Chapter 185: The True Micro-management Master
“Oh!”
“Well done!”
“That’s great!”
When the photos were transmitted worldwide via television signal, the audience and reporters in the studio also saw the photos.
Everyone was cheering, applauding, and praying that Gagarin could return to Earth.
Seeing the public at this moment, even the conservatives in the southern states, genuinely happy for Gagarin’s successful arrival on the Moon, considering it a great victory for all humanity.
“Amazing!” In the White House Press Room, Helens and Jenny beside her said softly.
Because it was full of reporters here, the cheers and discussions were much quieter than outside.
Plus, this was the White House after all, so everyone wasn’t too keen on shouting loudly.
Even so, the discussion voices could still be heard through the room to the corridor outside.
Jenny was also clapping lightly, and upon hearing Helens’ words, she turned her head and said to her: “Yes, now the only suspense is whether Gagarin can return to Earth smoothly.”
Helens asked: “Jenny, when can our fuel tank land on the Moon?”
Jenny said: “The professor told me before…”
Before Jenny finished speaking, the nearby reporters crowded over upon hearing it.
Everyone gathered around Jenny in a circle, wanting to get first-hand news from her.
“Okay, okay, this isn’t any secret anyway, you’ll know sooner or later.
Now our lunar module is already waiting in lunar orbit.
Waiting for the specific landing point provided by the Soviet Union, then we will first perform a maneuver, lowering the orbit to a height of only 15 kilometers from the lunar surface.
This major operation is called descent orbit insertion.”
The reporters present listened attentively, “And then, Miss Hearst, don’t keep us in suspense.”
Jenny continued: “This maneuver will last about 12 minutes.
Then it’s powered descent, the lunar module uses the descent engine to descend to the lunar surface.
In the braking phase, the engine decelerates to control the descent speed, then in the approach phase, adjusts the lunar module’s attitude to ensure a soft landing.
I estimate that the time NASA gets the news of seeing the photo of Gagarin’s successful moon landing on the news will only be earlier than us, not later.
The Soviet Union must have provided data and photos to NASA first to help NASA determine the landing point.
So possibly now, our lunar module is already in the descent orbit phase, who knows.”
The reporters exclaimed upon hearing this, then clasped their hands together in prayer: “Pray for NASA, pray for the professor, you must succeed!”
Indeed, just as Jenny guessed, the photos and landing point parameters had long been transmitted to NASA.
The moment the photos arrived at the Redstone Arsenal control center, the always tense atmosphere suddenly erupted, and cheers rang out on site.
After the cheers subsided, Lin Ran said loudly: “The Soviet Union has completed their task, now it’s our turn to complete ours!”
Lin Ran stood at the central console, taking the telegraph note handed over by the technician, which printed the latest data transmitted back from the Soviet Union.
Lin Ran quickly scanned it, his voice low: “The Soviet landing craft successfully landed at mission time T+76 hours, coordinates 0.67408 degrees north latitude, 23.47297 degrees east longitude, error within 100 meters.
Photos confirm, landing craft intact!”
“Wow!” The control center erupted in cheers again.
“Professor, what should we do now.”
“Professor, give your orders quickly.”
Lin Ran nodded: “John, pull up the ephemeris!”
“John, adjust the yaw angle for lunar injection, adjust right by 0.1 degrees!”
“John, have them check the propulsion system’s fuel remaining!”
“Good, fuel remaining is 12%, adjusting 0.1 degrees requires adding about 5 meters per second delta-v, according to the fuel parameter model calculation, more than enough.
Notify Cape Canaveral, update the landing plan, perform TLI update parameters, descent orbit insertion time in 10 minutes 30 seconds, burn for 5 minutes 20 seconds, yaw angle 0.1 degrees.
Have them confirm immediately!”
Lin Ran stopped pretending altogether.
No more IBM computer, no more computer cluster calculations needed, I’ll give you the answers directly!
The fake micro-management master, person in Jinling, commanding machine gun positions in a battle thousands of miles away, intervening in frontline soldiers’ choices with personally signed death telegraphs.
Then Lin Ran is the real micro-management master, person in Huntsville, precisely controlling the lunar module landing 320,000 kilometers from Earth.
Without that ability, micro-management is purely harmful, but with that ability, micro-management is precise command, perfectly completing the task.
That is, Lin Ran has already established unparalleled prestige within NASA.
Internally Lyndon Johnson, externally John Morgan.
So much so that NASA’s internal engineers jokingly say that joining NASA means you can’t avoid three things: eating, sleeping, and the professor.
After Lin Ran’s commands reached Cape Canaveral, they were just surprised that IBM’s new computer cluster calculation was a bit too fast, but didn’t think much more.
