Chapter 261: Nasa-style Fist Stars And Stripes Flame
Jim frowned, feeling that the voice sounded somewhat familiar.
He searched for a while on the Zoom meeting room interface.
He discovered a familiar name: Lamin Sky.
The name was also very familiar.
Jim then realized that this was a reporter from WIRED magazine, who specialized in NASA news.
Although reporters covering NASA news were not as famous as the White House press corps, not as renowned as those who stationed themselves at the White House for White House press conferences, with titles and the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, not as well-known as that group.
But NASA also had reporters who specialized in news.
These reporters all focused on news in the field of space.
Lamin was one of them, and he had even done an interview with him four years ago.
“No, how did you get in?” Jim couldn’t help but ask.
Lamin knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and fortunately, he had already captured the complete screenshot, knowing this was big news.
Unprecedented Big News.
“Assistant Olivia sent me a string of numbers, which looked a lot like the Zoom meeting room number and password, so I tried it and got in.”
Nelson rubbed his forehead, then said sternly: “Then why didn’t you speak earlier! You’re eavesdropping on state secrets, do you know that!”
Lamin thought to himself, it’s state secrets, yet you NASA leadership are all on vacation, isn’t that a state secret too.
That’s right, the Chinese person’s command module launched is exactly the same as the Apollo Program, that’s news.
The Chinese person claims to have developed an engine identical to the F-1 rocket engine parameters, that’s also news.
But these news stories are being reported by every reporter, regardless of whether they previously specialized in space news or not, all are reporting extensively.
Even as a reporter specializing in space-related news, Lamin didn’t think his news analysis with a certain level of professionalism could stand out among the crowd of news.
But this scoop he captured this time was different.
During the virus outbreak, the White House repeatedly ordered everyone to stay home obediently, and unless necessary, not to go outside to avoid virus dissemination.
Yet NASA’s senior officials were all on vacation one by one.
Four people: Director Nelson, Deputy Director Pamela Melroy, Manned Space Program project manager Casey Ludwig, Senior Advisor Jim Bridenstine—Lamin could confirm the latter three were definitely in a hotel.
Among them, the print hanging behind Jim Bridenstine was recognized by him at a glance.
The other was staying at Aman, the global top luxury hotel brand.
Lamin could even specify which room Jim Bridenstine was in: Aman New York.
In the Grand Suite 57th Street room at New York Aman, the hanging piece was “Pine Trees” (replica) by Japanese painter Hasegawa Tohaku.
“Pine Trees” is considered the peak work of Japanese ink painting and was designated as their national treasure in 1952.
Why did Lamin know? Because he had stayed there too.
Chinese people are making rapid progress in the aerospace field, private enterprises have developed manned spaceflight, what about our NASA senior officials?
Taking advantage of remote work, they one after another went to hotels for vacation.
The White House repeatedly called for everyone to stay home, yet NASA senior officials took the lead in violating the orders.
Lamin was very clear about how Americans, driven crazy by being locked down, would react once this news was reported.
“Sorry, Director Nelson, I’ll exit the meeting room right now.” Lamin had some goodwill toward Nelson, because he couldn’t tell if the other was in a hotel or at home.
Back on Ben Yue Hao.
The mission required docking with the separately launched target spacecraft to simulate the Gemini Program’s Agena docking.
Qian Fei ordered: “Prepare for target spacecraft docking.”
Zhao Jianguo operated the panel, confirming the target spacecraft position: “Distance 500 meters, approaching.”
Qian Fei took over the controls, adjusted the command module attitude, the screen showed the docking probe aligned with the target. His finger lightly tapped the operation button, and the spaceship slowly approached.
“Distance 50 meters… 20 meters… 10 meters…” Zhao Jianguo read out the data.
Suddenly, the screen flashed a warning: docking probe slightly misaligned.
Zhao Jianguo remained calm: “Commander, there’s a deviation!”
Between the two, Qian Fei served as the commander, and Zhao Jianguo as the operator.
Qian Fei didn’t even lift an eyelid: “Manual adjustment, just hold steady.”
Zhao Jianguo held his breath, fine-tuned the propulsion system, and the probe realigned.
