Chapter 413: Unexpected Discovery

Li Mingyuan nodded: "That is entirely possible. In fact, I have already designed a simplified version that can be quickly put into mass production. Although the performance will be somewhat reduced, it is sufficient to handle most scenarios."

Minister Zhang took a deep breath: "Then, I suggest we immediately initiate preparations for mass production. At the same time, you continue to refine the prototype, striving to achieve testing of the airborne version within half a year."

Just as everyone was discussing the mass production plan, a young technician hurried over: "Chief Engineer Li, we discovered an unexpected find during the testing process!"

Everyone's gaze turned toward this technician.

"Tell me about it." Li Mingyuan signaled for him to continue.

"When the 'Storm' system was operating, our monitoring equipment accidentally captured some strange signals—coming from a military base near the border of Beijixiong Guo! These signals were originally impossible to receive because the distance was too great, but it seems certain reflective characteristics of the 'Storm' system inadvertently amplified these signals."

The technician turned on a recorder and played the content just recorded. Although there was a lot of static, one could indeed hear intermittent military communications from Beijixiong Guo!

Colonel Lin gasped: "This... does this mean we can use the 'Storm' system to conduct long-range signal eavesdropping?"

Li Mingyuan's eyes lit up; this was an effect he had not anticipated: "It seems 'Storm' is not just an interference system, but can also serve as a signal intelligence collection platform. This requires further research."

That evening, Li Mingyuan was summoned to a secret meeting once again. In the conference room, there were only Minister Zhang and several high-ranking Military generals; the atmosphere was heavy and tense.

"Chief Engineer Li," a general wearing simple attire but possessing a powerful aura got straight to the point, "based on your two technological breakthroughs, the higher-ups have decided to accelerate the advancement of a special plan."

He signaled for an assistant to unfold a map, on which multiple military bases of Beijixiong Guo and Star-Spangled Country were marked.

"We need to know their true military deployment situation, especially the locations of their Missile launch facilities." The general looked straight into Li Mingyuan's eyes, "Can your Synthetic Aperture Radar and Electronic Interference System be used in combination to complete this mission?"

Li Mingyuan immediately understood the other party's intent—they wanted to conduct strategic reconnaissance to obtain intelligence on the military deployments of the two great powers.

"Theoretically feasible," Li Mingyuan replied while thinking, "we can install an improved version of the Synthetic Aperture Radar on a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, while simultaneously equipping a simplified version of the 'Storm' system. The radar will be responsible for acquiring ground images, while the 'Storm' system will interfere with enemy air defense Radar, allowing our aircraft to fly safely."

The general nodded: "How long will it take to prepare?"

"Three weeks," Li Mingyuan answered decisively, "I need to integrate and optimize the two systems, especially regarding weight control and power consumption balance."

"In three weeks, the first strategic reconnaissance aircraft will execute a test flight mission." The general made the final decision, "The targets are several suspicious facilities on the western border of Beijixiong Guo."

After leaving the conference room, Li Mingyuan let out a long sigh. He knew how arduous the task he had just promised was—integrating two complex systems into one aircraft within three weeks was an almost impossible task. But he had no other choice; national security was above all else.

Returning to the laboratory, Li Mingyuan immediately summoned the core team and began a new round of research and development sprints.

"The Synthetic Aperture Radar needs a 50% weight reduction and a 30% reduction in power consumption!"

"'Storm' system must be simplified into an airborne version, retaining the Hexin functions!"

"The electromagnetic compatibility of the two systems must be resolved; they cannot interfere with each other!"

The team members gasped when they heard these nearly impossible requirements, but seeing Li Mingyuan's firm gaze, no one raised any objections.

Over the next three weeks, the entire team barely rested. Li Mingyuan led the work, often working through the night, sometimes even falling asleep on the laboratory bench. He knew that the success or failure of this mission might directly affect the strategic position of Long Country in the upcoming space race.

Just as Li Mingyuan was leading the team in the busy work of integrating the Synthetic Aperture Radar and the "Storm" system, another area of the "Eastern Base" was also in the midst of intense final preparations—the "Changkong No. 1" rocket was about to complete docking with the "Dongfang No. 1" satellite, preparing for launch.

"First stage of the rocket test complete, all parameters normal!"

"Second stage Engine performance stable, thrust error less than 2%!"

"Separation system test successful, separation sequence perfect!"

Reports from the heads of each system kept coming in, and each one made Li Mingyuan more convinced: their rocket was ready.

But Li Mingyuan knew the real challenge was still to come. He took time away from the radar laboratory and went to the Final Assembly Workshop to personally inspect the final docking work.

The "Dongfang No. 1" satellite lay quietly in the cleanroom, its silver-gray spherical shell shimmering with a metallic luster. This small satellite, weighing only 170 kilograms, carried the first step of Long Country's space dream.

"So beautiful." Li Mingyuan couldn't help but exclaim. Even by the high-tech standards he had seen in his previous life, this satellite, which fused all his heart's blood, was astonishing enough.

The satellite's chief designer, Wang Jiaoshou, walked over, his eyes full of pride: "Chief Engineer Li, the tests for all satellite systems are perfect. The radio beacon, solar cells, and scientific experiment package have all met the design requirements."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "What about the whole-satellite test?"

"Just finished, all systems are working together normally, and the signal strength meets expectations." Wang Jiaoshou answered confidently, "We even simulated extreme temperature changes in an orbital environment, and the satellite remained stable."

Li Mingyuan patted Wang Jiaoshou on the shoulder with satisfaction: "You've worked hard, Lao Wang. This little guy is going to the sky soon, becoming Long Country's first artificial satellite."

"Speaking of which," Wang Jiaoshou lowered his voice, "everyone is very curious, why did we make our first satellite spherical? The design plans of Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo are both cylindrical or polyhedral structures."

Li Mingyuan smiled mysteriously: "Because a sphere is the most perfect geometric structure; it is symmetrical from every angle. More importantly, a spherical structure has more uniform thermal balance in the space environment and will not cause drastic temperature fluctuations due to changes in the area facing the Taiyang."

This was, of course, only part of the reason. What Li Mingyuan did not say was that the spherical design had another important purpose—to ensure the satellite could be easily observed from the ground while in orbit. As Long Country's first satellite, its political and propaganda significance even exceeded its scientific value. A shining silver ball streaking across the night sky would become the most intuitive proof of Long Country's technological strength.

"The docking of the rocket and satellite will take place in three days." Li Mingyuan announced, "Then comes the overall test; if everything is normal, we will conduct the first launch attempt within two weeks."