Chapter 250: Before The Rocket Launch
“Then why did you agree to him selling the shares to me?” Pony continued to ask.
Lin Ran smiled, thinking because Buzz Aldrin is loyal enough, he is a loyal soldier under me in both spacetimes, so after you appeared, leave him some retirement money to avoid him having to participate in activities to earn money at ninety years old.
Of course, this naturally couldn’t be said on the surface, Lin Ran thought for a moment and explained: “Because we haven’t gone up yet.
So the shares belong to him, so it’s his freedom if he wants to sell them.”
Pony inwardly admired Lin Ran’s generosity. These shares alone have a book value of thirty million US Dollars now, and he just gives them up.
Tencent acknowledged it, so the value is at least that much.
Lin Ran is indeed different from all the young people he has met.
“Professor Lin, since Buzz agreed to you, then I agree too.
If the Apollo Moon Landing succeeds, I will unconditionally transfer all 30% of the shares in my hands to you.”
After hearing this, Lin Ran asked: “Don’t want to invest in Apollo Technology anymore?”
“No, if you can really complete the moon landing, then as you said, the goal is to lead humanity out of the universe, then you will definitely still need investment.
At that time, I will invest in you again. I might not be able to help you with anything else, but money is the one thing I really don’t lack.” When Pony said this, he exuded dominance.
Lin Ran thought about it, and indeed, relying on players across the country to grind Honor of Kings until it sparks to contribute seed funding for humanity to step into the universe—is this considered a space tax?
No wonder Tencent has a much better reputation in the investment field than Alibaba. Just this style alone is generous enough.
“Good.” Lin Ran extended his hand to Pony.
“Deal, I look forward to witnessing your success with my own eyes!” Pony said while shaking hands.
“It’s really spectacular. Damn, the official videos and photos are shot so poorly, far from capturing the grandeur of the scene.” Director Bi complained.
After arriving at Jiuquan and settling in briefly, Bilibili staff received them for an initial tour.
“Very normal, haven’t you seen the carrier comparison charts? At this level, they’ve already done their best.
This time we can shoot it well and better convey this feeling to the audience.
I think its greatest benefit is that it allows us to simultaneously realize the smallness and greatness of humanity, awakening humanity’s yearning for the universe.
If Earth is an embryo in the universe, humanity has not yet left this embryo to grow into an adult.
And every effort in human aerospace is an attempt to break out of this embryo and be born.” Tim was also very emotional.
Director Bi said: “I only have one feeling, that after coming here to see it with my own eyes, I realize the importance of aerospace to humanity.
In the past, my understanding of aerospace was mostly at the news level, whether news reports or expert interviews, mostly talking about how important what we do is.
The initial statement was that we are the country after America, France, and Big Mao that has mastered this technology, stepping into the ranks of advanced countries.
Then slowly, by the time I was in high school, only America and Big Mao were left among those countries, other countries disappeared too, and in recent years only America, and what we do only America has done.
Now we are even starting to do things America hasn’t done. I know it’s important, I know China Aerospace is progressing very fast, but this feeling is actually very abstract, lacking a real anchor to give me an intuitive concept.
After this visit, I think we need to shoot a video interesting enough to convey our feelings to the audience.”
After hearing this, Tim smiled and said: “Of course, we organized the most elite team to shoot this video, just to make it interesting enough.
Isn’t this just like the Olympics? At first, one gold medal is enough, later it has to rank first on the gold medal list, then ordinary gold medals don’t feel like much, and they start pursuing quality.
It has to be a gold medal with enough value to excite the whole nation.
Niche events can hardly make waves anymore. Who remembers Xu Haifeng’s gold medal back then, how the whole nation felt proud?
If it were today, shooting gold medals wouldn’t even make the top ten on Weibo hot search.”
Both were racking their brains to shoot an interesting enough video. Compared to the wildly growing self-media, official media lives too comfortably, without performance pressure, naturally without this motivation.
The documentary team invited by Bilibili official is also of this type.
Anyway, everyone is just taking money to do the job.
Shooting aerospace documentaries, there are ready templates abroad, just follow and shoot.
As for whether it’s good to watch or exciting, it’s not related to my shooting team.
“Every time official media shoots this content, it’s completely just going through the motions to complete the task.
First give you images in space, then the lens slowly zooms in on the launch tower. Add a narration introduction, talking about the greatness and importance of this event.
In the middle of the launch, another engineer interview at the command platform, talking about the difficulties in the process and the pioneering work.
Finally, a 3D animation of the rocket orbit insertion.
This combo makes you powerless to complain, even on Douyin you swipe past quickly, at most give a like if supporting, no desire to learn more.
At most leave a comment: China Aerospace is awesome, done. This kind of video really can’t arouse the audience’s interest.” Director Bi complained.
Tim said: “Good rant, do it again later, I’ll have the camera shoot this segment and edit it in.”
