Chapter 275: The Vision Of The Moon Landing
When Lin Ran’s foot truly stepped on the moon soil, an unprecedented emotion surged in his heart; he finally understood why Aldrin was so nostalgic about this place.
The moon’s scenery was desolate and lonely; besides the novelty, it was far from comparable to the colorful vistas on Earth.
Even this kind of scenery could find similar places on Earth.
Here, it was the meaning itself that brought the emotion.
From Chang’e Flying to the Moon to Mid-Autumn family reunions, the entire Earth, no matter where you are, regardless of local government, race, or identity, everyone sees the same moon.
It is even the same moon that has hung in the sky from ancient times to the present, shining on kings, generals, scholars, and talents, and so on.
The first Chinese person to land on the moon is not Chang’e nor Wu Gang, but Lin Ran.
This is the emotional bond between Cultural China and the moon.
For Lin Ran himself, hosting the moon landing project in 1960, and hosting the moon landing project again in the 20 spacetime, this is his first time personally stepping on the moon’s soil; this is the reward for his own hard work.
In addition, Lin Ran’s idea of leading humanity to leave Earth, using the moon as an outpost to help humanity leave Earth, grew even stronger.
His appearance always had to change something; otherwise, just using the door to show off on Earth would be too boring.
At this moment, Lin Ran felt mixed feelings.
His words, transmitted via electromagnetic signals, spread across the globe.
21st century first person to land on the moon.
At this moment, China’s bullet screen only had 6.
Nothing else.
All uniform 6.
Even the sighs posted by netizens were drowned in the ocean of 6.
Bilibili live broadcast backend bandwidth had never been so tense.
Besides official platforms, other anchors were all black screen accompanying stream viewers to watch the moon landing.
A certain gaming commentary duo, Baldy and Fatty, who had just joined Bilibili in October 2021, live-streamed the whole thing:
“Sigh, pretty slick. Brother Sun, I saw online that this is like sleeping with the neighbor’s wife and then live-streaming it to them, and they can’t do anything about it, even have to send blessings.” Fatty said seriously.
“?” Baldy was full of question marks: “What are you implying?”
Fatty said: “I’m not implying anything; it’s all over the internet. Think about it: we used American technology to go to the moon ourselves. Before, only Americans had been to the moon, over and over again. Now we used their technology to go up.
And the White House even sent blessings for our success, right? This live broadcast is global too. Think about it, isn’t that the idea? Not saying you!”
Even though Fatty was playing this enduring old meme, the live stream was still all brushing 6.
After Lin Ran’s voice sounded, the two stopped talking and listened intently to Lin Ran’s speech.
After Lin Ran finished speaking, Fatty sighed: “He’s indeed a professor; what he said is, how to put it, very visionary. This vision is boundless, talking about turning the moon into humanity’s forward base for stepping into the universe, giving the moon more practical significance.
Why couldn’t I think of that?
Our literary quality is still insufficient. Brother Sun, I think we need to read more novels.”
Baldy said: “I read a lot; lately I’ve been reading that The Reborn Prince Consort and Sword Come.
These words were actually prepared in advance; everyone feels very passionate and satisfying the first time they hear them.
I think the most perverted part is that it depends on who says it. Ran Shen this guy is too perverted; when he says it, I really believe he can do it.
One and a half years to moon landing, he achieved that. At this speed, turning the moon into a human outpost doesn’t seem that hard for him.
I think that’s the most perverted part. In the past, I never thought our country could produce such a character.
Indeed, the East rises as the West declines is real. In novels, when a faction is rising, all sorts of prodigy characters emerge endlessly.”
Even gaming live streams were talking about the moon landing.
Whether you’re streaming games, dance, singing, or virtual characters, all black screen commentating on the Apollo Moon Landing.
After Lin Ran finished speaking, Aldrin exited the lunar module.
On external network live streams, the bullet screen was previously all Pog, meaning amazement, mainly from the emoticon PogChamp.
Domestic was brushing 6, abroad was Pog.
When Aldrin came out, the bullet screen was all brushing Buzz.
Besides Americans breaking down, people from other countries were actually quite happy, especially since Aldrin could go up too, adding more legendary color to the entire moon landing.
As the prototype for Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, Aldrin already had some fame on external networks. With his participation in this mission, his deeds were dug up again by people.
Aldrin stood on the lunar surface, feeling the lightness of 1/6 gravity.
He looked down at the footprints and murmured: “This familiar feeling is back again; stepping on it is truly wondrous.”
Lin Ran said: “Come on, Buzz, say a few words.”
Aldrin said: “Fifty-two years ago, I came here. The Soviet Union hadn’t dissolved yet, America was still a nation full of hope. We still had all sorts of problems back then, but we were united, hardworking, striving; we worked hard for the country’s future.
But now, now America is a nation that puts interests above all. In my view, businessmen can be like that, but politicians cannot. Politicians bear the expectations of the public. Now politicians just want to make money, just want to make their account balances look better.
Fifty-two years ago, I rode NASA’s spaceship here, but fifty-two years later, I can only ride the professor’s spaceship to come. NASA? Where is NASA?
