Chapter 363: Stunned Chinese Netizens
“Hello everyone, welcome to CBS’s special program, Apollo Moon Landing of the 21st Century. I’m your old friend Cronkite!”
At the end of December, in the studio of Columbia Television’s CBS headquarters building in Manhattan, New York, a young white male sat at the host’s desk, speaking passionately, trying to awaken the dormant memories of the audience friends in front of their televisions, leading them back to the time of the first Apollo Moon Landing in 1969.
This host was also named Cronkite, but compared to the Cronkite of the 60s, he looked much younger.
“Well, I am indeed not the Cronkite everyone remembers. I am the grandson of host Little Walter Cronkite, Walter Cronkite IV.”
The Cronkite of the 60s was Cronkite II, and this one is Cronkite IV, born in 1988.
“As everyone knows, after experiencing numerous difficulties and obstacles, we, America, are finally returning to the Moon today. Not the Artemis program, not Starship, not Falcon 9, but General Aerospace. The familiar name General to Americans will once again lead Americans back to the Moon.
In the new era, in the 21st century, we still have to use last century’s ticket to go to the Moon. Will it succeed this time? What surprising adventures and interesting things will happen along the way?
The next week will be reported by CBS’s special program ‘Apollo Moon Landing of the 21st Century.'”
Columbia Television spent a high price to buy the exclusive broadcast rights for this Moon Landing, from live broadcast to the post-event documentary, all handled by Columbia Television.
They paid 500 million US Dollars to General Aerospace at once.
Of course, Columbia Television has already recouped the cost now. They sold the subsequent documentary to Netflix for a high price of 300 million US Dollars, which is an unprecedented high price in the market. Previously, Netflix’s highest acquisition price for a documentary was only tens of millions of US Dollars, never over 100 million.
And this time, because it is an unprecedented Moon Landing major operation with too many gimmicks, Netflix went all out and won it for 300 million US Dollars in competition with HBO.
Then the advertising sponsors together covered the remaining 200 million US Dollars and more.
This is America’s business operations ability.
In this aspect, China is quite a bit behind. This reflects the gap in consumer markets. America’s strong consumption power determines that even spending so much money on advertising, businesses can still profit.
Just like the gap in business operations between CBA and NBA.
Before the launch, Mr. President personally attended the press conference at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He emphasized tremulously: “This will be a victory of diversity. White People, women, and minority ethnic groups will jointly write history.”
In 2023, there will be a presidential election next year. Originally, the president didn’t want to come, but considering that Young John Morgan is very sensible, and the three astronauts are respectively a white male, a white female, and a black woman, this hit the publicity effect that this White House wanted.
So under the lobbying of the Morgan family, Mr. President personally attended the press conference.
After saying a few polite words at the press conference, Mr. President did not stay longer; he needed to rush to the next destination.
Of course, if this technology did not come from China, if it was developed by America itself, even if it was replicated by themselves, Mr. President would stay in Florida to watch the entire Moon Landing.
This is the difference between a biological son and a godson.
Cronkite IV spoke passionately on television: “Audience friends, today we witness history!
General Aerospace’s replicated Saturn V will carry three astronauts: Command Module pilot Colonel John Smith, a white male, veteran Air Force pilot; Lunar Module pilot Dr. Emily Johnson, a white female, astrophysicist; and science expert Lieutenant Sarah Williams, a black woman, geologist.
This diverse team symbolizes the inclusive spirit of this White House.
Launch countdown has entered the final 24 hours. Let’s switch to the Kennedy site.”
At launch pad 39A of Kennedy Space Center, the super huge Saturn V, 110 meters tall, 10 meters in diameter, weighing 2800 tons. Every time the engineers involved see this thing, a surge of pride emerges in their hearts.
So what if it’s bought? Can other countries buy it?
Command Module “Revival” and Lunar Module “Eagle Falcon” have docked at the top, covered externally with a golden heat shield layer.