At this time on the lunar surface, Gagarin wearing a thick spacesuit with internal life support system.
After completing planting the flag and taking photos transmitted back to Earth, he still had a lot of work to do.
It wasn’t just standing on the lunar surface waiting for America’s fuel tank.
He first had to check the lunar module’s power and oxygen to ensure safety.
Then set up scientific instruments, like seismograph, laser reflector, and solar wind collector, for collecting data.
Finally, the most laborious work: he needed to clear the landing area, ensure no obstacles, to facilitate pushing America’s fuel tank back to the side of the command module later.
Not at all like what the Earth public thought at this moment, lying on the lunar surface gazing at the sky, doing nothing while waiting for America’s fuel tank to arrive.
Additionally, Gagarin needed to coordinate via communication channel with the Soviet Space Agency and NASA’s control center:
“All systems currently normal, waiting for ‘Eagle’ to descend.”
America’s lunar module is called “Eagle”, accurately speaking Eagle-1.
“Roger, Comrade Gagarin, message from NASA side, their lunar module expected to land in 30 minutes, please wait patiently, pay attention to check the timer, communicate anytime if there’s a problem.”
Until five minutes before the time for Earth’s feedback, Gagarin finally had a moment free.
Tension and excitement gradually enveloped him.
He was in the lunar module, gazing through the window at the horizon, lost in thought.
What if America’s lunar module couldn’t land.
He checked the timer, walked out of the lunar module, looked around, and saw that in his southwest direction, America’s lunar module would begin descending.
Gagarin’s suspended heart finally settled.
“Report to Moscow, Eagle has appeared in my field of view at the scheduled time, visual distance 1500 meters, current spacesuit indicators normal, able to support round trip.”
Gagarin saw the distant light spot, American lunar module engine firing, landing 12 minutes later, about 1 kilometer from him, kicking up moon dust.
After the dust settled, he saw the lunar module with the Stars and Stripes in his line of sight.
For a moment, relief and joy surged in his heart, America had also fulfilled their promise.
Gagarin thought: “Worthy of the professor, precise shooting at 320,000 kilometers, really as he said, they succeeded on the first try.”
Although in military terms, this technology means America’s missile launch precision will improve further, but at this moment Gagarin didn’t think that much.
Political tension on Earth is for people on Earth to worry about, for the White House and the Kremlin to handle, here is the Moon, here is the symbol of cooperation.
Gagarin smiled and activated the communicator: “‘Eagle’ has successfully arrived on the Moon, current environmental parameters: gravity 1.625 m/s, temperature above 100°C in sunlight, -100°C in shadow, no atmosphere, clear starry sky.”
“Comrade Gagarin, prepare to execute the mission!”
“Received!”
In the CBS news studio, the scene was immersed in an extremely tense atmosphere.
The tension here wasn’t due to the possibility of moon landing failure, but because the live broadcast was about to begin, and after America’s lunar module successfully arrived on the Moon, it would be transmitted via signal to televisions of the global public.
Every backstage staff member’s spirit was taut, afraid of dropping the ball due to their own mistake at such a time.
NASA and Soviet moon landing didn’t drop the ball, if their own live television broadcast did, not to mention CBS firing them, they themselves wouldn’t have the face to stay.
The studio lights were bright, background a huge Moon map marking the Sea of Tranquility landing point.
Cronkite sat behind the anchor desk, wearing a gray pinstripe suit, much more relaxed than his outfit during the live broadcast three days ago.
Excitement shone in his eyes, already eager to deliver the good news to the audience in front of their televisions.
On one side of the studio, English astronomer and science writer Fred Hoyle had a stack of technical charts at hand, ready to provide commentary for the audience at any time.
Cronkite adjusted his sitting posture, gaze straight at the lens, voice low and powerful:
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is CBS News, I’m Walter Cronkite.
Let me tell you an exciting piece of news: tonight, we witnessed an unprecedented moment in space exploration history.
America fuel tank ‘Eagle’ has successfully landed on the Moon, located in the Sea of Tranquility, according to NASA data, only 1500 meters from astronaut Yuri Gagarin’s lunar module.
Perfectly achieving the predetermined goal, this is the first joint US-Soviet moon landing mission, symbolizing a cooperation breakthrough for humanity amid the Cold War, just one step away from final success!
Next, we will bring you real-time footage from the lunar surface, and also hand the lens to our colleague interviewing at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville City, where we have invited the professor for our exclusive interview!”
The television screen switched to the Redstone Arsenal control center, from the television lens it could be seen that all the engineers in the entire control center were standing in the middle chatting in small groups.
Only a few people were still at the screens following the data.