Director Bi waved his hands repeatedly: “Forget it, don’t get me in trouble, I still want to make a living domestically. If this airs, my videos will get all sorts of reviews.”
Director Bi continued to complain, “Even you shooting this, I know the formula: first set up a launch tower scene, best to replicate it one-to-one,
Then you wear a spacesuit and appear in front of the lens, give an opening speech like ‘I am honored to witness the rise of another private aerospace agency.’
I’ll wear a spacesuit too to join in the fun, in the built shed to give everyone more immersion.
The whole high-end shed, put more props inside.
Subtly imply that the America moon landing was shot in a studio, pull in favorability from conspiracy theory fans.
Finally show off skills, whether editing technology or model making technology, the whole video is your standard style.”
Tim burst out: “Damn, how do you know me so well?
How many of our videos have you watched? That bit about setting up a studio and linking to the America moon landing conspiracy theory, I didn’t even think of it.
Thanks, stole the idea.”
“Forget it, after I guessed it, you won’t use it, but you’ll never guess how I’ll shoot it.” Director Bi complained.
Before the rocket launch, a staff member surnamed Qian came to introduce to them.
That’s right, Apollo Technology is so short-staffed that they have astronauts doing commentator work.
Qian Fei is not coming to Jiuquan for the first time.
To be precise, it should be the Nth time: he came during the selection process back then, and later came for tourism himself, including recently arriving early here—Gansu Jiuquan also has a small amount of astronaut training facilities.
“Hello, you two. I’m Qian Fei, an employee of Apollo Technology. I’m already forty-six years old, so I look a few years older than you two.
You two can just call me Brother Qian.”
After Tim and Director Bi introduced themselves respectively, Tim asked first: “Brother Qian, is it convenient to ask what you do at Apollo Technology?
What are your specific duties?
Of course, if it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to say at all.”
Qian Fei waved his hand generously: “Of course. At Apollo Technology, I’m a backup astronaut.
The reason it’s backup is because there are a total of 14 astronauts in our batch competing.
Possibly only one or two can become the final formal astronauts.”
After hearing backup astronaut, Tim and Director Bi looked at each other, both seeing the excited gleam in each other’s eyes.
“Brother Qian.” Tim’s call of Brother Qian was even more sincere, “So Apollo Technology is really going to do a moon landing?”
Qian Fei nodded matter-of-factly: “Of course, otherwise why call it Apollo Technology? This is a tribute to the Apollo Moon Landing fifty-two years ago, also a relay. We take the kindling from the Apollo Moon Landing of the last century, and in this century lead humanity to continue stepping into the universe.”
After Qian Fei finished speaking, he realized that besides the two, the staff Tim brought had cameras on him, and Director Bi was holding a shooting device himself. He was a bit embarrassed, scratched his head, and added: “This is what Professor Lin said to us internally at the company.”
Qian Fei continued: “I know you’ll think we’re crazy, think such a goal is unbelievable, but the moon landing we’re serious about.
Otherwise I wouldn’t quit my captain job at a state-owned airline to come to Apollo Technology.”
Qian Fei added a few more sentences to cover, he knew these might be broadcast, if not saying the follow-up and just airing like this, to those with intentions it would look like he doesn’t trust General Manager Lin.
Tim couldn’t hold back and asked: “Brother Qian, you just mentioned you were a captain at a state-owned airline?”
Qian Fei nodded: “Former captain, now backup astronaut at Apollo Technology. Before becoming captain, I was an Air Force pilot for fifteen years, highest rank colonel, participated in China ‘s second batch of astronaut selection, and successfully entered the second round.”
He said this with a hint of loss: “But that’s all.
Originally thought no chance to go to space in this lifetime, now Apollo Technology gave me a new opportunity.”
After hearing Qian Fei’s resume, Tim and Director Bi immediately felt deep respect. A fifteen-year veteran is no joke, and entering the second round of astronaut selection is excellent even for an ordinary person.
“Salute to you, thank you for your contributions to the homeland’s blue skies.” Director Bi’s tone was formal, expression serious.
Tim continued: “So you have great confidence in Apollo Technology’s ability to do a moon landing?
After all, you mentioned you’re 45 now. If the moon landing takes ten years, ten years later you’d be 55, executing a high-difficulty task like moon landing might be difficult, right?”
Anyone would think Apollo Moon Landing would take at least ten years.
After all, back then America decided on moon landing, from Kennedy’s moon landing speech to Armstrong’s one small step for man one giant leap for mankind, spanning nearly ten years.
Qian Fei said: “Yes, but that doesn’t mean only moon landing needs astronaut participation.
Before Apollo Moon Landing, there was manned spaceflight, spacecraft aerial rendezvous and docking, and also circumlunar flight possible.
The whole process will be very long, and in the middle there will be many stages needing astronaut involvement.
After all, although computer technology is increasingly advanced now, and much can be done by automation systems, the role of astronauts cannot be replaced in the short term.”
Director Bi nodded: “What you said makes a lot of sense.”
