Chapter 183 - 179: Press Conference_1

Of course, a few colleges raising their admission scores is hardly big news in China.

The real big news is the question on the minds of the media and international aerospace community: what is New Yuan No. 3 for?

Theoretically, the capabilities of New Yuan-2 and New Yuan-2A were already fully sufficient for space station and Moon missions, and even for New Yuan’s publicly announced lunar landing plan, New Yuan No. 3 didn’t need to be rushed.

Was it constructed years in advance just to sit there and look pretty? Clearly, the international aerospace community didn’t buy that.

In response, New Yuan Aeronautics announced that it would hold a press conference the afternoon following the launch, with the bombshell announcement that President Lin Ju would personally attend to answer questions.

This piqued the interest of the media. After first sending humans into space last year, Lin Ju had kept a very low profile, unlike Ma Yilong, rarely appearing in public.

Of course, this fit the character of China’s big shots, who preferred to keep a low profile and quietly make big moves.

For a person like me to personally take questions at a press conference was unprecedented.

On the afternoon of June 25, in a temporary venue set up in Qiongzhou, Lin Ju took a deep breath and strode in, casting a glance at the media seated below.

CCAV, CNN, BBC, RT... Playboy? Ahem, either way, they were all quite famous publications, with reporters from various countries sitting obediently, all becoming restless upon seeing Lin Ju.

Used to the big scenes and having met countless high-ranking leaders, Lin Ju was not the least bit stage-frightened. He was dressed in gray casual pants and a shirt, looking quite ordinary.

However, having spent so much time in circles close to the core, even at under 25, he somehow exuded a sense of steadiness and authority.

After greeting everyone with a smile, Lin Ju was the first to speak:

"Many people are curious about what New Yuan Aeronautics is doing with such a massive rocket. Before answering that, I’d like to say a few words."

The media below all took out their notebooks and listened attentively. This was the motivational speech segment, a must-have for celebrities, worth taking notes for a potential book.

Lin Ju cleared his throat and began his motivational speaker mode:

"Over half a century ago, during the Cold War, the opposing sides embarked on a staggering space race. As humanity ventured towards the stars, two paths appeared before us:

First, represented by the Apollo program, was the planet colonization faction that aimed to send humans to other planets and envisioned the establishment of extraterrestrial colonies to develop planetary resources;

Second, was to colonize space itself; the space station is the product of this line of thinking. Zero gravity itself offers huge development value, with just the radiant energy from the Sun providing an astonishing amount of energy, as well as unexpected benefits in processing, agriculture, and various other fields.

And I believe, these two paths are not in conflict."

Lin Ju turned around and tapped a few times on the remote in his hand, illuminating the giant screen behind him that displayed an annular structure.

Facing the reporters and cameras, Lin Ju spread his arms wide:

"This is what I mentioned, a way that allows us to simultaneously tread both paths, and it’s also our true first step towards the stars—the ’March’ centrifugal low gravity space station!"

Among the audience were quite a few individuals related to the aerospace sector who had come to the conference with a certain understanding and instantly recognized what it was. The blinding white light of flashbulbs and the ’click’ sound of camera shutters went off continuously, while Lin Ju continued to introduce the parameters of the March Space Station without changing his expression.

"Rotational radius 60 meters... Dry mass 1540 tons... Circular module diameter 14 meters, square module width 11.8 meters... Usable space 32,000 cubic meters, maximum occupancy of 50 crew members for survival..."

Each number was spoken in a level tone by Lin Ju but made the reporters below gape in awe.

If this weren’t an official press conference by New Yuan Aeronautics, they might have thought they were on the set of Cameron’s latest sci-fi movie!

"... The Forward Space Station may also be equipped with a nuclear propulsion module in the future, including nuclear engines and nuclear reactors, for interstellar travel within the Solar System. Construction of this station will commence this year and is expected to be completed by no later than 2018. It will be involved in the Moon mission."

Lin Ju finished his speech and then signaled that it was time for questions.

Amongst the anticipated forest of raised arms, Lin Ju accurately pointed towards Playboy from America... next to CNN.

A middle-aged woman with a freckled face immediately stood up: "Mr. Lin, the ambitions of the Forward Space Station are very grand. May I ask if this is part of the space race between China and America?"

"The race has always been there; we are all speeding forward for the progress of humankind."

"Such a huge project, can your company financially support it?"

"Including the ’Forward’ Space Station, all plans have undergone meticulous financial scrutiny. Next question."

China Aerospace Daily, a bespectacled individual stood up, reading from the notes in his hand:

"What economic benefits does the March Space Station provide? How will it assist Xinyuan in its endeavors?"

Lin Ju: "We are a commercial company, but that does not mean all plans are intended to make profit. The March Space Station will broaden the paths for humanity’s progress in space, heralding the dawn of the solar system’s development. It’s the equivalent of an unassuming little ship in Zheng He’s treasure fleet, yet already capable of making the long voyage.

Next question."

Island Country’s Asahi News, a female reporter with protruding teeth asked in oddly accented but fluent Chinese:

"Xinyuan Company has employed several senior engineers from our country, including the former chief designer of the H3, Masashi Okada. Are they involved in these projects?"

Lin Ju: "First, I want to correct something. His name is now Xiao Okada. Every project at Xinyuan Company requires the participation of all members. Xiao Okada did not directly participate in the ’March’ project, but he is preparing for another project, which is no less than, and perhaps even exceeds, the Forward Space Station in importance."

"Won’t his background lead to any rejection within your company? What kind of work is he involved in?"

"Xiao Okada is one of the Naxi People, a citizen of China, we have no reason to reject him, and moreover, his work is excellent. He is one of the few technical executives and vice presidents in the company.

As for what he’s doing, I can’t disclose that at the moment, but I can say responsibly that it’s very important and will be revealed soon. Next question."

Perhaps made slightly dizzy by the flashing cameras, Lin Ju’s hand accurately pointed out the Playboy journalist who was only there to pad the numbers and was fiddling with their nails.

No sooner had Lin Ju pointed that direction did he realize something was amiss, that his subconscious had led him there, but it was too late to retract the gesture.

The slightly sleazy-looking Caucasian stood up like a spring, loudly asking:

"Mr. Lin, I heard that you collected Kardashian’s *adult* magazines in college, including our own publication. Is this information true?"

Lin Ju’s face reddened as he blurted out a decisive reply in English:

"Of course not!"