“Pay attention to conducting system status polling! Including propulsion, electronics, weather boarding, use the Telemetry system to transmit parameters. After parameter transmission is complete, be sure to confirm!” Lin Ran, far away in Shanghai, transmitted through modern communication equipment to the ears of Kennedy Control Center Commander Holly Ridings, and then she relayed it.
Holly Ridings is the former NASA chief Flight Director, serving from 2018 to 2022, who stepped down just last year. She was invited by Young John Morgan to serve as on-site commander, the first woman to serve as NASA’s chief Flight Director.
(Holly Ridings in the blue flight control room at America’s Johnson Space Center)
At least from the perspective of diversity, it has full value.
If it weren’t for Lin Ran serving as commander, commanding this Apollo Moon Landing remotely, Holly definitely wouldn’t take this job.
After all, during her four years as NASA’s chief Flight Director, her proudest achievement was communication, communication with the flight control team, and communication with the SpaceX team.
Praised by the editor of the aerospace news-focused “Aerospace & Aviation” magazine as “She really is a bridge for NASA.”
From this, one can roughly understand the value of this Flight Director.
After Lin Ran finished speaking, Holly recited it once to the on-site team members.
6 hours before launch, the astronauts put on orange spacesuits in the isolation area.
John Smith patted Emily’s shoulder: “Emily, remember Aldrin and Armstrong? We’re going to surpass them today.”
In a sense, in this spacetime, Aldrin also achieved it. In the public’s mind, he and Armstrong are neck and neck in Moon Landing.
So Aldrin often thinks that sometimes, living long really has its advantages.
Emily Johnson checked the system with a tablet computer in hand: “Of course!”
Sarah Williams, curly hair and dark skin, smiled and said: “Guys, I’m more concerned about our probe this time.
According to General Aerospace, the geological drill and spectrometer included in our lunar rover can detect elements in moon soil and even underground.
Exploring the lunar south pole is crucial for our competition with China.”
CBS live broadcast switched to astronauts entering the elevator, ascending to the rocket top.
Cronkite IV explained: “Audience, see? The Saturn V replica retains the original design, but General Aerospace added modern redundant systems, such as digital flight control computer and GPS-assisted navigation.
The launch time window is only 2 hours to match the Earth-Moon Orbit alignment.”
In the control center, Ridings asked Lin Ran: “Professor, what should we do now?”
Lin Ran was a bit dazed, feeling as if he was at Cape Canaveral, seeming to be back 60 years ago. The title Professor was familiar, but this female voice made him increasingly uncomfortable no matter how he listened.
More than 50 years ago, when I was at NASA, there was no talk of so much diversity. We put the capable ones up, and the incapable ones down.
Back then, there wasn’t a single female engineer visible in the entire control center, though the orbital calculation team did have female engineers.
“Conduct the final ignition sequence verification before Moon Landing. Pre-cool the engine at T-10 minutes, ignite at T-6 seconds.
Now pay attention to monitoring whether turbopump speed and combustion chamber pressure are normal!
Make sure all systems show green lights.
After fuel loading is complete, ensure the first stage liquid oxygen temperature is at -183°C and stable.
T-2 hours, start the countdown.” Lin Ran handled these processes with ease, having operated them countless times.
Astronauts entered the Command Module. John sat in the left seat, responsible for navigation; Emily in the middle, monitoring the Lunar Module interface; Sarah on the right, handling scientific data.
They fastened their seatbelts and activated helmet communications.
“Kennedy Control Center, Revival is in position,” John reported.
Ridings first responded: “Received.”
Then she switched communication channel and asked: “Professor, shall I pull you into the channel with the astronauts? Anyway, the outside world knows you will participate in this command. Shall I transfer all command authority to you?”
Lin Ran took a deep breath, inwardly complaining about how NASA has come to this.
“How about you sync the data to me too?”
Actually, this was sarcasm.
But after hearing it, Ridings felt relieved: “Good, Professor. I’ll sync all the data dashboards over as we tested beforehand. During your command, remember to note the communication latency is about 100 milliseconds. There’s a dedicated latency display in the data dashboard.”
