I built an armada.

"How much investment will this require? Trillions?"

An elderly man had a furrowed brow.

"What about the payback period? What about the risks? Will it drag down other areas that urgently need it?"

"First of all, I do not deny that the investment in Nantianmen will be unprecedentedly huge."

"Before officially starting the Nantianmen project, we need to secure near-Earth orbit resources first."

"But this cannot be accomplished overnight; it can be done in stages."

In Su Dingping's plan, Nantianmen was not a space castle that could be built overnight.

It is divided into several different modules.

The Sky Gate is the core living and command module, while the module codenamed Sky City is the on-orbit manufacturing and maintenance platform.

Of course, there's also the Tiancang, which is a material and energy storage station.

The most important element, the sky rampart, is also indispensable; this is the defense and response module.

In addition, the entire Nantianmen (South Heaven Gate) also includes several independently operable and gradually expandable units.

"We can use ten years, or even longer, to send the core module into orbit using a new generation of heavy-lift rockets and space transportation systems."

"Moreover, our artificial intelligence technology is at the forefront of the world, and our automated robot technology is also constantly developing."

"I expect that within the next ten years, automated robot technology will be widely used."

"By using automated robotics technology, we can significantly reduce our reliance on and risks associated with astronauts."

"This will further reduce the overall cost of the project."

The least valuable thing in this world is people, and the most valuable thing is also people.

The loss of a soldier on the battlefield is not just the loss of a life, but also the loss of a country's investment of more than a decade in the education and training of that soldier.

This does not even include other factors such as compensation for the deceased.

The same principle applies to astronauts.

Every astronaut is selected from the best pilots.

A qualified pilot spends hundreds of hours each year on flight training alone.

The fuel consumption and aircraft wear and tear per hour of flight, if calculated in detail, would amount to around 10,000 yuan.

In other words, the annual cost of training a single pilot exceeds one million.

Therefore, in war, airplanes are merely consumables that can be mass-produced in factories, but if a pilot is lost, he is truly gone.

And every astronaut must be selected from the best of the best pilots.

It's not enough to just select them; astronauts also need to undergo training.

The training process itself is another major expense!

Since everyone's energy is limited, this means that each astronaut has different knowledge and directions.

If we can apply automated robotics technology in space and use automated robots for maintenance, construction, and other tasks, we can greatly reduce the need for astronauts.

How much does a robot cost? Especially in the context of industrialized mass production, no matter how high the precision or cost, it won't be more than the cost of training an astronaut.

The key is that you don't feel bad about losing a robot, and you don't have to worry about issues like paying compensation to the robot's family.

Even if it really breaks down, at worst it will just take some time to clean up the space debris.

Hearing Su Dingping say this, the expressions of the people present softened a bit.

But simply reducing costs is not enough.

If this is a bottomless pit of continuous investment without any returns, then the country will never agree to launch this project.

Su Dingping pulled up another set of data.

"As for the returns, the first priority is strategic security, the significance of which I don't need to elaborate on."

The strategic value of deploying a space fortress in geostationary orbit far surpasses that of a few aircraft carriers.

"More importantly, on-orbit manufacturing can produce high-purity materials and large optical devices that are difficult to synthesize on Earth."

"In addition, we can use microgravity and the space environment to foster revolutionary biomedical and new materials science!"

"Furthermore, the 'South Gate of Heaven' can serve as a relay station and springboard for deep space exploration, significantly reducing the exploration costs of Mars and even more distant planets."

"Not to mention, the cutting-edge technology it brings will drive the upgrading of countless industries such as materials, energy, artificial intelligence, and life sciences."

"In theory, this will be the largest technological innovation engine in human history, driven by national power!"

"Regarding the technical feasibility..."

Another elderly man asked the key question.

We can't just look at the benefits of this project; all the ideas built on the cloud are just empty talk.

If this is just a vanity project, or a project that is unlikely to make any significant technological breakthroughs in the next 20 or even 30 years, then there is absolutely no need to launch it now.

"There's absolutely no need to worry about the technology."

Su Dingping answered confidently.

"All my theories and ideas are based on our existing and upcoming breakthrough technologies."

"For example, the smart skin and thermal management technology used on the Blackbird can be developed for protection during extravehicular activities and energy harvesting."

