Chapter 276: Returning To Earth
Vision this thing, saying it’s important it is important, saying it’s not important it’s not important.
It depends on the object.
Many regional powers never talk about vision and live just fine.
But for countries aiming to reach the top, vision is extremely important.
If it weren’t for the Marshall Plan and the Berlin airlift, Europe wouldn’t be so loyal to America for so many years; later generations are just squandering the political legacy left by their predecessors.
But this political legacy is so abundant.
If it weren’t for the Soviet Union’s Council for Mutual Economic Assistance’s support for Central Asia and Eastern Europe, Russia wouldn’t have even gotten the name of one of the Top Three Powers; it wasn’t until 2022 that the outside world became disenchanted with them.
For these very few countries, vision is particularly important.
This time China’s moon landing, although it’s civilian action, to the outside world, this isn’t civilian action at all.
Even to Chinese Citizens, everyone doesn’t think it’s purely civilian action.
At the beginning, what they wanted to bring up was Bilibili’s little TV, Shanghai Jiaotong University’s school flag, and the national flag.
Later, with China Aerospace’s deep involvement, everyone discussed and replaced the first two, finally deciding that besides being a breakthrough in our aerospace history, we also have to pay tribute.
Of course, China Aerospace proposed that we should bring up the NASA flag; since we’re slapping faces, let’s make it more direct.
You couldn’t get up there yourselves, couldn’t plant your own flag on the Moon, we’ll help you.
As a living fossil of the Cold War, no one globally understands the ins and outs and details of the Cold War better than Lin Ran; even the one sitting in the White House, in the 1960s, was just an unknown little guy, while Lin Ran was already a big shot spanning the White House and the Kremlin, whose status even the president couldn’t shake.
Lin Ran proposed also bringing up the Soviet Space Agency’s flag, to pay tribute to the contributions both sides made to humanity’s aerospace in the 1960s.
What Lin Ran was thinking inside also included that in the 1960s spacetime it was national flags, in this spacetime, I’ll help you plant the NASA and Soviet Space Agency flags.
As for Bilibili and Jiaotong University, could they say half a no?
This scene, along with the video, spread globally, causing an unprecedented propagation effect.
History and the present intertwined, producing a wonderful resonance effect, elevating the significance of the entire moon landing to another level.
“I didn’t experience the Cold War, didn’t watch the Apollo Moon Landing live broadcast, but in my youth I always yearned for that Golden Age, where the two superpowers from different camps competed over who would leave Earth first; looking at it today, how wonderful that was.
After growing up, the burdens of life made me gradually forget that humanity once had such a wonderful Golden Age; the slogan to make America great again talks about the 1960s, but no one mentions the Soviet Union, mentions the huge pressure our once greatest competitor brought us.
Such huge pressure made politicians dare not act recklessly in the congressional budget, because once they did, like the Vietnam War, the Soviet Union’s pressure would directly and quickly manifest in every aspect.
We’ve forgotten the Golden Age for too long, forgotten that humanity had already set foot on the Moon’s soil 52 years ago, forgotten that we’ve been trapped on Earth, and that the Moon and Mars are just beautiful wishes.
Watching this China company named Apollo Technology do the moon landing, I felt like I was back in my youth; seeing the NASA and Soviet Space Agency flags standing on the Moon, I teared up, never missing that Golden Age so much.
I deeply thank China for becoming our competitor; Americans and the American Government should all awaken! We can’t go on like this.
The road to the Moon can’t only have Chinese persons’ figures.”
America’s Twitter hot search, ranking third is #America Should Awaken.
Second is #Aldrin Moon Landing.
“Seeing Aldrin’s moon landing, a man over ninety years old, still having such ambition, still having the physique and spirit to complete the moon landing, it’s really hard to imagine; he has surpassed the era itself and become a symbol of the moon landing.”
First is #Aldrin Speech.
The full text and video of Aldrin’s speech are being spread everywhere on Twitter, with Musk leading the retweets.
Musk, as a South African immigrant, has always looked down on rednecks from the bottom of his heart, thinking this bunch is hopelessly mediocre.
“good”
“Dr. Aldrin said it brilliantly!”
