Chapter 462: Moon, Mars, And The Solar System
Lin Ran rarely accepts program interviews, even after being elected to the Two Houses academies, he only accepted a short three-minute interview with CCTV.
Moreover, every time he accepts public interviews externally, he is purposeful, and the goals he mentioned in the program were all proven to be facts in the near future.
So people who want to interview Lin Ran are as numerous as the carp crossing the river; this is traffic, and more importantly, a symbol of status.
Being able to interview Lin Ran means you are a top stream in the media, whether traditional media or self-media.
Tim was quite excited upon learning he had another chance to do an exclusive interview.
Even as a top stream on Bilibili, such an opportunity is rare for him.
He learned from Bilibili official that originally this interview was to be done by Teacher Luo, but for some reason it fell to him.
Actually, there aren’t that many reasons; it’s simply because Lin Ran doesn’t like that person Old Luo.
“Bilibili friends, hello everyone. I’m very honored to have the opportunity to interview Ran Shen. If you have any questions, you can leave comments below this post; I’ll selectively bring up the ones with the most likes during the interview.”
Tim posted in his channel’s feed.
“Want to know when Ran Shen will get married? My coordinate is Shudu, gender male, do I still have a chance?” Such goofy comments always get the most likes in this postmodern society where everything can be deconstructed.
Similar questions about Lin Ran’s personal life occupied the top three in likes, and only from fourth did they start getting serious.
“Ask Ran Shen, when will we install nuclear weapons launchers on the Moon? Want to see Hajime pissed off.” Somewhat serious, but limited.
“Want to ask if we dug up a lithography machine on the far side of the Moon? Otherwise, why did we suddenly overcome the 7nm fully domestic production line?”
“Can you ask Ran Shen when the 5 million RMB Moon tourism project will launch? My wallet is ready.”
“When will the 50,000 RMB Moon tourism launch? 5 million is still too expensive; can you learn from Lei Zong and do a 50,000 ‘make a friend’ deal?”
In Tim’s feed, not only Chinese netizens asked questions, but also in English and Japanese; netizens from other countries were quite active too.
Japanese netizens’ biggest concern is whether it’s possible to cooperate together, and if Japanese people can go work at China’s Moon Base.
As a premise, Japanese people who hang out on the Chinese Internet are basically friendly to China, so they raise such questions.
American netizens’ biggest concern is the G2 vision proposed by Mearsheimer: whether China will accept doing G2 on the Moon, with everyone divided by the North and South Poles without interfering with each other.
Because of Big T’s endorsement, Michel Mearsheimer, this Western expert who is dim in the West but bright in the East, has received unprecedented attention in America.
This is also a trend of thought caused by reality.
Twenty years ago, when weak China, disintegrated Soviet Union, and Europe prostrating at America’s feet existed, no matter how much endorsement Mearsheimer got, he couldn’t stir up waves.
Facing the military potential shown by the Lunar Surface electromagnetic rail in this space rescue, American public felt it deeply.
Various television stations are discussing what we should do.
Shifting perspective back to domestic China, to ride this wave of heat, the time prepared for Tim wasn’t long.
The program recording starts in three days; Tim made ample preparations, spending almost all his time preparing the script, striving for perfection.
“Hello everyone, I’m very happy and honored to have this interview opportunity. Our interviewee this time has many legends in the streets; using game terms, his legend value is absolutely maxed out.
Maxed legend value also means many resounding titles: Fields Medalist, Apollo Technology founder, 21st century first person to land on the moon, etc. Any one title is an achievement others can’t attain in a lifetime, but he achieved them all in one body.
But his most common title is still Ran Shen, God of Technology.
In the past, some said he was China’s Musk, but now such voices have vanished; he ushered in a brand new era.
Thanks to Ran Shen and Bilibili official for giving me this opportunity to interview our omnipotent Ran Shen!” After Tim finished a long opening speech facing the lens, he turned around and applauded Lin Ran.