Qian Fei continued: “Like our Burning No. 1 to be launched this time, its payload reaches 8 tons, enough to send a spaceship into low Earth orbit.
This payload is something other private aerospace agencies can’t do and won’t do.
Because for general aerospace companies, their goal first is profit, only with profit can they talk about subsequent development.
And building such a big rocket has very low cost-performance, general aerospace companies won’t make this choice.”
Tim asked: “Brother Qian, can you explain in detail?”
Qian Fei said: “Of course, I came to receive you two today precisely to answer questions.
Also hope through your channels— that’s how to put it? Through your channels to explain to young friends what we do, how we do it, and why we do it this way.
Because currently globally, aerospace is still mainly government-led, with private aerospace agencies as supplements, even in America.
Then government aerospace agencies already have various rockets with different functions.
So what private aerospace agencies do is supplement.
Taking China Aerospace as example, private aerospace agencies fill the gaps that China Aerospace doesn’t have.
Many civilian launch needs, like launching a research satellite or a remote sensing satellite, these satellites generally are light weight, high frequency but not concentrated launches.
That is, the so-called public statements where the country says to support commercial aerospace agencies, that commercial aerospace mechanisms are flexible, cost-sensitive, fast innovation speed, short launch cycles, can more quickly respond to market demands, flexibly adjust R&D directions and project layouts.
These are highly generalized statements, plainly put, China Aerospace’s tasks don’t include this part, so private aerospace agencies do it.
Because mainly low-altitude launches, needing high frequency, light payload, low cost characteristics, so everyone rushes to do low-payload low-orbit rockets.
Doing this has low difficulty, easy to start, low initial investment, after you run the model, what you need is find orders, then slowly profit and get on track, then explore reusable rockets like SpaceX to further reduce costs.
While we start with an 8-ton payload big rocket.
Of course, strictly speaking at best a medium rocket, but compared to other private aerospace agencies’ successful or in-development ones, it’s absolutely a Big Rocket.”
Qian Fei is very eloquent, back at the airline he could talk for two hours straight in meetings with colleagues without repeating.
After listening, Tim asked: “So why don’t you take the same path as other agencies? But instead blaze a new trail?”
Qian Fei said wistfully: “Because the Moon is right there, humanity has been there, but it’s been a long time since, we want to go see it.”
Director Bi took over: “With China Aerospace working hard, why do you as a private agency do this?”
Qian Fei said: “The professor talked about this question internally in our meetings.
China Aerospace is China Aerospace, we are us, just like in the 15th century Age of Discovery, Spain and Portugal sent explorers like Magellan and Columbus to discover and explore the world, expanding new boundaries.
But at the same time there were institutions like the London Merchant Adventurer Company spontaneously exploring new geographical areas.
We hope that when the interstellar era arrives, we can explore space with our own power.”
For Qian Fei, training under Buzz Aldrin, the more so, the more he yearns for space.
Because Buzz Aldrin always likes to talk about his moon landing past, often pulling out his rare treasured photos not available on the marketplace to show off, frequently reminiscing and sighing how fascinating space is, how interesting the Moon is.
They’ve been together less than half a year, what Buzz Aldrin says still feels fresh, very able to stimulate these backup astronauts’ curiosity and desire to explore.
Even studying orbital mechanics calculation with more effort.
Director Bi asked: “Professor is?”
Qian Fei said: “Oh, professor is General Manager Lin, we often call him professor, but calling General Manager Lin is fine too.”
After listening, Tim clapped: “Makes sense, indeed the Moon is there, someone always has to do it.
Just like there’s NASA, but America also birthed SpaceX, SpaceX’s launch tasks even surpassing NASA.”
While talking, Qian Fei led them to the warehouse holding Burning No. 1.
But of course they couldn’t go down to the ground floor, only view from the observation corridor.
In the viewing area of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the two’s gazes were quickly deeply attracted by the rocket in front of them.
Because it’s huge, the most intuitive feeling is big.
The rocket’s first stage is the main body of the entire vehicle, diameter about 3.35 meters, made of aluminum alloy, surface smooth as a mirror, reflecting dazzling light in the sunlight.
The bottom has 7 YF-102 liquid oxygen kerosene engines installed side by side, engine nozzles poised to fire.
“You two, look, here the engines are arranged in a hexagonal symmetry, one in the center, six around, this layout is not only aesthetic but also maximizes thrust balance.
The vehicle’s second stage is above the first stage, slightly smaller diameter, top is a streamlined fairing made of lightweight composite materials, surface smooth to reduce air resistance during high-speed flight.”
The vehicle is densely covered with various sensors and cables, they are the rocket’s nerves and blood vessels, connecting various systems, ensuring stability and safety in flight.”
Then Qian Fei pointed to the booster connection points reserved on the vehicle, saying: “Although Burning No. 1 doesn’t use boosters, the design leaves possibility for future upgrades.”
But what Tim and Director Bi were most focused on was still the advertisements on the rocket.
