Chapter 239: How Do You Compare To The Professor?
Lyndon Johnson pondered for a moment before saying: “After the moon landing success, I want to personally award the astronauts, emphasize the government’s decision making and support in the speech, and let everyone know this is my merit.”
Humphrey smiled bitterly and said: “I’m afraid that’s not enough, after all, the mark that the professor left on NASA is too profound.
Moreover, you still need to make the astronauts only mention your merit during interviews, and not mention the professor’s merit.
I’m afraid when they are interviewed, it will be the opposite, only mentioning the professor and not the president.”
This is the same principle as in ancient times when soldiers only knew there was a general and didn’t know there was an emperor.
Lyndon Johnson’s face became even uglier, because he knew very well that what Humphrey said was reality.
The moon landing was one of the most important missions during the Cold War, and as president, Lyndon Johnson had inspected the astronaut team more than once.
He had gone himself, and also gone with Lin Ran accompanying him.
Lyndon Johnson could clearly feel that the astronauts respected him, respecting his identity as president, while they also respected Lin Ran, but that was respect for Lin Ran the person.
This distinction, plus Lin Ran being their direct leader, and Lin Ran’s personal micro-management command during Gagarin’s moon landing being repeatedly studied by the astronauts internally at NASA.
The astronauts would acknowledge his merit, no way.
Furthermore, the astronauts really didn’t know what merit he had.
If it were another president, wouldn’t they allocate funds to NASA?
“Is there any way we can ‘guide’ what the astronauts say or don’t say during interviews.” After a long pause, Lyndon Johnson said wistfully.
Humphrey thought the other had gone mad, he said in a low voice: “Mr. President, we are America not the Soviet Union, doing this will eventually be exposed someday.
We have no secrecy mechanism for this kind of event, and we can’t control all media.
Moreover, you have to consider that you can’t control the astronauts’ ideas, if they are potential Elephant Party supporters, exposing this during the presidential election would be extremely damaging.”
Lyndon Johnson sighed, he suddenly felt a bit envious of Nikita.
Humphrey continued: “I think we should still arrange media reports, highlight your foresight and full support for NASA, and shape the moon landing into a symbol of national will.
That’s all we can do.”
Humphrey thought to himself, if President Kennedy were here, he might be able to snatch a bit of the moon landing merit from the professor, but you, better forget it.
A glint flashed in Lyndon Johnson’s eyes: “During the moon landing live broadcast, I will personally appear in the mission control center, letting the whole nation’s people see me leading all this.”
Humphrey asked: “Mr. President, are you going to personally command the astronauts’ operations then?”
Lyndon Johnson was tempted, but he didn’t have the ability, if he commanded and it ended in failure, the overwhelming public opinion wouldn’t be something he could withstand: “No need for that, just need to show that I’m at the moon landing command site.
When the astronauts finally return to Earth, have me at the recovery site, me personally hugging the astronauts, showing my warmth as president will be enough.
The professor never appears at the site when astronauts return to Earth, so in the news photos there will only be the president and no professor.
Make the media use this kind of photos, photos with only the president and no professor, prominently as newspaper front pages and magazine covers.”
Humphrey thought you really have a way, he nodded and added: “Additionally, we can launch a series of promotion activities, emphasizing that the moon landing is the result of collective effort, not a hero’s deed of a certain person.”
Humphrey reminded: “Mr. President, actually after the moon landing success, if the professor says a few words praising you during an interview, the effect might be better.”
Lyndon Johnson nodded: “Don’t worry about that, I’ll find an opportunity to chat with the professor.”
Lin Ran never expected that before this moon landing even started, Lyndon Johnson was already trying every means to snatch merit.
After Humphrey left, Lyndon Johnson stood in front of the office window, gazing at the night sky, thinking to himself: “History will remember me, Lyndon Johnson, the true pusher of the moon landing.”
On the morning of December 15, 1966, the launch pad at Cape Canaveral was bathed in golden sunlight.
The Saturn V rocket towered on launch pad 39A, its white casing gleaming in the sunlight.
Around the launch tower, technical personnel busily conducted final checks, the air filled with the smell of fuel and metal.
The room where the astronauts stayed formed a stark contrast with the rocket.
They were in the preparation room, dim lights, the only vibrant thing being the dashboard on the spacesuit’s life support system displaying oxygen pressure and temperature.
Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins were putting on their bulky spacesuits.
The room was filled with the smell of disinfectant and rubber, the walls hung with mission process charts and the Stars and Stripes.
Technical personnel were helping them adjust the spacesuit connections, ensuring every detail was foolproof.
Aldrin stood in front of the mirror, gazing at his reflection in the white spacesuit. His eyes were calm and determined, but inside he was surging with tension toward the unknown.
He took a deep breath, recalling scenes from countless simulation trainings: emergency escape procedures, responses to navigation system failures…
He silently recited in his heart: “I’m ready.”
He turned to look at Armstrong and Collins, smiling: “Guys, today is the day we realize our dreams.”
Aldrin was extremely excited inside, because in the mission deployment he was the first astronaut to step onto the moon.
