Chapter 383 - 375 Unknown Flying Object_1

Of course, the benefits of a space power station cannot be measured in simple arithmetic, as it is a photovoltaic power station that generates almost no pollution.

A space power station with an installed capacity of 1.6 million megawatts could reduce the emissions of a coal power plant with twice the installed capacity while providing stable electricity supply irrespective of fluctuating consumption demands.

The provincial government, ecstatic upon receiving the report, hurriedly brought it to the base to inquire about its feasibility.

Xie Liaofu received them at the base. He believed that the theoretical power generation capacity of the space power station was feasible and that launching it was straightforward: merely the matter of four Type 3 rockets to transport 1,000 tons to low Earth orbit, then using ion thrusters to transfer it to geostationary orbit.

As for the cost, it was uncertain, but the launch price given by Xie Liaofu for the Type 3 rockets was 2 billion per launch, which meant rocket expenses alone would cost 10 billion for the entire construction task.

In other words, the construction expenses for this 160-megawatt space power station would be within 20 billion yuan, and the investment could be recouped within 15 years.

The provincial government strongly supported the project, and while they asked Lin Ju to first clear it with the Aerospace Development Committee, they also actively started preparations on their end.

billion yuan was a sum the province could afford.

Academician She, upon reviewing the space power station proposal, could not help but marvel at the boldness of the locality and the grand bluff by Chang’an Technology University; the power station seemed quite possible to him.

This 20 billion yuan would constitute a basic investment that would significantly boost the development of the photovoltaic industry and would also trigger a massive surge in the aerospace industry.

Even more impressive was the carbon emission savings; one power station could save 2.2 million tons, positioning it as an absolute global leader in the field of energy conservation and emission reduction.

Of course, this project also directly ensured that the nation’s share of on-orbit spacecraft quality reached an astonishing level, essentially socking America and kicking Europe.

Academician She, putting away the preposterous files one after another, cleared his throat:

"I can’t decide on this matter alone; it needs to be taken up for discussion at the higher levels. Can’t you all just stay put for a while?"

Lin Ju: "I’m afraid we can’t stay still even if we wanted to, NACA is about to get anxious."

"Again... I almost forgot, Storm is about to take action."

...

"Billy, hold the camera for me. This spacesuit is a bit tight on me."

Elon Musk handed the Canon camera over to the Asian-faced engineer and gently floated in front of the largest prototype window of the Dragon Spaceship, continually adjusting his pose.

Although he had been losing weight under his personal doctor’s instructions since last year, his barrel chest still made him feel constrained while moving in his spacesuit.

"Space is even more wonderful than I imagined. I really have to thank Lin; if it weren’t for him, I might not have come up here so soon... Hey, do you think I look better as Iron Man or Spider-Man?"

The Dragon Spaceship had been in space for six hours. Musk had already experienced activities like cycling in space, drinking water, eating desserts among others, yet he was still tirelessly enjoying his journey.

His orbit was a bit lower than that of the ISS, which temporarily couldn’t spare a docking port for the Dragon Spaceship to dock, but no matter, by July a Dragon Spaceship would carry out a crew transfer mission to the International Space Station, and then a Union Spaceship would move aside.

As for Dream Chaser? The third Dream Chaser in Nevada had already made a public appearance, and after over three months of investigation and thorough inspection, they should not be far from getting their flight license again.

Dream Chaser was truly the main competitor of the Dragon Spaceship because, after all, a space shuttle was more popular than a spaceship.

After taking a few photos, he and Billy began to tinker with a big fellow—the astronomical telescope.

But their observational target was not the starry sky; rather, it was the Forward Space Station orbiting at higher altitudes.

Musk was curious to see if the Forward Space Station would appear clearer when viewed from space through an astronomical telescope.

However, based on the orbit of the Forward Space Station, he couldn’t see it yet, but the "Hila" Space Station was crossing the horizon and would soon come into view.

With professional engineer Billy’s and ground-based parameter adjustments, it took them about fifteen minutes to finally capture the H-Shaped Hila Space Station in the lens.

It appeared about the same size as from earth observations but didn’t have the blur caused by atmospheric interference. Against the dark backdrop of space, it resembled an exquisite model, with only the subtle changes in light on its surface proving its real existence.

Another affluent individual eagerly approached to capture this precious scene until the Dragon Spaceship’s slight angular momentum caused it to drift beyond the window’s field of view.

They didn’t rush to correct the angle but waited another two hours until NACA indicated that the Forward Space Station was about to enter the observable area.

The Dragon Spaceship took ten minutes to adjust its attitude to fully face the Forward Space Station orbiting 500 kilometers away, and then they began to recalibrate the telescope. With experience from before, they quickly caught sight of it.

"Jesus!"

The angle of the telescope was perfect, and Shen Bili saw a well-formed front view, a radial structure supported by six radiating cabins, and both symmetrical living cabins distinguishable.

Although there was a difference of over a hundred kilometers in orbital altitude, this distance was nearly negligible relative to Earth’s 6,378 kilometers radius. The Dragon Spaceship had a very small relative speed difference from the Forward Space Station, so the image in the astronomical telescope was incredibly stable.

If observed from the ground, specialized tracking equipment would be necessary; otherwise, the space station, traveling at nearly 7.9 kilometers per second, would zip across the lens in a flash.

Musk impatiently crowded in front of the electronic eyepiece. Compared to the recent view of "Hila," the Forward Space Station looked significantly larger to the naked eye. Even though the majority of the circular segments were yet to be installed, its grandeur was already apparent.

He recalled the film "Interstellar" that was released a few years ago. It too featured a rotating space station, but Nolan admitted after the launch of the Forward Space Station that Eternity, featured in his film, was too small in diameter to generate such substantial gravity, and its angular speed was also too high.

But the scene before him felt as if he had stepped into that movie, witnessing Eternity embarking from Earth heading towards Saturn, the engines at the tail spurting out a pale pink flame... Wait a second!

Musk blinked, ensuring he wasn’t seeing things.

In the electronic eyepiece, where the Forward Space Station filled the screen, a faint pink light spot appeared and gradually moved away from the space station. Then the light spot began to slowly expand, evolving into a nebulous glow.

This sudden occurrence instantly caused a commotion among them, with Shen Bili, the quickest to react, finely adjusting the telescope to track the bright spot, not forgetting to activate the electronic eyepiece’s video recording feature.

"What is that, a UFO?!"

Another engineer asked quietly, as a wealthy bystander nodded emphatically.

"Damn, we’ve discovered evidence of the Chinese people colluding with aliens! Elon, we have to make contact with that spaceship, let them support the free world!"