This is wrong. Washington has let down the American public! Washington’s politicians are all a bunch of damn parasites.
At the same time, the American public is a bunch of good-for-nothing freeloaders! A bunch of spoiled wastes! Only thinking about what welfare the government gives me, how much relief money I get. When it comes to factories, they shake their heads. Talk about manufacturing repatriation—do you really want to work in factories?
Shouting manufacturing repatriation on their lips, but never prepared in their hearts to contribute to the country!
Don’t forget President Kennedy’s words: Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country!
You wastes now are like: Don’t ask what I can do; the country should do whatever it can for me!
Washington’s politicians are parasites, and you public are wastes! A bunch of wastes who want welfare without contribution, shouting freedom on their lips—enjoying welfare isn’t all of freedom.
Fifty-two years ago, America alone had over 400,000 workers on the Apollo Program working for us. Now? Does the aerospace industry still have that many workers?
For America to be great again, it needs not just politicians getting back on track, but more importantly, the public awakening. Are you really prepared to awaken, prepared to contribute?
In the over a year I worked in China, I witnessed the hard work, wisdom, sacrifice, and dedication of Chinese people, from young to old.
In the future age of space navigation, if America continues like this, we will have no combat power. This isn’t good for China either—like the space race during the Cold War, China would lack a competitor that pressures them.
After the Soviet Union disappeared, NASA went down the path of no return to degeneration.
I’m already 91 years old. I won’t see American politicians become human again and the public regain the quality of hard struggle, but I hope that moment comes.”
Lin Ran was stunned; he knew clearly that this speech was definitely a script Aldrin had prepared long ago. Cursing Washington politicians was basic operation, especially for astronauts from the Cold War era—not cursing would make them a deity.
But the problem is, cursing the American public as wastes—this operation, how to put it, is spot on.
As someone who studied in America, Lin Ran knew exactly what the American public was like.
But the problem is, this is extremely politically incorrect.
Simple logic: As someone who went to the moon twice, spanning two centuries no matter how he went up, Aldrin is an unavoidable figure in aerospace history.
For a place like America, lacking history and being a maritime civilization, they will absolutely enshrine Aldrin as a god.
At the same time, to offset negative impact, future reports will definitely focus on Aldrin; his posthumous fame is securely in hand.
And Aldrin’s words here are equivalent to burying his own reputation, just to warn Americans: It’s not just the politicians’ fault, it’s also you wastes’ fault.
Lin Ran immediately felt deep respect for Aldrin, thinking he indeed didn’t misjudge him. Saying what’s correct but politically incorrect requires courage, and more importantly, that he is a true patriot.
“？？？？”
“Buzz gone crazy?”
“Good rant!”
“XDDDD”
Because YouTube is a global platform, and this moon landing isn’t just watched by Americans.
American public all question marks: Not cursing Washington politicians is fine, but suddenly cursing us—what’s that about?
Public from other countries frantically posted all sorts of laughing emojis, because they felt Aldrin voiced their hearts.
They thought he said it too well, right to their hearts.
Chinese citizens didn’t react much, because very few could understand English.
The Earth’s reactions, Lin Ran and Aldrin had no time to care now; they still had a lot of work to do.
Among them, what Lin Ran looked forward to most was definitely planting the flag.
GET 109:05:00, Lin Ran and Aldrin took out the folded flags and aluminum flagpoles.
The national flag used special material to ensure it unfurled in a waving shape in vacuum.
Besides the national flag, they also brought flags from China Aerospace, NASA, and Soviet Space Agency.
To elaborate, NASA has a flag, Soviet Space Agency has no official flag, but they have a space program badge, so here Apollo Technology chose the 1960s Soviet Space Agency space program badge.
(This picture spans from the 1950s to today, Soviet Union/Russia space program badges)
Lin Ran was responsible for planting China’s national flag, while Aldrin planted the three national aerospace agency flags in order.
Among them, the NASA flag used the 1960s version as well.
They assembled the flagpoles separately, fixed the flags, movements proficient.
They selected a spot 10 meters east of the lunar module; Lin Ran forcefully inserted the flagpole into the moon soil.
The soil surface was loose, but the lower layer harder; he hammered it to ensure the flagpole was stable.
After planting China’s national flag, Lin Ran helped Aldrin adjust the angles so all flags faced the camera.
Lin Ran saluted solemnly and said: “Glory to the homeland!”
Aldrin used the camera to photograph, recording this moment.
The five-star red flag waved on the lunar surface, becoming an eternal symbol.
Then the two used the delayed photography function, stood in front of the various national aerospace agency flags, and took a group photo.
China’s live stream chat exploded:
“Five-star red flag planted on the moon! We completed national flag deployment; global Chinese people cheer with joy!
At the same time, we also planted 1960s NASA and Soviet Space Agency flags, paying tribute to the outstanding contributions made by humanity’s stars during the Cold War to the moon landing journey!