He would step out of the lunar module first, then Armstrong.
Aldrin thought it was because he had a PhD, the professor still favored knowledgeable people, his extra training in calculus outside of training finally paid off!
This was what Aldrin thought.
He could never imagine that this qualification was obtained by Aldrin 60 years later by exploding 30 million US dollars worth of gold coins.
If he knew, he would also think that exploding those 30 million US dollars was worth it.
Not exploding for the professor, but for his ex-wife who sued him? For his children who accused him of senile dementia?
If he knew, Aldrin wouldn’t even get married, and wouldn’t end up only exploding 30 million for the professor, if he didn’t marry, exploding 100 million US dollars would be entirely possible.
Compared to Aldrin, Armstrong appeared much calmer on the surface.
He forcefully patted Aldrin’s shoulder: “Doctor, we’re really going to the moon! I’ve waited for this moment too long.”
His slightly trembling voice showed that Armstrong wasn’t as calm as he appeared.
Armstrong’s heart held both anticipation for the upcoming feat and fear of unknown risks, his mind picturing the lunar module landing scene, while also worrying if the rocket would lift off smoothly.
Collins was truly calm, because he didn’t need to land on the moon, he would stay in the command module orbiting the moon, waiting for the two to return.
Collins said in a low voice: “I’ll wait for you here, come back safely.”
But inside he was thinking: “If they can’t return, what should I do? At that time, the professor won’t make me execute a rescue plan, will he?”
At that moment, the door opened, and Lyndon Johnson walked in surrounded by his entourage.
He was wearing a dark blue suit, with a smile on his face, but his eyes revealed an unquestionable determination.
Lyndon Johnson walked to the astronauts, shook Aldrin’s hand: “Buzz, you are America’s pride, today’s mission is not only scientific exploration, but also a symbol of national honor, the whole world is watching you.”
Aldrin responded firmly: “Mr. President, we will do our utmost to complete the mission.”
Johnson turned to Armstrong, patted his shoulder: “Neil, your courage will inspire a generation.”
Armstrong saluted: “Thank you, Mr. President, we won’t disappoint you.”
Finally, Johnson looked at Collins: “Michael, your role is crucial, you are their backup.”
Collins nodded: “I understand, Mr. President, I’ll hold the position.”
Moments later, Lin Ran entered the preparation room, shaking hands with the astronauts one by one, his tone full of confidence: “Buzz, Neil, Michael, you are the best team, I have full confidence in you and our technology.”
Finally Lin Ran said his signature line: “In short, no matter what happens, don’t worry, don’t forget, my life has only success no failure, we have made full preparations!”
Aldrin extended both hands, asking: “Professor, can you give me a hug before we go up?”
Lin Ran nodded, gave him a hug, and while hugging thought to himself, when 90-year-old Aldrin goes to the moon, he won’t need me to give him a hug too, will he?
During the hug, Aldrin said in Lin Ran’s ear: “Professor, I won’t disappoint you.”
Seeing Aldrin state this, Armstrong and Collins stood beside Aldrin extending their hands, hinting they hoped to hug Lin Ran before executing the mission.
“Professor, we are ready to meet the challenge.” Armstrong said.
Collins smiled and said: “Professor, thank you for your trust.”
Humphrey, who hadn’t left and was still in the preparation room, saw this scene, shook his head, Mr. President, how can you compare with the professor?
Finally Lin Ran said to Aldrin: “Buzz, the lunar module landing depends on you. Your precision is the key to our success.”
Aldrin grinned: “I’ve rehearsed it thousands of times, professor, rest assured, I can do it.”
Lin Ran then looked at Collins: “Michael, your orbital mission is the cornerstone of the entire plan, stay calm, we need you.”
Collins said softly: “I’ll hold the line, professor.”
On December 15, 1966, the moment Apollo 11 launched, major television stations around the world began live broadcasts.
In America, CBS, NBC, and ABC hosts described the spectacular scene of the rocket liftoff to the audience in passionate tones.
The voice of famous commentator Walter Cronkite resounded in thousands of households: “The Saturn V rocket soars into the sky, trailing dazzling flames toward the heavens. This is an important step for humanity toward the universe, America demonstrating an indisputable leading position in the space race.”
The television screen froze on the rocket’s jet flames and gradually shrinking figure, the lens then switching to cheering crowds, the audience all shocked.
In Europe, Asia, and Latin America, live signals crossed borders, billions of families gathered in front of television sets, watching this historic moment without blinking.
England’s BBC commentator sighed: “This will not only be America’s victory, but also the pride of all humanity.”
Japan’s NHK commentator excitedly said: “Children are seeing the future through television.”
The global audience’s enthusiasm was completely ignited, discussions in front of television sets rising and falling, children imitating rocket launch movements, dreaming of one day becoming astronauts themselves.
What is the free world’s promotion ability, this is the free world’s promotion ability.
Clearly the Soviet people had already gone up once, when America goes up again, it can still be promoted as if it’s humanity’s first time going up.
At the same time, in the mission control center at Cape Canaveral, Lin Ran and the engineer team were fully focused on staring at the data screens, ensuring the spaceship smoothly entered the predetermined orbit.
