Chapter 423: Who Is Interfering With Us

In the Beijixiong Guo control center, the atmosphere of chaos and anxiety grew increasingly thick.

"Tried all possible parameter adjustments, the Image Transmission System still cannot work properly," the communications engineer reported, their voice carrying a clear sense of frustration.

Korolyov's expression was as gloomy as iron: "What is the status of the satellite's other systems?"

"Telemetry data is normal, attitude control is normal, power supply is sufficient... it is just the image system that has a problem."

Korolyov fell into deep thought: "This defies logic. If it were equipment failure, it would be impossible for it to only affect the image system while other systems remain intact. If it were Taiyang activity interference, it could not be so selective..."

Just then, an Intelligence Officer hurried over and whispered a few words into Korolyov's ear. Korolyov's expression instantly became even more severe.

"Confirmed news: Star-Spangled Country has successfully launched the 'Sentinel One' satellite," he announced to the team, his tone carrying a hint of bitterness.

The room was in an uproar, with scientists whispering and discussing among themselves.

"We are still the first!" someone said loudly, "'Dawn' entered orbit more than an hour before them!"

Korolyov raised a hand to signal for silence: "The problem is, if we cannot obtain effective images, what is the point of this 'first'?"

The room fell into Silence, and everyone realized the severity of the problem.

"Is it possible... that Star-Spangled Country did this?" a young engineer asked cautiously.

Korolyov shook his head: "Unlikely. First, their own satellite was just launched; second, interfering with a satellite requires high-power equipment and precise target positioning, and Star-Spangled Country does not have this capability... unless..."

He suddenly stopped, a flash of alertness in his eyes: "Unless there is a third party involved."

The Intelligence Officer understood immediately: "You mean... Long Country?"

Korolyov did not answer directly, but instead ordered: "Immediately activate the backup communication frequency, and at the same time analyze all possible sources of interference. I want to know who exactly is causing trouble!"

At the same time, the situation at the Star-Spangled Country control center was just as bad.

"All parameter adjustments are ineffective, the image transmission is still being severely interfered with," Leidemon reported, his forehead covered in beads of sweat.

Bulaide slammed the console in anger: "Damn it! This cannot be a simple equipment failure!"

The Intelligence Officer leaned into his ear: "Doctor, we have just confirmed that Beijixiong Guo's 'Dawn' satellite has successfully entered orbit nearly three hours ago, one step ahead of us."

Bulaide's face instantly turned livid: "What? They beat us to it? Does the leader know about this?"

"Not reported yet, we are currently confirming the status of Beijixiong Guo's satellite."

Bulaide took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "Is it possible that our satellite is being interfered with by Beijixiong Guo?"

The Intelligence Officer shook his head: "Unlikely. According to our intelligence, their satellite has also encountered similar problems and is likewise unable to transmit effective images back."

Bulaide frowned: "Both countries' satellites experiencing similar failures at the same time? This is too much of a coincidence..."

He suddenly thought of something, his expression becoming unusually serious: "Check all abnormal electromagnetic signals, especially directional interference targeting satellite communication frequencies. I suspect a third party is causing trouble."

"A third party?" Leidemon asked, puzzled, "Who has this capability?"

A flash of uncertainty crossed Bulaide's eyes: "Long Country? But that's impossible... they don't even have their own satellites..."

Just then, a young signal analyst exclaimed: "Doctor! We have detected a strange interference pattern! This is not natural interference, it is definitely man-made!"

Bulaide immediately leaned over to check the data, his face becoming increasingly ugly: "This is... directional electronic interference! Someone is deliberately sabotaging our satellite communications!"

The control center was in an uproar, with technicians and Military Representatives whispering and discussing among themselves.

"But who has this capability?" Leidemon asked again.

Bulaide did not answer, but instead ordered: "Immediately activate all backup communication systems and attempt to break through the interference! At the same time, I want a detailed analysis report on the interference source, as fast as possible!"

In Washington City, inside the Tuoyuanying Bangongshi, the leader had just learned that Beijixiong Guo had launched first, his face livid, almost ready to explode. And when he heard that the satellite might have been subjected to man-made interference, he was even more furious.

"Find the source of the interference!" he roared, "No matter who it is, I will make them pay the price!"

The Secretary of Defense wiped away cold sweat: "Yes, sir. We are investigating with all our might. But the problem is... currently no country admits to possessing this kind of interference capability."

The leader slammed the table: "Then investigate! Investigate to the ends of the earth to find the truth!"

At the Eastern Base, Li Mingyuan was monitoring the chaotic scenes of the two countries' control centers in real-time via satellite, a smile of Victory on his face.

"They are starting to suspect," he said softly, "but they will never imagine that the true 'space hegemon' has already been looking down on everything from above their heads."

"Should we stop the interference?" Wang Gang asked, "They have already started to suspect it is man-made interference."

In the Eastern Base command center, Li Mingyuan was monitoring the orbital data of the two countries' satellites with his team members, a light of careful deliberation flickering in his eyes.

"How is the interference effect?" Li Mingyuan asked, his voice calm but carrying a hint of imperceptible excitement.

"Proceeding exactly according to plan," Wang Gang reported, "The communication systems of both countries' satellites have been completely interfered with, and they cannot obtain any effective images. Currently, they are both trying various remedial measures, but with no effect."

Li Mingyuan nodded, paced to the large screen, and quietly stared at the real-time orbital data of the two enemy satellites. After a moment of Silence, he suddenly spoke: "It is time."

"Time?" Minister Zhang looked at him in confusion, "Time for what?"

"Time to make their satellites completely fail." Li Mingyuan turned to face the team, a flash of decisiveness in his eyes, "Interfering with communications is only the first step; now we are going to make their satellites truly 'disappear'."

The command center fell into Silence, and everyone was stunned by Li Mingyuan's proposal.

"Chief Engineer Li, this..." Professor Chen pushed up his glasses, his voice trembling slightly, "This is not our original plan. Interfering with communications is already enough to make their satellites lose their function."

Li Mingyuan, however, was confident: "Not enough. As long as the satellites are still in orbit, they have a chance to restore communication. More importantly, now that they have started to suspect it is man-made interference, they will trace it back to us sooner or later."

He walked to the main console and opened an encrypted folder: "I prepared a backup plan long ago. Our 'Storm-Space' system can not only interfere with communications, but also launch an attack on the satellites' attitude control systems."

"This... is it feasible?" Wang Gang asked in surprise.