Chapter 424 - 415 Advice or Provocation_1

"Mr. Lin, how is the progress of Xinyuan Company’s manned lunar exploration project?"

The black-haired Latina journalist, Susanna, was very excited, as this was Lin Ju’s first solo interview with foreign media.

As a CBS reporter, she, like her colleagues, had attempted to invite this mysterious legendary figure for an interview as soon as they arrived in China, prepared to be rejected by the officials.

However, to her surprise, just after the Aerospace Development Committee’s press conference ended that morning, Lin Ju’s assistant replied that he could accept the interview, but only had time that day.

Susanna immediately took her crew and equipment, excitedly entering the apartment in the Capital allocated to Lin Ju by the Aerospace Development Committee.

The latter glanced at Susanna, who was wearing a V-neck gown, and inwardly sighed at the innate advantages of the Latin race. She keenly noticed his gaze, even provocatively swaying her shoulders slightly.

"Ahem, Xinyuan has always had its own lunar exploration plan, which is not only explicit but also very grand. You should know that we completed a manned lunar orbit mission just one month ago."

Susanna, "I know, that was an atomic-powered spaceship. You surpassed the Union, becoming the world’s first. May I ask if your technology was obtained from your country’s military?"

"Xinyuan always insists on independent research and development, this is our unique engine technology, but that does not rule out cooperation with others.

Let’s get to the main point, Xinyuan will carry out more than one lunar landing mission within this year."

Lin Ju was reminded of his own mission, which certainly wasn’t to while away time with a beautiful journalist.

Susanna, "So, you’re saying that you will conduct at least two lunar missions within the next five months? How many astronauts will you be sending? Are there any foreign astronauts?"

Lin Ju, "The number of astronauts depends on mission requirements, but indeed there will be foreign astronauts. Specific details are not convenient to disclose."

At this point, Susanna had already become excited. Within just a few minutes, she had obtained enough material for a front-page story. It seems her luck... no, her figure was really good.

"The moon landing is a great and challenging endeavor, why does the newly established Xinyuan have the confidence to carry out a vast lunar program?"

Lin Ju, "Just as the development of human society allows more people to enjoy the dividends of high technology, the development speed of private aerospace cannot be compared with many years ago. Many rules of the past have been broken by technological progress. But you’re right, space is still a risky venture, and ignoring such risks for certain purposes could lead to significant losses for aerospace."

As a high-achieving student who passed the Level-6 Chinese proficiency exam, Susanna sensed that Lin Ju seemed to have more to say.

"Actually, what I want to say is that I’ve noticed Artemis II announced its launch date less than a day before lift-off, which seems quite hasty to me. Such a rushed launch action carries much greater risk than a regular mission.

Especially for manned missions, caution and unease are necessary."

Susanna: Shocked.

Lin Ju’s sudden and direct criticism of Artemis II was beyond her expectations. Such words were almost impossible to come from someone like him, yet he had said them.

Lin Ju continued,

"Why announce the launch is in 20 hours? I think the whole world can see the competitive nature of it, but is it necessary to take such risks when capability is limited?

Landing on the moon is a peaceful endeavor. We are willing to share it with the whole world."

Was this advice, or perhaps... a provocation? Contempt?

Accustomed to analyzing intentions from the ambiguous words of politicians, Susanna had never expected anyone to speak so bluntly, and for a moment, she forgot to follow up with the professionalism of a journalist.

When the interview ended abruptly, she realized she had missed out on a great opportunity, but there was no time for regret as she hurriedly sent the content back to her homeland. It was explosive news.

A few hours later, news appeared worldwide and gained high heat:

"XAP President Lin Ju: Advancing the Artemis II plan is dangerous and idiotic; America’s loss in the moon race is inevitable."

...

Capital Airport.

The Big Shot stood in front of Gate C810, pointing at Lin Ju and wanting to say something, but he couldn’t find the words and had to board the plane.

It wasn’t until C810 jetted up to an altitude of 25,000 kilometers with afterburners that he managed to organize his words and poke Lin Ju in front of him:

"I told you to hint that there might be problems with Artemis II, not to provoke the Yankees into stubbornly seeing it through to the end."

"Ah? I don’t quite understand, but the meaning is roughly the same."

Lin Ju tried to laugh it off, but he couldn’t fool the old man.

"If you say 1, the media will report it as 5, and the public will understand it as 10. Look at how the news has been spread now. Everyone will think you’re too proud and look down on NACA, which is not a good influence."

"It’s the truth, though."

"That ... well, thankfully you weren’t interviewed in your capacity as a committee member, so just say a few words."

The Big Shot eventually gave up the struggle. The original idea was to let someone influential but outside the system say something. Although the goal had been achieved, something didn’t feel quite right.

Academician She had gone to Qiongzhou in advance to prepare the ground, while they stayed with the top leader in Beijing for half a day before taking the plane to Qiongzhou that afternoon.

The mishap with Artemis II was unexpected, but if closely considered, it didn’t have much impact.

After all, three hours’ time difference, when put in the context of a three-day journey and 380,000 kilometers away, is almost negligible. Both spacecraft would probably arrive at the same time, and the actual difference in landing time would depend on the situation.

But Lin Ju had strongly demanded that the launch time of Dawn III be brought forward and had convinced the higher-ups with a ton of reasons, emphasizing how significant being the first to launch was, making the leadership somewhat moved.

After finding out that a few hours would not affect the launch preparation, the Permanent Committee agreed.

— Perhaps to retaliate against Artemis II’s last-minute launch time disclosure, stating "Under prepared conditions, the launch time can be as early as 7 am, but if delayed due to other reasons, safety should be prioritized and launching should be halted."

In any case, human life is first, ranking second.

After all, humans had been to the moon over forty years ago; there wasn’t so much of a psychological burden.

The Big Shot understood the impetuousness of youth in Lin Ju, yet the opposition was not strong, as it was the Yankees who had acted improperly in the first place.

But even more absolute was Lin Ju’s proposal about the timing of the change. The Aerospace Development Committee had indeed stated a few days ago that the launch was at 11 am, and changing it again seemed a bit unsportsmanlike.

If the Meteorological Bureau determined that there would be rain after 10 am, which was unfavorable for launching and thus forced to bring it forward, wouldn’t that be reasonable?