The atmosphere in the control room was tense yet orderly, engineers exchanging information on navigation and engine status in low voices.
Lin Ran gripped the pen in his hand tightly, saying softly to Lyndon Johnson sitting beside him: “The first step is complete, but we can’t relax yet.”
When the spaceship successfully entered Earth orbit, the third-stage engine ignited, executing trans-lunar injection.
Armstrong calmly reported via radio: “Control center, TLI complete, we are heading to the moon.”
Applause erupted in the control room, Lin Ran’s tense shoulders slightly relaxing.
Lyndon Johnson patted Lin Ran’s shoulder: “Professor, this day will be remembered in history.”
Lin Ran nodded in response: “Mr. President, this is just the starting point of our journey.”
Over the three days after launch, television stations’ reports on Apollo 11’s voyage never stopped.
Experts were invited to studios, analyzing the spaceship’s trajectory and expected moon landing time, popularizing the scientific principles of space travel to the audience.
In CBS’s special program, scientists used a model to demonstrate how the spaceship crosses the 380,000 kilometers between Earth and moon, the audience listening with keen interest.
Television stations also interviewed the astronauts’ families, capturing their emotional moments.
Armstrong’s wife Janet held back tears in front of the camera: “I’m proud of Neil, but praying for him every second.”
Aldrin’s son Andrew excitedly asked the reporter: “Will dad bring back moon rocks?”
Global reports were equally enthusiastic.
However, Soviet television programs reported very little, the Soviet side unusually quiet recently.
While India’s radio programs and television stations claimed “Humanity’s space dreams belong to every country, America can do it, India will surely be able to one day too.”
Inside the spaceship, the astronauts adapted to the weightless environment, executing daily tasks.
Armstrong was responsible for checking the navigation system, ensuring the spaceship maintained the correct heading.
Aldrin debugged the communication equipment, maintaining contact with Earth.
Collins maintained the command module’s operations.
They occasionally talked via radio, sharing journey observations.
Aldrin laughed during one call: “Professor, Earth looks really beautiful from here, you’re still young, exercise well, you can go to the moon too.”
Lin Ran just smiled and said nothing upon hearing this, thinking to himself, if I want to go up, I can go anytime, it’s just you kid, I can make sure you don’t go up.
On the ground, Lin Ran and the team relentlessly analyzed data, ensuring the spaceship’s trajectory was perfectly on course.
They worked almost without sleep or rest, coffee cups piling up like mountains in the control room.
Engineers took shifts monitoring every system of the spaceship, from propulsion system to life support devices, nothing overlooked.
On December 18, 1966, after three days of interstellar voyage, Apollo 11 finally arrived at lunar orbit.
The spaceship slowly glided into the moon’s gravitational embrace, the astronauts gazing through the porthole at the gray-white interwoven, crater-filled desolate landscape below.
The moon’s magnificence and desolation intertwined before their eyes, bringing a transcendent shock beyond the mortal world.
At this time, in the Cape Canaveral mission control center, the atmosphere was tense to the point of almost solidifying.
Lin Ran stood at the central console, staring intently at the screen displaying the spaceship’s trajectory.
Engineers sat at their respective positions, real-time calls from astronauts coming through headphones, hands busily recording data.
The clock on the wall ticked, reminding everyone of time’s preciousness.
Lin Ran turned to Von Braun: “Hans, confirm the spaceship’s orbital parameters, ensure we enter the correct lunar orbit.”
Von Braun nodded, quickly inputting commands on the keyboard, the jumping data on the screen gradually stabilizing.
“Professor, orbital eccentricity is within acceptable range, we have successfully entered lunar orbit.”
Lin Ran breathed a sigh of relief, but his taut nerves did not relax.
He knew the real challenge of lunar module separation and landing was about to come.
Although it succeeded in history, this was a moon landing fully three years ahead of schedule after all.
He shouted to the team: “Everyone, prepare for lunar module separation procedure, check all systems, ensure foolproof.”
The engineers responded in unison, the atmosphere in the control room even more tense.
At the same time, President Lyndon Johnson sat in a corner of the control room, hands clasped tightly, gaze locked on the main screen.
His heart was both expectant and anxious.
Lyndon Johnson said softly to Humphrey: “This is our country’s moment of glory, we cannot fail.”
Humphrey nodded, answering softly: “Mr. President, the professor will absolutely not fail!”
Inside the spaceship, Aldrin, Armstrong, and Collins were making final preparations for lunar module separation.
Armstrong stood at the command module’s porthole, gazing at the lunar surface, a complex emotion surging in his heart.
He recalled the farewell with his wife and children before departure, Janet’s eyes tearing up, the children excitedly waving.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus on the mission: “I can’t disappoint them.”
Aldrin was checking the systems of the lunar module “Eagle,” his heart both excited and tense.
He knew he was about to become the first person in American history to step on the moon, this honor coexisting with pressure.
He muttered to himself: “This is the dream of my life, I must succeed.”
He turned to Armstrong: “Neil, everything is ready, I think we’re good to go.”
