Technological power starts with upgrading lenses.

Chapter 448 Let Them See It

As time passed, the three-month test launch date set by Kang Chi was getting closer.

Whether it is Pangu Base, Datang Heavy Industry, or the newly established Daming Deep Space Industrial Park, everyone is following the tightened gears and completing every task assigned step by step.

Of course, whether it is building a space shuttle or a rocket, it is an extremely large and complex project. No matter how awesome Kang Chi is, it is impossible to complete it relying solely on its own companies. There are hundreds of partner companies involved in the entire project.

Some of them are responsible for the design and manufacture of a certain module, some are responsible for writing control programs, and some are responsible for providing key materials. The number of people directly or indirectly involved in this manufacturing project is at least over 100,000.

For example, China Airlines Composite Materials Company, which had obtained the T1200 carbon fiber composite technology license from Kangchi, almost ran out of steam on its production line after receiving a huge order from Daming Deep Space and the Elders' Council personally ordered them to give priority to supply.

Standing in the Daming Deep Space Assembly Center, Yan Hui felt both excited and nervous as he watched the engineers, led by Kang Chi, installing the final outer shell on the huge booster for the fifth time.

The excitement was naturally because they actually created this high-tech booster in less than three months.

The reason for the anxiety was that this was the fifth debugging and installation that Kang Chi and his team had carried out.
And according to the plan, the test launch will be carried out in a few days, but they haven't even ignited the most important engine...

"So urgent... Is this really okay?"

"Don't worry." Kang Chi, who personally completed the final assembly work with the engineers, gave him a bright smile, "It's 100% done this time!"

Although Kang Chi, who finally saw the system pop-up window, looked confident and relaxed, which made everyone feel relieved, no matter how they looked at it, this test launch seemed very hasty and risky. Even if they trusted Kang Chi, they could not completely dispel their concerns...

Especially after thinking about the cost of this thing, it became even more difficult for Yan Hui to remain calm.

It is said that the United States spent about 30 billion US dollars to build the Endeavour space shuttle, which is about 210 billion RMB.

Although the thing in front of them only cost 120 billion RMB, it is just a booster!
Two boosters like this are required on the Atlas. The cost of just two boosters is higher than that of the Endeavour.
If you add the more expensive orbiter...

My scalp tingles just thinking about it.

Moreover, this cost budget is almost the actual manufacturing cost, and does not include Kangchi's "R&D cost".
Because Kangchi's R&D costs are too difficult to quantify,

Maybe what he can do in a few minutes, others' R&D team of hundreds of people may spend decades to complete...

Anyway, no matter how you count it, this booster in front of you is the most expensive thing Yan Hui has ever participated in making since he was born.
From the engine fuel tank to every wire and screw, the materials and craftsmanship used are all the best and most expensive in China.

It is no exaggeration to say that the completed Skycraft will definitely be a product that represents China's current highest industrial level, without a doubt. Even the lithography machine, fusion reactor and even the nuclear-powered drone carrier that is about to be launched are not as technologically comprehensive as it.

If this booster test fails...

The loss is not just 120 billion. It is also a huge blow to the Sky Project and represents a huge waste of precious human and material resources.

"Are you sure you don't want to check it again?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure that through these five inspections, all problems have been checked out."

"But……"

"No buts." Kang Chi interrupted Yan Hui directly, and then waved to Chen Hai who was not far away, "Brother Hai, I've taken care of it here, I'll trouble you guys next."

Chen Hai immediately nodded and said, "I guarantee that the mission will be completed!" After that, he took out the walkie-talkie: "Attention all departments, the transportation can begin!"

At the same time, at the Boca Chica Starship Base in Texas, Country M.

This is one of SpaceX's five major launch sites and also SpaceX's first private launch site. All facilities in the entire base are tailor-made for Falcon and Starship. The launch pad can be used for both launch and booster recovery.

At this time, a familiar huge rocket was standing quietly on the launch pad by the sea. The silvery-white metal shell reflected the afterglow of the setting sun, and the engineers on it were making preparations for launch.

However, these people's expressions were relatively relaxed, without any signs of tension.

After all, SpaceX is world-famous for its high-frequency launches.

In 22, SpaceX only launched 61 times a year, an average of once every 6 days. By 24, this number had been shortened to 2.8.

Now, a SpaceX rocket takes off almost every day, but the Boca Chica Starship Base is only responsible for about one-third of them, while the vast majority are Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy rockets and Starship launch experiments, which account for less than 10% and 1% respectively.

Even so, the launch frequency of once every three days has made the engineers here accustomed to rocket launches, just like eating and drinking.

However, this is just the mentality of ordinary engineers. For the core engineers who are actually responsible for this launch mission, this launch mission is actually not simple.
Because what was launched this time was a real starship (BFR),
However, what was carried on board was not a Mars lander, but a large deep space probe from daily life.

Read more latest popular novels at 6.9*shuba!

"…In March of this year, the second unmanned BFR we launched to Mars encountered some problems when landing on Mars, causing the spacecraft to crash unexpectedly…"

Musk stood at the foot of the huge starship, looked around at the audience and reporters, and continued:

"Although it is indeed a pity, in the past four months we have readjusted the power system of the lander to the Martian environment to ensure that we can successfully build the first pilot base on Mars..."

"It's just that we changed our plans temporarily. This time our destination is not Mars, but the Mystery Planet. I have to say that the Chinese gave it a good name."

"The Mysterious Planet is just like its name. It puzzles and surprises countless scientists. Even six-year-old children are curious about this mysterious asteroid. I just don't know why the China Space Administration is reluctant to disclose the true situation of the Mysterious Planet..."

"I personally think this is even more regrettable than the last accidental crash of BFR, because it not only means that humans need to spend more resources to explore the mysterious planet, but it is also a symbol of the opacity and even confrontation of scientific research!"

The audience immediately booed, obviously dissatisfied with the "selfish" behavior of the China Space Agency.

"But it's not a big deal. Since they won't tell us, let's go and see for ourselves!"

"Yes, let's go and see for ourselves!"

"Let them see what a starship is and what a true space power is!"

"Starship! Starship! Starship!"

"..."

Before Musk finished speaking, the audience burst into applause, and the live broadcast room was filled with criticism of the China National Space Administration...

(End of this chapter)