“Professor Lin, congratulations on successfully completing the mission!” The reporter first congratulated, then asked: “I’d like to ask a question, has NASA’s mission been completely completed now?”
Lin Ran nodded: “Correct, our mission has been completely completed.
The lunar module has successfully landed smoothly near Gagarin’s landing point.
The rest depends on whether the Soviet person can return to Earth smoothly.
And the fuel transfer process, all depends on Gagarin’s own operation.
I believe he must have undergone countless simulation trainings beforehand, I have great confidence that Gagarin can successfully complete the mission.”
The reporter continued: “We have always known the whole process would be live broadcast, I believe the public in front of their televisions are already impatient.
Professor, can you introduce the subsequent live broadcast content?”
Lin Ran explained: “No problem, the entire fuel transfer system has embedded cameras, but its live content may be limited.
Different from what everyone thinks, full process live broadcast, its perspective is fixed.
Everyone may only see very limited content.
But I believe this will still be a very interesting experience.”
The reporter continued: “Good, no matter what footage, as long as it’s from the Moon, everyone will be very interested.
Professor, I’d also like to ask, what are the subsequent challenges?”
Lin Ran said: “Gagarin needs to leave his lunar module, walk about 1200 meters to ‘Eagle’.
Because Moon gravity is only one-sixth of Earth’s, terrain covered with moon dust and craters, he must move very carefully, and subsequently transporting the fuel tank back to the lunar module also requires care.
The entire process has fairly high requirements for Gagarin.
However, after fuel transfer completion, his return to Earth process requires entering near lunar orbit, then taking the Earth-Moon orbit back to Earth.
In short, there are still some challenges ahead, but I believe Gagarin can overcome them.”
The reporter said: “Good, thank you Professor for the interview, it shows the professor has full confidence in the final wrap-up of this moon landing!
Let’s hand the lens back to the studio!”
Cronkite: “Welcome back, as you can see, the professor is very confident.
The first joint US-Soviet moon landing mission symbolizes a cooperation breakthrough for humanity amid the Cold War.”
He paused for a moment, he was well aware that global audiences were holding their breath in anticipation, the Cold War background filling this cooperation with complex significance.
Cronkite continued: “We will live broadcast Gagarin’s actions via audio, he will walk to the American fuel tank, complete fuel transfer, preparing for return to Earth.”
Cronkite turned to Hoyle: “With me today is renowned English astronomer Professor Hoyle, I believe audience friends in front of their televisions have become very familiar with Professor Hoyle over the past three days of live broadcasts.
Professor Hoyle, could you explain the specific situation for the audience, and interpret what the professor just said in the interview.”
You have to add the name, but professor doesn’t need to, professor is the professor, Jenny thought when she saw this.
Hoyle leaned forward slightly, explaining in a passionate voice:
“Of course, Cronkite.
The fuel tank landing is a key step. Because this is the hardest part of the entire process.
After all, the Soviet Union and America’s launch positions are different, launch times different, but ultimately landing almost in the same place on the Moon.
This is extremely difficult, after all Earth is a full 320,000 kilometers from the Moon.
It’s like shooting the bullseye from 500 meters away.
The hardest step is now complete, the lunar module only 1200 meters from Gagarin, at this distance with Moon gravity, Gagarin can absolutely make the round trip even wearing a spacesuit.
I estimate the round trip time will be around 10 to 15 minutes, considering also dismantling the fuel system and transporting, this time may extend to 30 minutes.
But all subsequent processes depend on Gagarin’s operation, depend on the Soviet Space Agency helping him fly the lunar module back to Earth.
NASA’s mission is completed, that’s why the professor has time for our interview.”
Cronkite nodded: “That sounds like a challenge. Professor Hoyle, what is the specific process for fuel transfer?”
Hoyle pointed to the charts on the table: “According to the information provided by NASA, ‘Eagle’ is equipped with a fuel transfer system compatible with the Soviet lunar module.
Gagarin will connect a dedicated hose, pumping fuel from ‘Eagle’ to his lunar module. This requires precise operation, ensuring connection seal to prevent leaks.
The entire process is estimated by NASA internals to take 30 to 45 minutes.”
The studio screen switched to the Moon map, marking the positions of the two modules.
Cronkite listened to his headphones, raised his hand to signal: “We have the latest message from the Huntsville control center. Let’s listen.”
There was slight noise in the audio:
“Video system activated, signal being relayed, ground signal processing center decoding, prepare for live broadcast”
Cronkite smiled, tone excited: “Audience friends, we are about to witness together the first television live broadcast from the Moon in human history!”
A few minutes later, the audio sounded again, control room technician adjusting the volume.
Cronkite raised his hand: “We are receiving the signal from the Moon.
This is the sound from the Moon.”
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