NASA’s Apollo first brought human footprints to the moon; their contributions will be remembered in human history, but we must not forget the Soviet Union’s contributions—they even paid with life for the moon landing program. Without the pressure from the Soviet Space Agency on NASA during the Cold War, humanity’s moon landing wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.
We embodied the international spirit; these three flags are the best embodiment of China’s concept!”
This process was communicated in advance with the Chinese side, including CCTV news hosts who knew beforehand; this was a prepared script.
Seeing this scene, Chinese citizens were very moved by China’s magnanimity and vision.
Although China is still on the road to becoming the world’s number one, this vision is undoubtedly demonstrated.
“I want to say, no matter who came up with the idea to plant 1960s NASA and Soviet Space Agency flags, I can only say this is truly a top-level open scheme.” This was the highest-liked comment on Weibo about the matter.
Lin Ran took out the passive seismograph from the MESA for detecting moonquakes and meteor impacts.
They chose a flat area about 20 meters from the lunar module to avoid engine airflow interference.
Lin Ran placed the passive seismograph on the ground and adjusted with a level: “Level error 0.2 degrees, meets requirements.”
Then connected the solar panel to ensure equipment power: “PSE power activated, data transmission normal.”
Lin Ran reported via communicator: “Wenchang Control Center, PSE deployment complete, signal good.”
Control Center responded: “Received, PSE data received, continue mission.”
They deployed the laser ranging retroreflector (LRRR) for precise measurement of Earth-moon distance.
Lin Ran placed the LRRR next to the PSE, ensuring it faced Earth. He fine-tuned the reflector angle: “Angle calibrated, ready for laser reception.”
“LRRR in position, mirror dust-free.” Lin Ran reported: “BJ, LRRR deployment complete.”
Control Center: “Received, laser signal locked, positioning accurate.”
Then collected moon samples.
Lin Ran used shovel, tongs, and sample bags, selecting diverse samples including gray basalt, olivine-rich rocks, and fine soil.
Lin Ran picked up a porous rock and observed: “This rock is like honeycomb, possibly formed by volcanic eruption.”
He clamped it with tongs and put it into numbered A1 sample bag.
Aldrin shoveled soil: “This soil is as fine as flour, really dusty when lifted.” Put into numbered S1 bag.
For every sample collected, they photographed with camera and recorded position. Lin Ran said: “Sample A2, 5 meters north of landing point, gray-white basalt.”
Aldrin added: “S2, surface soil, contains small particles.”
Lin Ran used core tube to collect deep samples.
He inserted the tube into soil, hammered it to about 30 cm deep, then pulled out and put into sealed bag: “Core sample C1, depth 30 cm, soil layering obvious.”
Aldrin recorded: “C1 from west of landing point, expected to contain multiple sediment layers.”
They collected about 20 kg of samples total, providing precious research materials for later study.
After completing main tasks, they had about 20 minutes left to explore the surroundings.
They walked around the landing point, experiencing moon’s low gravity, with jump heights reaching 1 meter.
Lin Ran said: “Buzz, help me calculate how long it takes me to go from here to a place over 1200 meters away.”
Aldrin felt a bit strange—why 1200 meters?
He would never know that in another spacetime, Gagarin had completed a 1200-meter fuel tank transfer task.
Lin Ran quickly reached the 1200-meter spot, with error not exceeding 1 meter.
Then returned to where Aldrin was.
“Professor, you took five minutes,” Aldrin said.
Lin Ran thought to himself: Back then Gagarin had to transfer the fuel tank; unfortunately couldn’t this time. Next time, doing a joint US-Soviet moon landing would be more convenient; then he could try it himself.
Aldrin noticed the horizon’s curvature: “The moon’s horizon is so close, like standing on a small planet.”
He also tried running on the moon, laughing: “This is much easier than on Earth; now I really feel back to forty!”
They photographed terrain with camera, recording the flat area of Sea of Tranquility and distant hills.
Lin Ran sighed: “This scenery inspires awe; the moon is humanity’s treasure.”
The camera recorded this: “Astronauts freely exploring on the moon! Their footsteps open new vistas for humanity!”
GET 111:20:00, EVA nearing end, astronauts began returning to lunar module.
Lin Ran took one last look at the lunar landscape: “This is an unforgettable journey, but good thing we’ll come back.”
Aldrin sighed: “Professor, you’ll definitely come back, but I’m not so sure.”
They stored sample bags and tools in MESA, cleaned moon dust off boots.
Lin Ran climbed the ladder first back into the cabin, Aldrin following closely.
GET 111:27:00, they closed the hatch, activated pressurization system, cabin pressure restored to 5 psi.
Lin Ran reported: “Wenchang Control Center, EVA complete, cabin pressurization normal.”
Control Center responded: “Lunar Module, mission perfect, welcome back!”
Aldrin took off his spacesuit, smiling: “Moon dust is really sticky; boots like coated in flour!”
Lin Ran said: “Can’t avoid that.”
After the two returned to the lunar module, the CCTV host was emotional and passionate: “Chinese astronauts complete 2 hours 31 minutes EVA!
They planted flags, deployed instruments, collected samples, making huge contributions to scientific exploration!”
