Chapter 90: Of Course, The More Funds, The Better
“The moon landing is just the first step,” Lin Ran changed the topic, “Next, we plan to build a space station. Simply put, it’s a large laboratory in space where scientists can go up to do experiments. Aerospace cannot just be about budget; it must deliver real value.”
To be honest, Lin Ran’s speech was very moving, but the cold hard 2 billion US Dollars on the report reminded all the congressmen present that wishes are wonderful, yet reality is brutally harsh.
Lin Ran only noticed when he stood on the stage that, although few, there were still Black congressmen in the audience.
But because there were too many White People, he hadn’t seen them from below earlier.
(The 87th Congress (1961-1963) had 4 Black congressmen, no Black senators)
“This space station is not just a research base, but also a stage to showcase America’s strength. Other countries want to come up for experiments? No problem, get in line and buy tickets first.” Lin Ran started painting the pie.
“So, respected congressmen, madam, I also hope you can take this small step and support our budget request. NASA is not just exploring the universe for America, but also opening the door to a new world for all humanity.”
Warm applause erupted from the audience, and Lin Ran breathed a sigh of relief. He knew his speech was a success.
Next was James Webber, who took the stage to detail where their budget would be spent next year.
“Professor Lin, you just mentioned the space station plan, manned moon landing, and space docking.
We can understand the latter two, but for the space station plan, many congressmen here including myself don’t quite understand it. Could you elaborate for us.” Appropriations Committee Chairman Clarence Cannon was very polite.
Lin Ran said: “In my understanding, the moon landing is just for the space race; it actually doesn’t have much value.
For a long time, we won’t have the ability to build a moon base.
The moon landing, once done, is over.
Whereas the space station is what truly has value.
We can start from the space station, from space station to small space city, then to real space city.
Completely turn space into America’s space, locking the Soviet Union on Earth.”
Lin Ran started painting the pie.
The dividends from space are the technological explosion from the 90s to 2020, not some space city.
But it’s more than enough to fool these congressmen.
If they don’t believe it, how to burn America’s funds.
“Humanity will eventually leave Earth one day, but compared to the moon, the space station is undoubtedly a better way.
We build solar cells with higher photoelectric conversion efficiency, achieving energy self-sufficiency for the space station through solar cells.
The space station can not only conduct experiments but also provide space tourism experiences for billionaires, overlooking Earth from the space station—what a unique experience.”
Lin Ran hoped America and NASA would fall into the space station pit and couldn’t climb out.
Because he still had his trump card unused.
From the perspective of sixty years later, what could make America throw resources into aerospace regardless.
The space race is only one aspect; once the Soviet Union falters, what else to make America burn 5 percent of GDP every year.
Once the Soviet Union falters, this Congress would first cut the budget.
Short-term rely on competing with the Soviet Union, long-term still need new means of persuasion.
Lin Ran wanted to find a huge carrot to dangle them with, and that carrot was immortality.
The discovery of DNA telomeres was in 1938.
But the relationship between telomeres and cell lifespan wasn’t until 1985, and the direct link between telomere shortening and cell aging waited until 1990.
From 2015 to 2016, astronaut Scott Kelly lived nearly a year on the International Space Station (ISS), while his identical twin brother Mark Kelly stayed on Earth as a control. Researchers conducted detailed comparisons of their physiological changes, including telomere length measurements. The results showed some unexpected phenomena:
Telomere length increase: In space, Scott Kelly’s telomere length did increase on average during the mission. This was opposite to the usual trend of telomeres shortening over time on Earth.
Package telomeres as the secret of human lifespan increase hidden in space, plus endorsement from a great scientist himself.
Make those old folks who truly hold power in America believe that the keys to extending human life are really hidden in space.
This is how to use the information gap effectively.
Lin Ran proposing the space station now was already laying the groundwork in advance for revealing the telomere immortality mystery.
“Moreover, we can’t always follow behind the Soviet Union, competing in fields they define.
Soviet Union launches satellite, we launch satellite; Soviet Union manned spaceflight, we do manned spaceflight; Soviet Union moon landing, we do moon landing.
We need to create competitions for them to join.
When Americans live in space, compared to the Soviet Union, America’s advantage will naturally be evident.” Lin Ran continued, “The global public will watch as Americans live in space, while the Soviet Union can only briefly enter space and slink back to Earth.”
Clarence Cannon nodded: “But how can you be sure you can achieve it?”
Lin Ran said confidently: “As I said internally at NASA, in my life there is only success, no failure.
I am very confident that we can build the world’s first space station.
It’s just a larger satellite, a satellite that can carry people.”
After the hearing ended, Lin Ran privately asked: “Can it pass?”
James Webber explained: “Getting the full 2 billion is unlikely, but we’ll get at least 1.5 billion.
Don’t worry, NASA finally has some hope; it doubled last year, doubling again this year is no problem.”
In September, NASA’s first manned spaceflight succeeded.
Lin Ran had no merit in it; it was all NASA’s established plan, but the outside world still credited it to him.
His bold internal speech, “There is no failure in my life,” was widely promoted in news reports.
Some newspapers also began accepting Time Magazine’s viewpoint, putting the title of NASA shadow director on Lin Ran’s head.
And at this moment, Lin Ran had already boarded the flight to London, preparing to start his London week tour.
Hair gets wet, inevitable; London always clings to raindrops.
As soon as Lin Ran got off the airplane, Governor Sir Alexander Grantham and former Hong Kong Inspector Thomas welcomed his arrival in London’s continuous fine rain.
“Professor Lin, welcome to London; England warmly welcomes your arrival.” Sir Alexander Grantham was very enthusiastic; after all, Lin Ran’s knighthood was the same as his, but his actual power was incomparable.
But what Lin Ran didn’t know was that London had not only honor, but also a scare prepared for him by the Soviet Union side.