“I will give Dr. Aldrin 10 million US Dollars as a reward in my personal capacity!”
Actually, up to here, it already fully shows Musk’s attitude; his viewpoint aligns with Aldrin’s.
He felt it wasn’t enough, and about half an hour later, Musk came with a long rant:
“Dr. Aldrin said it very well; he is a true Patriot. He not only pointed out the problems with Washington politicians but also the problems with American public; I’m sincerely happy that America still has such Patriots.
The problems with politicians have been talked about by too many people, from traditional media to various KOLs; I don’t have more or better viewpoints. About the American public, I have a lot to say.
The same positions, manufacturing recruits people far harder than the service industry. Clearly our labor participation rate is running high, but manufacturing in all states shows shortages; Dr. Aldrin’s words unveiled the cruel reality of America.
I very much agree with his viewpoint; the public should also enter manufacturing.”
(Americans screwing screws in factories)
Aldrin combined with Musk’s fierce remarks made the entire public opinion rapidly spread on social media.
“Musk is so right; America needs to stop complaining and revive the fighting spirit of the 1960s!”
“Musk got rich on government subsidies, yet calls us lazy? The billionaire’s hypocritical face.”
“Musk praises America yet disparages America; which side is he on? For Tesla’s business?”
“His point about politician corruption makes sense, but calling all the public ‘losers’ is too much; manufacturing repatriation is a complex problem, not solved simply by getting people into factories.”
“NASA’s Artemis program is advancing; his words are a bit exaggerated. Isn’t SpaceX’s success because of NASA’s contracts? How can he criticize?”
But mainly opposing voices; no one likes being accused, especially by a billionaire. You’re so rich, accusing us of not wanting to work hard; we work hard for your companies and interests?
The contradiction between the two sides is naturally irreconcilable.
At this point, what Aldrin said became unimportant, because Musk personally jumped into the public opinion arena to fight the public.
And in China, the moon landing is only half completed.
The other half, returning to Earth, is not yet done.
Everyone is still watching the live broadcast, even if the live image is only simulation animation.
But everyone hopes to hear the news of the Lunar Module and Command Module successfully completing docking.
At mission time 112 hours 10 minutes, Lin Ran and Aldrin completed EVA inside the “Lunar Module,” sorted equipment, and ensured the 20 kg moon samples were safely stored in the sealed container.
Additionally, they needed to check the ascent engine, navigation computer, and reaction control system.
Lin Ran checked item by item: “APS fuel pressure normal, thrust 3300 pounds, navigation system online.
Oxygen sufficient, pressure 5 psi, cabin temperature 22 Celsius.”
After checking, Lin Ran said: “Buzz, next is the critical moment; we’re preparing to return to Earth!”
“Prepare for liftoff.” He reported via communicator: “Wenchang Control Center, Lunar Module preparing ascent, request permission.”
Control Center responded: “Lunar Module, ascent approved.”
Wei Xuhang monitored orbit inside the Command Module: “Lunar Module, CSM orbit stable, ready to support rendezvous anytime.”
Lin Ran responded: “Copy.”
GET 112:32:40, Lin Ran initiated separation sequence, detonated pyrotechnic bolts, accompanied by a “bang,” the ascent stage separated from the descent stage.
The descent stage stayed on the lunar surface, becoming a permanent monument to this moon landing.
Lin Ran said: “Separation successful, preparing ignition.”
GET 112:33:00, ascent engine ignition, thrust 3300 pounds, Lunar Module vibrated, slowly rising from the lunar surface.
Outside the porthole, the gray-white terrain of the Sea of Tranquility rapidly receded.
“Altitude 100 meters, ascent rate 10 m/s.”
“Attitude stable, Roll 0°, Pitch 90°.”
The two felt mild thrust, bodies pressed into seats.
Burn lasted about 7 minutes, engine sending the Lunar Module into an elliptical orbit of about 17 x 85 km.
Lin Ran reported: “Engine shutdown, orbital parameters 17.1 x 84.9 km, error 0.1 nautical miles.”
Wenchang Control Center’s commander breathed a sigh of relief inside: “Perfect burn; Command Module, Lunar Module in orbit.”