With a light click, docking successful.
A prompt tone sounded inside the spaceship, Zhao Jianguo exhaled: “Docking complete!”
“Well done!” Qian Fei made a light clapping gesture.
The control center cheered, Pony was extremely excited, he was the first to applaud.
After all, every advance by Apollo Technology was exploring how far the boundaries of private aerospace agencies could reach.
The sound of successful docking, also transmitted through signals, reached the live broadcast rooms of various platforms.
No previous China Aerospace mission had caused such a huge sensation as this one.
There were many reasons: it was a private institution, Lin Ran brought his own traffic, Tencent and Bilibili’s promotion, and now with the virus outbreak, everyone staying home, etc.
This also led to the live viewer count on just the Bilibili platform breaking 500,000.
When the sound of successful docking rang in the live broadcast room, bullet screens and gifts flew together.
In NASA’s online meeting room, some frowned, some nodded.
They hadn’t yet realized what it meant that the previous reporter had entered the Zoom meeting room.
Casey Ludwig picked up a pen and quickly took notes on her notebook.
Pamela Melroy crossed her arms, looking as if she was lost in thought.
Jim Bridenstine held a wine glass, gently swirling it, his gaze never leaving the screen.
In the Wenchang Launch Center, Lin Ran was extremely calm, commanding via communicator: “Ben Yue Hao, perfect docking, prepare for EVA.”
This was all small stuff.
After all, for Lin Ran, he had commanded countless astronauts in the past, performing various dangerous operations.
Gagarin completing docking and refueling on the Moon, he had commanded that too, this might not even count as small stuff.
EVA, that is, spacewalk.
To simulate the Gemini Program’s spacewalk, the two prepared for EVA, during which they needed to inspect the docking point and install experimental equipment.
Qian Fei put on the spacesuit, entered the EVA hatch on the side of the command module, and connected the oxygen tube and safety rope.
If not cooperating with China Aerospace, self-developing a spacesuit would take at least a year.
Or without state-owned enterprise support, procurement would require the full process, which would be extremely troublesome.
The aerospace field is somewhat similar to military industry, requiring cooperation with state-owned enterprises.
Even SpaceX relies on NASA, and Apollo Technology, established just one year ago, has every reason to have close cooperation with China Aerospace.
“Ground, this is Qian Fei, preparing to exit the cabin.” He reported.
After the voice was transmitted back.
“Received, be careful.” The control center responded.
The hatch opened, Qian Fei floated into space, Earth’s blue arc entering his view.
He marveled: “Indeed, just as Buzz Aldrin said, gazing at Earth from space is truly too beautiful, like a gem embedded in the darkness.”
Zhao Jianguo stayed inside the cabin, monitoring Qian Fei’s status: “Heart rate normal, oxygen sufficient.”
Qian Fei carefully moved to the docking point, inspected the probe latch, and installed a miniature camera.
His movements were quite skilled, honed through thousands of repetitions, but the weightless environment required caution in every step.
After completing the task, he returned to the cabin, and the hatch closed.
“EVA successful!” Zhang Hua reported, sweat beading on his forehead.
The control center erupted in thunderous applause.
Lin Ran said: “Nicely done.”
Pony insisted on saying something: “Ben Yue Hao, you are our pride!”
He had already resolved in his heart that after the two astronauts returned to Earth, Tencent’s charitable foundation would give them a big gift.
In the NASA meeting room, everyone was shocked.
“Their EVA process was very smooth, and the equipment very advanced.” Casey Ludwig said, “This isn’t something just thrown together.”
“Yeah, they’re showing off their muscles.” Bill Nelson smiled wryly, “YouTube live broadcast, global audience watching, their appearance is the same as the Apollo Program’s command module, but inside there’s no similarity at all.
It’s hard for us to condemn them, plus like SpaceX, Apollo Technology is much better at promotion than China Aerospace.
This promotion is much more clever than if China Aerospace did it themselves.”
Over the next 10 days, Apollo Technology’s two astronauts carried out physiological experiments from the Mercury Program and scientific tasks from the Gemini Program.
Inside the command module, they took turns resting, sleeping in sleeping bags fixed to the cabin wall to prevent floating.