Lin Ran nodded: “Hello Tim, hello Bilibili friends.”
Tim gave another round of applause, “Generally, interview programs need a title. From the time I found out until now, I’ve been thinking about what suitable interview title there could be.
Lunar Steel Dragon officially operational interview? Ran Shen interview after a year? Saving American astronaut – Ran Shen exclusive?
I thought left and right, couldn’t come up with a suitable title, so I choose to hand this opportunity to Ran Shen himself, let him define our interview program.
Lin Ran smiled and said: “Tim, nice opening speech.
The reason I accepted Bilibili’s interview instead of CCTV is thinking we could be more casual, so put the script in your hand on the table; this is a relaxed, pleasant interview.
This time’s title is: Moon, Mars, and Solar System.”
Tim helplessly put the script on the table in front of him, “Since Ran Shen said so, what reason do I have to refuse? Great title, and one I’m very interested in.
Also, Ran Shen, the main reason I can’t relax is if the program isn’t done well, netizens will flame me to death.”
Lin Ran grinned: “Isn’t that normal? You can’t please everyone; my backend also has a ton of people cursing me, asking why I’m so wolf warrior, why land on the Moon, why not give America face.”
Tim showed an empathetic expression: “I completely understand; indeed, no one can make everyone like them.
But I’m still very curious about these curses.”
Tim made a ‘please’ gesture, hoping Lin Ran could freely elaborate on this question; he wasn’t good at gauging the degree.
The degree here is not only the scale of questioning, but also the scale of review.
Some content, Lin Ran says can be aired, but he says it will have to be cut when broadcast.
Lin Ran said wistfully: “At first it was me returning to China; my Weibo was dug up then, right? They said I was stupid, why not stay abroad. At that time I had Fields Medal-level achievements, that is, first using pure mathematical tools to get the unconditional bound of the Twin Prime Conjecture to 246, then thoroughly destroying the Twin Prime Conjecture with pure mathematical tools.
Then I chose to return to China, to take a position at Shanghai Jiaotong University. At that time, my Weibo backend had tons of curses, saying I was stupid, that choosing to return to China I’d regret sooner or later, saying even Hawking would have to toast in China, Xu Chenyang returned to teach but went to Princeton again in less than two years.
Anyway, at that time my Weibo backend had tons of netizens giving me very negative feedback.”
Tim was a bit shocked now; he didn’t expect it so early: “Ran Shen, I’m very curious about this proportion.”
Lin Ran said: “Ninety percent, at least ninety percent negative voices, because you know at that time I was a nobody. Although I made impressive academic achievements, that was just academic; people had no impression of me as a person.
Then those who could find my Weibo were netizens quite concerned about this matter; they might be there to curse me, or remind/warn me not to return to China.
But looking at Weibo related topics below, positive opinions welcoming return to China occupied the vast majority.”
Tim mused: “Hate is more powerful than love.”
Lin Ran corrected: “No no no, both hate and love can produce power, but hate’s action power is often more direct and destructive, while love’s power is more enduring and constructive.
These negative comments, their hate object isn’t me, it’s this country; I’m just the projection of their hate. Actually, besides leaving messages in backend, they can’t influence me otherwise.
Loving me is similarly not loving me as an individual, but loving the contributions I can make to this country.
Hate, at most, doesn’t buy my products, doesn’t support manufacturers cooperating with me; besides spouting off, they can’t cause real-world impact.
But the loving individuals will pay with real money; like the previously launched Moon landing commemorative edition mobile phone, which sold extremely well, and even today many people want to collect one.
Apollo Technology, many new employees at the company annual meeting don’t want anything else, just want one of the Moon landing commemorative edition mobile phones Huawei made right after the Moon landing.
This is the power of love.”
Tim continued: “Ran Shen, so were you depressed back then?”