Live stream: “Lunar Module liftoff successful! Astronauts lifted off from lunar surface, entered orbit, preparing rendezvous with Command Module!”
GET 112:40:00, after Lunar Module entered orbit, preparing rendezvous with Command Module.
Wei Xuhang operated navigation system inside Command Module, adjusting orbit to sync with Lunar Module.
He locked Lunar Module via radar: “Distance 5 km, closing speed 2 m/s.”
Lin Ran initiated program P32, co-elliptical sequence initiation, adjusting “Lunar Module orbit to co-elliptical orbit approaching Command Module. He reported: “P32 executing, orbit adjusting.”
Aldrin monitored radar: “Distance 3 km, Delta-V 10 fps.”
After completing moon landing, Aldrin’s physical condition was good; no need to die on the Moon at all.
After a good cursing session, his mood was even better.
Wei Xuhang fine-tuned attitude inside Command Module: “Professor, I see you; attitude aligned.”
He operated RCS propulsion system, pointing Command Module’s docking cone at Lunar Module.
The main difficulty of rendezvous phase is that ascent phase fuel is limited; small speed errors can cause orbit deviation, requiring astronauts to do extra maneuvers themselves.
It’s actually hard to imagine that Apollo Moon Landings succeeded every time; the entire technical proposal is very complex from a technical perspective.
There are very many uncertain factors in between. Co-elliptical rendezvous method takes about 3.5 hours, nearly two orbits, involving continuous updates and monitoring, increasing astronaut workload.
According to Apollo flight log records, Armstrong and Aldrin’s heart rates in ascent phase reached 90 and 120 respectively, reflecting psychological pressure, and the tense operations during docking further intensified the pressure.
GET 113:30:00, entering terminal phase, Lin Ran controlled Lunar Module approaching Command Module. Outside porthole, Command Module shell shone under moonlight, gradually enlarging.
Aldrin reported: “Distance 200 meters, closing speed 1 m/s.”
Lin Ran watched crosshairs on docking window, fine-tuned RCS propulsion system: “100 meters, speed stable.”
He carefully operated control stick, ensuring probe aligned with cone seat.
Wei Xuhang assisted: “Command Module attitude locked, ready for docking.”
GET 113:33:00, “Contact!” Lin Ran shouted.
Docking probe entered cone seat, three capture latches engaged, with a “click.”
Aldrin confirmed: “Soft dock successful, three latches locked.”
Lin Ran initiated probe retraction, 12 latches engaging one by one, completing hard dock.
Aldrin excitedly said: “Docking successful! Professor, well done!”
Lin Ran responded: “Team’s merit; Xuhang, your orbit adjustment was equally critical.”
Live stream: “Rendezvous docking successful! Lunar Module perfectly connected to Command Module; our astronauts about to return to Command Module!”
Chinese Citizens watching live broadcast breathed a sigh of relief inside.
GET 113:40:00, Lin Ran pressurized docking tunnel, air hissed in, pressure balanced to 5 psi. They opened hatch, floating into Command Module with sample box and equipment.
Wei Xuhang welcomed: “Welcome back; moon samples look great.”
Lin Ran handed over sample box: “20 kg moon treasure, handed to Earth scientists.”
Aldrin smilingly said: “Wei, moon scenery nice; next time it’s your turn.”
Wei Xuhang was inwardly thrilled beyond measure, smile completely unable to hide.
GET 113:50:00, they sealed hatch, jettisoned Lunar Module.
Lin Ran pressed separation button, Lunar Module slowly drifted away, eventually to crash back on lunar surface.
Lin Ran thought to himself, he had one more door on the Moon.
Aldrin observed through porthole: “Lunar Module, thank you.”
GET 135:23:42, Command Module in lunar orbit, preparing for trans-Earth injection (TEI) burn.
That is, from lunar orbit into return to Earth orbit.
Wenchang Control Center sent data: “TIG 135:23:42, Delta-V 3281 fps, attitude Roll 0°, Pitch 180°, burn time 150 seconds.”
Lin Ran inputted data: “Data entered, SPS engine ready.”