Lin Ran in Shanghai thought, when I return to the 1960 spacetime, I’ll clean out all the freeloaders in NASA, regardless of male or female.
He formally took over command, glanced at the data on the huge screen, and said: “Weather good, no wind, launch probability 95%. Prepare for pre-launch work.”
CBS camera switched between studio and site. Ridings occasionally moved her mouth, but actually said nothing, just to pretend she was commanding all along.
After hearing Lin Ran’s voice, John Smith recognized it. He had watched a lot of China’s Moon Landing live broadcasts and replays, where this voice often appeared. Aldrin mentioned Lin Ran a lot during their training.
Thus, his heart immediately calmed down, as if this voice had some magic power.
T-10 minutes, the control center tensed up.
Lin Ran ordered: “Ignition sequence start. First stage engine pre-cool.”
On-site audience held their breath. CBS drone camera circled the rocket, capturing steam spraying from the exhaust.
T-6 seconds, F-1 engines ignited, flames jetted out, thrust instantly peaking.
Cronkite IV excitedly commentated: “Countdown! 10, 9, 8… Ignition! Saturn V lifts off!
This is Saturn V rising again at Cape Canaveral Launch Center 51 years later!”
The rocket slowly rose, tail flames lighting up the night sky.
Astronauts felt 1.5G overload.
John monitored instruments: “Thrust normal, altitude 100 meters, speed 50 m/s.”
Sarah reported: “Scientific instruments ready, no abnormal vibration.”
Lin Ran commanded: “Monitor vibration. First stage burnout and separation in 2 minutes 30 seconds.”
CBS live broadcast used multi-camera positions on the ground to capture rocket tail traces via cameras, satellite lenses tracking ascent trajectory.
Cronkite IV said: “Audience, this Saturn V has reignited the Apollo fire.
This diverse team ascends to the top. John represents traditional power, Emily symbolizes women’s rise, Sarah embodies equal opportunity.”
Watching the live broadcast on TV, Musk thought upon hearing this: If I were Cronkite II, I’d wish I didn’t have a grandson like you! Is the focus diversity? The focus is Moon Landing, Saturn V. You’re always obsessed with your diversity. Are you sick?
Not just Musk, many rednecks in rural midwestern America originally came to see the remnants of the golden age, but you shoved diversity rainbow at me? Couldn’t tolerate it. Tolerated the president’s senile speech, then came the host’s brain-dead remarks, turned off the TV.
At 2 minutes 42 seconds, first stage separation, second stage J-2 ignition, thrust reduced to 1 million kg, rocket accelerating to orbital speed.
John said: “Professor, separation smooth, entering second stage burn.” After saying it, he realized, hey, why did I directly call him Professor? Looks like I was led astray by Dr. Aldrin.
Lin Ran said: “Revival, trajectory currently normal.
Third stage ignition at T+9 minutes, entering trans-lunar injection orbit.”
3 hours after launch, rocket entered trans-lunar injection orbit, speed 11 km/s, range 380,000 km, expected 3 days to arrival.
Astronauts removed spacesuits, floating in the Command Module.
CBS live broadcast via in-cabin cameras. Cronkite IV commented: “Look, astronauts eating freeze-dried food.
Command Module volume 13 cubic meters, enough for three people to move around.”
Lin Ran timely commanded: “Prepare for mid-course correction propulsion. Use star tracker to lock on Orion, expected deviation 0.05 degrees.”
Lin Ran’s command was also heard by the engineer team at Kennedy Control Center. Everyone boiled over upon hearing this.
You’re commanding, we thought it was just procedural command, but even specific parameters are commanded by you?
Ridings relayed the team’s confusion and dissatisfaction to Lin Ran: “Professor, regarding specific parameters.”
Lin Ran interrupted: “Specific parameters later. Revival, pay attention to using radiation detector to confirm if solar wind particle flow is normal. I don’t see this data on my dashboard.”
Sarah replied: “Professor, scientific scan started.”
Lin Ran continued: “Holly, you say.”