Lin Ran shook his head: “Of course not; I was very clear what I wanted to do. The things I want to do absolutely can’t be done in America.
Like in China, I hosted the Moon landing, hosted the Moon Base, hosted the Moon electromagnetic rail; in America, would they let a Chinese person host?
Even if I could raise hundreds of billions of US Dollars from Wall Street, get capital support from Wall Street, one order from the White House would turn it all to nothing; I’d have to hand over the company I founded, the career I built.
Even Mr. President would make his son run to the board of directors of my founded company to boss people around.
Compared to these real pessimistic expectations, what do backend negative messages on Chinese Internet count for.”
Lin Ran cited classics, referencing the recent event of Barron joining TikTok’s board.
Tim instantly got it, “Yes, I did specific research before starting the interview. In highly sensitive industries like aerospace, Chinese students since 2019 can’t even enroll, and people of Chinese descent have a hard time entering institutions like NASA or SpaceX to work.”
Lin Ran explained: “Rules are set by people; actual operation can be flexible. For me, I proved my ability; whether Bezos or Musk, they would find ways to solve my identity issue.
This actually isn’t a problem; the biggest problem is why? Why should I work for America? In other words, if I hadn’t returned then, but worked in America, now on the Moon it would be a base flying the American flag, completing space electromagnetic rail would be America, completing space interception would be America.
What do you think it would be like now?”
After a moment’s thought, Tim’s face became very grave, “I’d be extremely extremely pessimistic, feel America’s innovation ability is too strong, wonder why talents like Ran Shen don’t return to work in China but work in America.”
Lin Ran said: “Exactly, I’m Chinese; why should I help America great again? That’s White People’s business; why should I help White People build their country?
I returned in the second half of 2020, when Big T’s election was imminent, globalization had reached its end, global rightward trend already apparent; I had no reason to work for America.”
Lin Ran knew accepting the interview meant it would be translated to English and spread to YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook these social media.
He didn’t forget to apply some eye drops to Big T, echoing Donkey Party’s accusations against Big T, hinting only diversity can save America.
“Most importantly, on this land, they are all my compatriots; everything I do gives a sense of belonging that America can’t provide.” Lin Ran concluded.
Tim started applauding, facing such emotional expression.
He thought it was just posturing, three parts true feeling seven parts performance, mixed together statement.
Little did he know it was Lin Ran’s heartfelt words, something his other spacetime self couldn’t achieve, emotional compensation in this spacetime.
“So Ran Shen, let’s bring the topic back to space; there’s so much to talk about.
Because my life dream is to go to Mars, hope to die on Mars; now it seems, in my lifetime, there will definitely be a Mars tourism project.
Maybe even a Mars cemetery.” After speaking, Tim looked at Lin Ran expectantly.
Lin Ran nodded: “Going to Mars isn’t that hard; I can even say we make a plan this year, and within three years, we definitely can go to Mars.”
Tim feigned shock: “I remember last time interviewing Ran Shen, Ran Shen told me the Moon is just humanity’s stepping stone to the Solar System.”
Lin Ran answered: “Correct; essentially, no matter which planet in the Solar System we go to, it involves materials and computation.
Extreme management of these two resources together determines task feasibility, efficiency, and final survival rate.
Materials breakdown is power source; whether fossil fuel or electromagnetic thrust or other force forms, these need to give you enough power to escape the planet’s gravity, and during interstellar travel enough power for orbit change to enter predetermined orbit.
Also very important is, in the universe full of dense small asteroids and various craters, you need to detect and avoid.
The above all rely on power source.
Machinery here means the spacecraft itself is stable enough, won’t fail due to universe high-energy particles or other electromagnetic storms, and during soft landing, can maintain shape for slow landing.
For planets with atmosphere, also need heat shield to offset high temperature from high-speed friction.
The Moon is for practice.
If we can’t even do the Moon well, how could we do a Mars base.
From the time the Lunar Steel Dragon was built, we actually already had the ability to explore Mars.