Wei Xuhang checked Command Module main engine: “Fuel pressure normal, thrust 20500 pounds.”
Then Lin Ran confirmed navigation: “Sextant calibration complete, attitude locked.”
Control Center confirmed: “Command Module, perform trans-Earth injection.”
Lin Ran responded: “Copy, preparing ignition.”
GET 135:23:42, spaceship entered far side of the Moon, communication blackout.
SPS engine ignition, lasting 2 min 30 sec, thrust 20500 pounds, accelerating spaceship to about 1.1 km/s, escaping lunar gravity.
Lin Ran watched timer: “Delta-V 2000 fps…3000 fps…”
“Temperature normal, thrust stable.”
“Battery support normal, no anomalies.”
GET 135:26:12, engine shutdown, spaceship jolted lightly.
Lin Ran reported: “TEI burn complete, speed 1.12 km/s.”
Aldrin sighed: “Earth, we’re coming back!”
Outside porthole, Moon rapidly shrank, Earth began to appear.
Wei Xuhang said: “This Earth is so beautiful, like a lighthouse coming home.”
“TEI successful! Command Module departed lunar orbit, embarked on return to Earth journey!” Bilibili official live stream.
GET 136:00:00 to 188:00:00, during three-day return trip, astronauts performed two mid-course corrections.
GET 150:00:00, first MCC using RCS propulsion system, burn 10 seconds, adjusted speed 0.5 m/s.
Lin Ran operated sextant, confirmed attitude: “Correction complete, trajectory error 0.01 nautical miles.”
Aldrin observed Earth through porthole: “Getting bigger, like summoning us.”
Wei Xuhang recorded data: “Reentry corridor locked, predicted splashdown East China Sea.”
If splashdown in Pacific Ocean, not sure they could return.
Lin Ran feared being globally pursued by Americans.
They each video called family, except Aldrin.
GET 194:49:12, approaching Earth, distance about 4000 km, speed 11 km/s.
Lin Ran initiated separation sequence, jettisoned Service Module, exposing Command Module heat shield.
Lin Ran reported: “Service Module separation, heat shield exposed.”
Live stream: “Command Module preparing reentry! Service Module separated, astronauts about to face atmosphere’s test!”
GET 195:03:05, Command Module entered atmosphere at 11 km/s, heat shield withstood about 2800 Celsius high temperature, exterior surrounded by glowing plasma.
Astronauts experienced 6.5G acceleration, pressed into seats.
Aldrin gritted teeth: “This G-force fiercer than launch!”
Lin Ran laughed: “Buzz, hold on, home soon!”
GET 195:07:00, plasma dissipated, blue sky appeared outside porthole.
GET 195:12:00, main parachutes deployed, speed reduced to 10 m/s.
Command Module splashed down in East China Sea, only 2 km from China’s recovery ship.
GET 195:18:00, helicopter arrived, astronauts hoisted to recovery ship deck.
China side welcomed and awarded Medal of Honor.
Lin Ran grinned and said: “See, I said it’s no big deal, mission smoothly completed!” Then saluted.
After the other returned salute: “Welcome back; you kid still too adventurous. Though I still think a gentleman doesn’t stand under a dangerous wall; even if you succeeded, we don’t want you going to the Moon again.”
Lin Ran understood: “Rest assured, if no particularly important mission, I definitely won’t go, okay.”
Aldrin received medal from the other’s hand, recalling he received it from President Nixon back then.
In a blink, half a century passed; at this moment he was truly filled with emotion inside, tears streaming; he knew clearly, on the Moon it was endless joy, but after returning to Earth, he had no hope of going back to America.
Or rather, even if America let him go back, he wouldn’t dare.
Heart at Cape Canaveral, body in Wenchang.
In the final stage of his life, Aldrin felt exceptionally sentimental.
Wei Xuhang received medal, saluted, chatted a couple sentences, then waved to family on deck: “We’re back!”
On CCTV, news anchor excitedly said: “China astronauts successfully splashed down Pacific Ocean! They completed historic moon landing mission, winning honor for China and opening new chapter for humanity’s space exploration!”
(All these timestamps are fine-tuned based on NASA official Apollo 11 moon landing log.)