Qian Fei tried squeezing nutrient paste from the food bag, joking: “This flavor is a bit better than during training.”
Zhao Jianguo operated the experimental equipment, monitoring plant growth under microgravity, recording data.
During this time, the service module propulsion system conducted multiple ignition tests, simulating orbital maneuvers.
They discovered an abnormal sensor reading and immediately troubleshooted: “Possibly wiring interference.”
He collaborated with the ground, switched to the backup sensor, problem solved.
While Qian Fei and Zhao Jianguo were carrying out tasks in space, discussions on Earth were extremely heated.
Pony forwarded a WeChat public account article on his Moments.
The article’s title was: “From Twin Primes to Apollo, Lin Ran’s Decade.”
The article started from Lin Ran’s junior high school days, interviewing many of his classmates, teachers, and friends from his growth process.
This report came from the “Characters” WeChat public account.
Pony captioned: “Lin Ran is indeed the most diligent and outstanding young person I have collaborated with.”
Various big shots below liked it one after another.
“Pony has such sharp eyes”
“Tencent beat us to it again”
“Pony has always loved astronomy, deeply cultivating the private aerospace field for many years, finally spotting General Manager Lin, this unprecedented dark horse, it’s both the wise man finding the steed and high mountains and flowing water meeting a soulmate”
Of course, there were also discordant voices.
The discordant voices mainly came from Douyin’s Boss Zhang.
He commented: “Picked up another bargain for Pony, your luck is really good.”
PS: He has a history of this; in 2018, the two had already clashed on Moments.
(Moments clash as above)
No way around it, Tencent’s social media platforms, riding this wave of Apollo Technology manned spaceflight test, reaped a huge traffic boost.
WeChat Channels made a small show of strength.
WeChat Channels launched an attack on Douyin from the short video end, while Bilibili firmly held the long video window.
Caught between long and short videos, it made Boss Zhang very uncomfortable.
Pony retorted: “Seems my luck is always a bit better than yours.”
“Apollo Technology’s financing hasn’t started yet, Tencent may not always hold the dominant position.” Boss Zhang replied again.
Their verbal sparring on Moments was also leaked to the media by mutual friends who loved drama, and the screenshots were extensively reported by media and self-media.
Making the heat of the entire event like oil on fire, continuously rising.
In America, this matter also exploded in popularity.
However, they weren’t concerned with China’s space test, but with NASA senior officials violating the work-from-home orders.
Back home, Lamin opened his notebook and pulled up the screenshot.
Jim’s hotel background, Pamela’s ocean-view window, Casey’s city skyline—all pointed unmistakably to luxury hotels.
He typed on the keyboard, settling on the title: “While China Chases the Moon, NASA Execs Enjoy Hotels” (WIRED).
The article detailed his accidental entry into the Zoom meeting, pointed out that NASA leadership violated work-from-home guidelines, quoted Nelson’s stern reaction, and attached blurred screenshots to protect privacy.
Lamin contacted the WIRED editor, emphasizing the explosiveness of this report: “This isn’t ordinary news, the public will go nuts.”
The editor reviewed it overnight, and the article went online the next morning.
After publication, it quickly sparked heated discussion on Twitter.
#NASAScandal became a trending topic.
Netizens were angry yet mocking; mainly, they hadn’t experienced the fist flame fist event yet, so it was hard to imagine NASA’s management being so lax, and these senior officials so incompetent.
Originally everyone was just joking about China’s progress being too fast, now it was a mix of anger and confusion.
One tweet post read: “I’ve been cooped up at home for 18 months, NASA execs Zooming from five-star hotels? #NASAScandal”
Another user made a sticker pack, Photoshopping Jim’s face by the hotel pool, captioned: “Monitoring China launch… #HotelGate”
Another netizen satirized: “Chinese people building moon landing spaceships, our leaders building hotel bills.”
Fox quickly followed up, inviting experts to discuss public officials’ behavioral norms during the virus outbreak.
The Fox anchor asked: “Does this reflect dereliction of duty by NASA’s leadership?”
The specially invited expert responded: “At this critical moment in the space race, such behavior damages public trust.”
CNN, NBC and other television stations played dead.