Directly launch probes and materials from Moon to Mars, accumulate success rate with mission count.
When our competitor NASA—if NASA can be called competitor—they launch once, we can launch a hundred times.
The cost of both is about the same.”
Lin Ran was still too pessimistic; actually this proportion is far more than a hundred to one.
“So now NASA is also building a base on the Moon, Musk is also vigorously promoting Moon Base.” Tim timely chimed in.
Lin Ran nodded: “Correct, because compared to Earth, the Moon has many natural advantages.
Even without talking about energy utilizable in situ on the Moon, just talking cost, Earth launch to send object to Mars transfer orbit needs to overcome Earth’s Gravity, requiring 9.3 km per second escape velocity; on Moon it’s 2.4 km per second.
And we use electromagnetic acceleration on Moon, meaning the spaceship doesn’t need to carry heavy rocket engine, large amounts of chemical fuel, and powerful heat protection system to resist Earth atmosphere.
Of course Mars also has atmosphere, but Mars atmosphere density is only 1% of Earth’s; the needed heat shield will be much simpler and lighter, then like our Queqiao Spaceship, directly use Moon soil to manufacture the required heat shield.
This means for Mars spacecraft launched from Moon, the proportion of effective payload mass to total launch mass can greatly increase.
Weight originally for fuel and structure can now all be used for scientific instruments, cargo, or human astronauts.
We should use Queqiao for some preliminary Mars exploration in the second half of this year.”
Tim immediately reacted: “So the Moon electromagnetic rail is very important?”
Lin Ran answered: “Of course, extremely extremely important, and limited. Let me put it this way: even with technological progress and spillover, everyone has ability to go to Moon, maybe every country can build some small bases on Moon, but countries owning electromagnetic rail will be single digits.”
“Why? Ran Shen, do you mean technology lockdown? Or construction cost? In theory, as long as solving materials and computation, any major power should be able to replicate this rail.” Tim asked.
Lin Ran explained: “Because of heat dissipation.
Electromagnetic rail is essentially a huge linear motor.
To accelerate several tons heavy payload to 2.4 km/s Moon escape velocity within short twenty kilometers requires astonishing instantaneous power.
Even semi-superconducting coils produce huge resistive loss and eddy current heat in the instant of electromagnetic pulse.
On Earth, we can use water or air convection for heat dissipation, but Moon is high vacuum.
Heat can only dissipate via radiation, extremely low efficiency.
So this involves site selection scarcity.
Our success relies on an irreplicable condition combination: we built the rail in the South Pole’s permanently shadowed regions, where the natural ambient temperature provides huge natural heat sink.
This allows our superconducting coils to easily maintain below critical temperature.
If building the rail at equator or sunlit side, the required cooling system would be complex to unbearable degree, coolant and energy consumption astronomical figures.
Everyone can see the huge heat dissipation fins on both sides of our rail on Apollo Technology’s official website.
That’s already the maximum radiation area engineering and materials science can provide.
If heat dissipation insufficient, the rail overheats and fails after continuous few launches, even superconducting coils melt.
This means only places with natural heat dissipation advantages like South Pole permanently shadowed regions can possibly build electromagnetic rail.
Now South Pole is basically occupied by us; Americans choose to plant flag at North Pole; where can other countries choose? Far side of the Moon? The biggest problem there is construction difficulty.
Far side of the Moon is mainly rugged highlands full of craters of various sizes, lacking the flat terrain like near side.
To build a several-kilometers-long electromagnetic rail with extreme flatness requirement on uneven rugged terrain, earthwork and structural engineering difficulty will rise exponentially; required time and resource input, at least I don’t think other countries can do it.
So the Moon is vast, but the Moon is also tiny.
In this century, Moon players are very limited; I can even say only us and America two players.
Other countries, even if they have the idea, can only rely on China and America, borrow these two countries’ Moon infrastructure.
