Chapter 407: Changhong No. 1

Just as international public opinion was surging, Li Mingyuan had already quietly returned to Jingcheng, throwing himself into an even more grandiose plan.

On the evening of the second day after the exhibition achieved huge success, Minister Zhang personally called to request that Li Mingyuan return to the capital immediately to discuss "a more important national strategic project."

On the night he returned to the capital, Li Mingyuan was taken directly to a secret underground conference room. On the large table in the center of the room, a huge map was spread out, marking a desert area in the northwestern part of Long Country.

"Chief Engineer Li," Minister Zhang said straight to the point, "The success of the trade fair has already proven your foresight. Now, the country has decided to launch the 'Dragon Nation Space Program' you proposed earlier, and we need your comprehensive planning."

Li Mingyuan felt a surge of excitement; he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. From the first day he transmigrated into this world, he knew that what truly changes history is not the Mushroom, not steel, and not even numerical control technology, but space—whoever conquers space first holds the dominant power of the future world.

"The project code name is 'Changkong No. 1'," Li Mingyuan quickly adjusted his thoughts, "This will be a complete aerospace system, including carrier rockets, satellite platforms, and ground support systems."

Dean He asked with concern: "How is the technical feasibility? How long is the research and development cycle?"

Li Mingyuan took a deep breath: "Based on our existing industrial foundation and technical reserves, I am confident that we can achieve the first launch within 18 months."

"18 months?" The Military Department representative gasped, "The Star-Spangled Country has been preparing for nearly ten years and is still in the experimental stage!"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "We have unique advantages. First, we don't need to start from scratch; we can learn from their failed experiences. Second, our goals are more clear and pragmatic. Most importantly, we possess what they do not—numerical control manufacturing technology and the ability to independently produce precision instruments."

"What is the specific plan?" Minister Zhang pressed.

Li Mingyuan walked to the whiteboard and quickly drew a rocket schematic: "'Changhong No. 1' carrier rocket, two-and-a-half-stage configuration, total height of about 30 meters, takeoff weight of about 80 tons, using liquid propellant, capable of sending a 200-kilogram payload into a 500-kilometer orbit."

He explained each key system of the rocket in detail—the first stage uses four 75-ton thrust engines, using liquid oxygen and kerosene as propellant; the second stage uses one 10-ton thrust engine, using a higher energy-ratio propellant combination; the half-stage consists of two solid boosters providing additional takeoff thrust.

"The core of the entire system is the guidance control system," Li Mingyuan emphasized specifically, "This is exactly where our numerical control technology can show its prowess. Traditional guidance systems rely on imported gyroscopes and precision mechanical components, but with numerical control machining capabilities, we can independently produce high-precision Inertial Navigation Systems."

The Military Department representative nodded: "What about the launch site?"

Li Mingyuan pointed to the area marked on the map: "The northwestern desert region, far from densely populated areas, with good safety, flat terrain, and a dry climate, suitable for year-round launch operations. More importantly, this is far from the reconnaissance range of the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo, which can ensure the absolute secrecy of the project."

"What about the satellite?" Dean He asked, "What mission will our first satellite complete?"

Li Mingyuan revealed a mysterious smile: "'Dongfang No. 1' satellite, weight about 170 kilograms, spherical structure, diameter about 1 meter, carrying four key pieces of equipment—a radio beacon system, solar panels, a simple earth observation camera, and a scientific experiment package."

He paused for a moment and added meaningfully: "On the surface, this is a scientific experiment satellite to show Long Country's space technology to the whole world; but in reality, it will pave the way for our subsequent military satellites and communication satellites. Once successful, we will quickly launch more functional satellites to establish a complete space network."

Minister Zhang was thoughtful: "Secrecy measures must be strengthened; the entire project must be carried out in an absolutely isolated environment. The outside world, including Beijixiong Guo and the Star-Spangled Country, must not obtain any information."

Li Mingyuan nodded in agreement: "Absolute secrecy is key. I suggest adopting a 'Cocoon-shaped' management model—the core team is completely isolated from the outside world, families are relocated centrally, all supplies are circulated internally, and even the project name uses a code. Peripheral support personnel only know the parts they are responsible for and do not know the overall plan."

"What is the timeline?" Minister Zhang asked the most critical question.

Li Mingyuan was confident: "Three stages—the first stage, complete the rocket and satellite design within 6 months while building the launch site; the second stage, complete rocket and satellite manufacturing and testing within 12 months; the third stage, achieve the first launch at 18 months. If everything goes smoothly, we will become the first country in the world to successfully send a satellite into orbit."

There was Silence in the conference room; everyone was digesting this grandiose and astonishing plan.

"How many resources will this require?" The Ministry of Finance representative finally spoke.

Li Mingyuan was prepared: "The initial investment is about 500 million Long Coins, equivalent to about 150 million Star-Spangled Coins. It seems huge, but compared to the Star-Spangled Country's Space Project, this is just a drop in the bucket. More importantly, the trade fair has already brought us orders exceeding 500 million Star-Spangled Coins, enough to support this plan without affecting national economic construction."

Minister Zhang finally nodded: "Plan approved. Chief Engineer Li, you will serve as the Chief Engineer of the 'Changkong No. 1' plan and have the full authority to allocate resources. Remember, this is the most important scientific and technological project in the history of Long Country; its success or failure concerns the fate of the nation."

Li Mingyuan nodded solemnly: "I will not let down the country's trust. 18 months from now, the flag of Long Country will flutter in space!"

After the meeting, Li Mingyuan stood alone in front of the window, looking at the starry night sky. In his previous life as an ordinary engineering student, he could at most watch the live broadcast of the Star-Spangled Country's rocket launches online; but in this world, he would create history with his own hands and let Long Country become the pioneer in conquering space.

"Time is running out," he whispered to himself, "The Star-Spangled Country's 'Sky Eye' plan has already accelerated, and Beijixiong Guo will not sit idly by. We must get ahead of them, we must!"

Early the next morning, a team composed of 500 top scientists and engineers quietly left the capital and headed to the northwestern desert region. The outside world only knew they were going for a "geological survey"; no one imagined that this team carried a mission capable of changing the world order—to plant the flag of Long Country into the vast space!

Just like that, while the world was focused on the trade shock brought by the Long Country trade fair, a plan with greater strategic significance had already been quietly launched. While the Star-Spangled Country was still annoyed by the loss of the Asia-Africa-Latin America market, and while Beijixiong Guo was still adjusting its strategic assessment of Long Country, the space dream of Long Country had already set sail.