Another year gone by.
Feels like I’ve aged another year.
No satisfactory achievements in mathematics; just participated in a project with hundreds of thousands, sending humanity 238,000 miles to the Moon and bringing him back.
Played a certain role in it.”
Though unaware of “Versailles,” everyone detected thick show-off vibes from Lin Ran.
What “just,” what “certain role.”
Harvey Cohn in the audience led cheers and screams:
“Randolph, well done!”
“Professor, great job.”
“Sign an autograph for me later! To give my son as a Christmas gift.”
“Next time, can you go to the Moon yourself!”
The atmosphere was electric.
Unlike usual mathematics seminars, where everyone furrowed brows in frantic thought, zoning out meant losing the thread.
“Alright, I’ll satisfy everyone.
Those wanting signatures, come find me; I’ll sign for each of you.
I, Randolph, am at least somewhat famous.” Lin Ran laughed.
Another wave of laughter from the audience.
Lin Ran continued: “But considering this is a mathematicians’ gathering.
An annual event for New York and American mathematicians.
I think I should talk about something math-related.
Since joining NASA in ’61, I’ve truly stepped away from frontline mathematical research; compared to Professor Grothendieck, he’s made faster progress on the Randolph Program these years.
I don’t want to fool you with mere ideas.
Of course, two years ago at the mathematician conference, my proof of the four color map conjecture seemed well-received.
I know Columbia University’s mathematicians sent the computer-generated result to New Progress in Mathematics magazine for review.
But this time, no ideas; I’ll wait a couple years, produce something of value, then show it to you all.
Like the twin prime conjecture; at most a year, next year’s New York, I’ll definitely provide a complete proof for everyone.”
Discussion rippled through the audience; only Lin Ran could say that—anyone else, disbelief.
Because it was Lin Ran, everyone was already looking forward to next year’s New York Mathematicians’ Christmas Party.
“So, let’s talk something light today.
Let’s discuss mathematics, especially the math used in the moon landing.
This applied mathematics content should be easy for everyone here to understand.
My talk as an appetizer, paving the way for the subsequent speakers.”