Ridings said: “Professor, what we mean is, for specific operation parameters, shouldn’t we handle them? I tell you the data calculated by our engineer team, then you…”
Lin Ran interrupted: “No need. I’m fully responsible! Have I succeeded in Moon Landing or have you?”
Lin Ran thought, all of you together are 0, I’ve been to the Moon countless times.
Ultimately, Ridings convinced the entire team to follow Lin Ran’s command as previously stated.
This is not strange; it’s Ridings’ management routine. In that 2012 incident, she was Flight Director, without the “chief” title.
Williams and Japanese astronaut Hoshide Akihiko encountered a problem with the carbon dioxide removal system on the space station, which is crucial for space survival.
None of the repair methods suggested by the flight control team worked. Williams and Hoshide Akihiko couldn’t solve the problem.
Finally, Williams called Ridings via private telephone, asking if astronauts could solve it their own way.
Ridings convinced the team to let the astronauts solve it themselves.
Yes, this is Ridings’ management style, the tradition. If you want to do it and can take responsibility, then go ahead.
Done this way, of course it’s considered good communication and exchange. Any manager without their own persistence and principles, always holding an attitude of not wanting to take responsibility, is bound to be seen as good at communication.
The ground dispute only lasted a very short few minutes.
Sarah immediately replied: “Professor, our radiation detector shows solar wind particle flow normal, dose 0.01 mSv/hour.”
Lin Ran said: “Good, Revival, prepare to execute MCC-1.
Propulsion system pulse 10 seconds.”
John pushed the control stick: “Propulsion complete, trajectory aligned for lunar gravity capture.”
In the Earth CBS live broadcast, an expert interview was inserted: “Lunar orbit insertion is key.
After third stage separation, the Command Module service module’s SPS engine will decelerate into 100 km lunar orbit.”
Third day, entered lunar orbit.
Lin Ran ordered: “Lunar Module separation preparation.”
Emily and Sarah entered Eagle Falcon equipped with the unmanned lunar probe, while John stayed in the Command Module orbiting.
CBS live broadcast split screen: one side John’s monologue, “Guys, good luck for safe landing.” Other side Emily operating: “Descent engine ignition, altitude 5000 meters, speed reduced to 0.”
Emily reported: “Terrain radar locked.
Lunar surface craters and depressions, selected flat area per original plan: east side of Sea of Tranquility, avoiding boulders.”
Sarah monitored: “Fuel remaining 30%, sufficient. Landing legs deployed.”
Lin Ran said: “Eagle Falcon, altitude 100 meters, prepare to enable manual control!”
Emily pulled the lever, engine stopped, Eagle Falcon touched down, hydraulic device ensuring smooth landing.
In CBS studio, Cronkite IV cheered: “Landed! Eagle Falcon has descended on the Moon.
History repeats, Apollo Moon Landing successful again!”
Although China has repeatedly landed on the Moon countless times, this Moon Landing still excited Cronkite endlessly, raising his arms high.
American public, many who originally refused to watch due to diversity, obediently returned to their televisions.
Astronauts opened the door. Sarah took the first step out: “This is one small step for a black woman, one giant leap for humanity.”
Rednecks couldn’t take it upon hearing this and angrily turned off the TV again.
They explored for 2 hours, installing the American flag and scientific instruments.
At the same time, they placed the lunar rover on the lunar surface and completed debugging.
Watching this American Moon Landing, besides Americans, many people from other countries were also watching the live broadcast, including Chinese netizens.
Some sharp-eyed Chinese netizen discovered: Damn, why is there a Xiaomi LOGO on the Americans’ lunar rover? Seriously suspecting if I saw it wrong.
“Is this Xiaomi?”
Chinese netizens could hardly believe it.
YouTube’s live broadcast can be replayed anytime.
They rewound the progress bar to when the lunar rover first appeared, confirming repeatedly that the LOGO was indeed MI.
“No way, how did Xiaomi’s LOGO appear on the Americans’ lunar rover? Xiaomi ads reached America?”
The entry “Apollo Moon Landing Xiaomi” quickly rose to the top ten on Weibo hot search.