Either glossing over it in morning news or not mentioning it at all.
After all, the Donkey Party was in the White House now, they couldn’t undermine the Donkey Party.
If the Elephant Party were in the White House, then CNN and NBC would be the ones reporting extensively, and Fox would be the one playing dead.
A few days later, netizens tweeted exposing that Nelson’s blurred background was actually a conference room in a luxury hotel in Miami.
Other netizens confirmed this by comparing hotel website photos, and Lamin quickly followed up with a follow-up report: “NASA Director Also in Hotel, Work-from-Home Becomes Empty Talk.”
Musk retweeted the news, adding a laughing emoji.
Followed by posting several more tweets.
“Better to just cancel NASA and give the budget all to SpaceX”
“Compared to NASA, SpaceX is simply too clean and efficient.”
“I’ve met Nelson many times, he really knows how to enjoy himself.”
This news further ignited public anger.
NASA urgently issued a statement, claiming the senior officials were working from hotels due to “security and work needs,” for example, Casey Ludwig temporarily checked into a hotel due to storm damage at home.
But the statement failed to quell the controversy.
Isn’t this just laughable?
Doubts arose even more: “Why not explain in advance? Why choose luxury hotels?”
Bill Nelson held an emergency Zoom meeting, this time with a clear home study background, repeatedly emphasizing not to let reporters in again.
He told the team: “We underestimated the public’s reaction, we must publicly apologize.”
Pamela Melroy sighed: “I just went to visit my sick mother, didn’t expect to be misunderstood.”
Jim Bridenstine was annoyed: “I shouldn’t have chosen that hotel, too conspicuous.”
NASA subsequently issued an open letter, promising to enhance transparency and ensure compliance with pandemic guidelines.
But the public still wasn’t buying it, new sticker packs appeared on Twitter: “NASA’s safe location = five-star hotel suite.”
The incident, against the backdrop of the 2021 virus spread, sparked widespread discussion.
The public was fatigued by strict work-from-home requirements, and seeing senior officials’ privileged behavior only fueled more anger.
Some congressmen called for an investigation into whether NASA leadership abused public funds; Senator Bernie Sanders posted on Twitter: “NASA should focus on space exploration, not hotel luxuries.”
Sanders, though Donkey Party, was one of the rare idealists in the Donkey Party, willing to speak up justly.
Meanwhile, China’s Ben Yue Hao successfully completed the mission, verifying command module, docking, and EVA capabilities.
American media began linking the “HotelGate” with the two countries’ space race.
The Washington Post commented: “China Aerospace advances by leaps and bounds, while NASA senior officials vacation—how can we compete?”
The White House Press Secretary was asked about it at the briefing, responding: “The president is full of confidence in NASA’s scientific contributions, but we expect all officials to comply with pandemic guidelines.”
These words failed to quell the controversy, instead sparking more discussion.
The incident also triggered discussions on America’s space competitiveness.
Some commentators called for increasing NASA’s budget to accelerate the Artemis program to counter the China challenge.
American netizens on Twitter weren’t buying it: “Chinese people chasing the Moon, we’re chasing hotel bills.
Wake up, America!”
China’s manned spaceflight test mission continued.
On the 14th day, the mission neared its end. The spaceship prepared to return to Earth. The command module separated from the service module and entered reentry orbit.
“Reentry program initiated.” Qian Fei reported.
The spaceship plunged into the atmosphere, the heat shield glowed red, and the cabin temperature rose.
Zhao Jianguo gripped the handrail tightly, feeling the high G-force oppression.
“Deceleration normal, altitude 50 kilometers.” He read out the data.
The parachute deployed, the spaceship descended slowly, finally splashing down in the predetermined Pacific Ocean area.
Recovery ships quickly arrived, and the astronauts were safely retrieved.
In the control center, staff cheered jubilantly.
Lin Ran announced: “Ben Yue Hao mission a complete success!”
On the other side of Earth, NASA was also holding a press conference; Nelson looked somber, facing the microphone and saying:
“I will take responsibility for the management dereliction, announcing my resignation as NASA Director. I have obtained Mr. President’s permission and will leave NASA effective immediately.”
