Chapter 469 - 460 Joyous News_1

Of course, the reason no flaws have been found yet is because there has been no practical operation. Although there is an abundance of data obtained from the Moon, it is still theoretical and does not guarantee its suitability.

Ye Changsi considered it for a while and then succinctly summarized:

"Professor Yang’s proposal mainly focuses on mature technology and high usage intensity; Professor Zhu’s 3D printing proposal is faster and has a higher degree of automation with fewer personnel required, but it involves slightly more technologies that await development.

But overall, you both need to conduct some sample testing first. The lunar highway is a project with significant investment and long construction periods, so early preparation must be meticulous."

Upon hearing this, the two anxious parties breathed a sigh of relief. Zhu Bingguang was the first to ask:

"Does that mean you can provide us with some Moon soil samples? If Skylight II can bring some back, we can quickly start testing. Not much, about 20 kilograms would be enough to complete several phases of testing... 15 kilograms would also suffice."

Yang Xinjun: "Our technical route also includes extracting some substances from adhesives, so we need a slightly larger amount of samples. Can we have 30 kilograms?"

"Of course, these payloads can be squeezed in."

Never mind tens of kilograms; once the XH40 is complete, it could bring back tons at a time, and then Moon soil will truly be as cheap as sand on Earth.

"But I hope you start researching verification machines that can be used in the lunar environment from now on. The mass... keep the entire system under 5 tons, and the power consumption below 20 kilowatts.

We can each provide funding and technical support ranging from 20 to 50 million, so if you can manufacture it in 3 to 4 months, would there be any issue?"

"..."

"..."

Looking at the five stunned individuals, Ye Changsi sized them up again, aged in their 20s to 50s, appearing very healthy, and then added:

"The base can provide you with research facilities. You can spare some time to train physically. None of you have any serious illnesses, right?"

The two factions seated on the reception couch took a long time to respond and shook their heads blankly.

"Very good. As you are now, as long as you can complete the manufacturing of the verification mechanism within the time I’ve mentioned, you will go see the Moon in person. After all, you need to be on the spot."

Zhu Bingguang: "President Ye, are you saying... we also go to the Moon?"

Ye Changsi: "Of course. Before December, we will carry out a massive launch to the lunar surface, and we will conduct a landing mission on the side. You and your machines could go there at that time. You don’t have to go, but I still recommend..."

"We’ll go, of course we’ll go!"

The individuals nodded vigorously as if pounding garlic. Just the chance to go to the construction site was worth fighting for to meet their targets.

After the five people left the office floating on air, Ye Changsi added their names to a WPS spreadsheet and counted, muttering:

"Two for base site inspection, five for road construction, four from the steel company, two from the Mining University... let’s add 20 spacesuits too."

These were the main team members of each selected proposal for the Moon construction project, including various aspects. Having them personally inspect the site environment was the fastest and most reliable method.

A larger number of people was not an issue; the XH40 could carry up to 12 passengers for landing at a time and launching to low Earth orbit was even simpler. The challenge to solve was the journey from low Earth orbit to the Moon.

The Storm spacecraft’s cargo bay needed to transport large loads and there was only one, so the base prepared a new specialized ferry:

In reality, it was a service module installed with a single A100 engine, coupled with the command module of the Dawn Spaceship, essentially a nuclear-powered version of the Dawn Spaceship.

This type of ferry would only fly between Tiangong and the U-Tu space stations. It could carry up to 9 passengers at a time, which was a bit cramped, but since the journey took less than 20 hours, it was bearable.

The transformed ferry weighed around 30 tons, and its manufacturing task was fairly easy. It already passed the approval of the Aerospace Development Committee, and they prepared to manufacture one manned version and another version for cargo. In time, this would allow long-term, cost-effective transportation of personnel and materials.

...

Moscow.

The plane carrying Miklin landed in the blizzard, as the pilot managed a near-perfect landing in the horrendous weather that rendered visibility almost non-existent.

But he had no time to praise the excellent crew; instead, he immediately took a car to the headquarters of the aerospace bureau, where Maximovich had been waiting.

"Alexander, Alexander, what are you doing!"

Miklin’s voice entered the building ahead of him, causing the greeted Maximovich to shamefully lower his head.

"I apologize, it was my work mishap."

He offered no defense, silently absorbing Miklin’s reproach:

"Suka, the Security Agency almost retrieved all the data for RD0120 for you, and most equipment is still intact; have you all forgotten the safety regulations!"

Just the day before yesterday, the Chemical Automation Design Bureau that Maximovich took over had conducted the first gas generator ignition test of the newly resumed production of RD0120, resulting in a terrible explosion.

It not only damaged the test stand but also caused severe injury to a person.

The "Hurricane" rocket, due to its special recovery method, had a relatively low dry mass to gross mass ratio, depending solely on the high specific impulse of the four RD0120 hydrogen-oxygen engines in its core stage to achieve the expected lift capacity—it was the core of the entire system.

But the inauspicious start of RD0120 added yet another layer of shadow to the already fraught "Hurricane".

"Miklin Yevgeny, Miklin Yevgeny," another designer from OKB154 came forward to explain:

"We need to update our equipment, can you imagine? We are still using the equipment left over from the Union, they have aged, and they are unreliable.

The design bureau has done its best, but the production and manufacturing process is nowhere near as meticulous as in the past, and the staff needs to be retrained."

It was a money issue again.

Miklin could certainly imagine how miserable the conditions must be at the long-neglected OKB154, and he no longer felt like pressing the matter.

He hadn’t come here just to berate Maximovich; he had heard that RKA was faltering again in their resolve towards "Hurricane" and had come specifically to gauge the situation.

Due to previous preliminary research, many parts of the "Zenith" booster rocket project were progressing very smoothly; the whole project had entered the right track, and it would be regrettable to give it up now.

This was Russia’s last hope; it must not be cut off!

The old men didn’t have to wait long before they saw the deputy director, Vasily, hurrying over.

"Gentlemen, you should have informed me in advance; please, come inside the house."

The group followed him into the office, where Miklin immediately spoke with a stern face:

"Storm can complete its flight tests next year; we will carry out a dual booster recovery test next month, and a small setback like this won’t affect anything."

"Miklin, I know what you’re worried about, it’s just rumors!"

Vasily laughed and shook his head, and seeing the other party’s disbelief, he explained further:

"RKA’s support for Storm will be unwavering. Indeed, there have been some developments related to it recently, but it’s not bad news:

Our ’Hurricane’ is going to receive investments from multiple Huayin Treaty Organization members!"

Miklin was at first delighted, then anxiously asked:

"Including China?"

"Certainly not from them, but five countries have decided to contribute the first payment of 300 million US dollars and will later launch an inflatable test module made by Italy.

The international section of the Lunar Scientific Investigation Station’s primary contractors are us and Italy, and now Hurricane is unlikely to be canceled. Congratulations to you all!"