"We are currently conducting in-depth research and development on artificial intelligence technology, which can lead to intelligent decision-making and cluster control technologies, which are at the core of managing massive orbital facilities."

"The graphene-derived materials we discovered during the development of stealth coatings offer a great deal of possibilities for structural materials in the extreme environment of space."

"In addition, we have a series of new material ideas under development, such as ceramic steel."

"The nuclear thermal propulsion and space solar power station, which are currently under preliminary research, will be the energy foundation for the long-term operation of the 'South Heaven Gate' in the future."

"Therefore, I believe that this project is not a pipe dream, but rather the most robust branch that has grown from the trunk of existing technology!"

Su Dingping paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

“We have to admit that, to date, the Eagle Tribe remains our most formidable competitor.”

"Even though many of their industries have stagnated or even regressed, they still have a large number of private space companies that are constantly increasing their investment."

"No one can predict what will happen in the future, and they will accelerate their scramble for space resources."

"If we are content with merely following in near-Earth orbit, then when their lunar base is built and asteroid mining begins, we will once again be locked onto Earth, losing strategic initiative for the next century!"

"Space is the true frontier of the future. Without it, all our achievements on Earth may be meaningless!" Su Dingping was not just worrying unnecessarily.

The future is so unpredictable that no one can say for sure what will happen.

Perhaps the Eagle Tribe might even perish halfway through their pursuit of space, but it's also possible they'll drag this wrecked ship onward, stumbling and faltering.

The Eagle Tribe has been making a fortune from war for over a hundred years through isolationism, instigating wars, and other means.

In addition, their wealth is still too great due to their continuous plundering of the world over the years.

No one can say for sure when the Eagle Tribe will fall.

Therefore, Su Dingping still needs to regard the Eagle Tribe as his biggest rival.

"The risk is too great."

An old man spoke slowly.

"Such a massive target is likely to become a target of criticism and could even trigger an unnecessary space arms race."

“Risks will always exist.” Su Dingping’s gaze was firm.

“There are risks in doing anything, but I think that if we are too timid, the risks will be even greater.”

“‘Nantianmen’ can be a peaceful scientific research platform, or it can be a shield to defend peace.”

"Its very existence is the greatest deterrent!"

"As for the arms race..."

Su Dingping shook his head slightly.

"We just need to follow our plan step by step, without paying attention to other people's opinions or trying to catch up. We should have our own pace!"

"If we stop because we are afraid of competition, we will fall into the trap that the other side has set for us. What we should do is to be self-centered."

"You could even say that we set the course and let them chase us."

Su Dingping finally pulled up a picture, which was an artistic conception of the core module of "Nantianmen".

Against the dark backdrop of the universe, the South Heavenly Gate shines like a bright star, hanging high in the sky.

"This is not just a simple technological project; it is a declaration of a nation's journey towards the stars and the sea, and the cornerstone for opening up a new home for future generations."

Sixty years ago, our ancestors completed the mission of their generation. They fought the wars that would last for the next hundred years, so that we would no longer have to face war.

"Now it's time for us to make a decision. We can complete the technological accumulation years or even decades in advance and prepare for future competition!"

A long silence fell over the entire venue.

Then came a murmur, with everyone exchanging glances and talking quietly.

It must be admitted that Su Dingping's plan was far too ambitious, involved too many people, and carried extremely high risks.

However, the opportunities it contains, Su Dingping's vision, and his sense of responsibility for the future of the nation are equally powerful and persuasive.

No one can resist this temptation.

Finally, an old man broke the silence:

"Comrade Su Dingping, your report and statement are very persuasive and show great courage."

“'South Heavenly Gate'... This is a good name. When the Heavenly Gate opens, everything is new.”

The old man first affirmed Su Dingping's idea, but then changed the subject.

"But this plan concerns the fate of the nation, so we must be extremely cautious. We need a more detailed feasibility study, a more thorough phased plan, and an assessment of the risks and responses at each step."

"In principle, the plan can start preliminary demonstration and key technology research, but the specific implementation steps and resource allocation still need further review."

This project is simply too massive. The total investment will be in the trillions, and it will require continuous and uninterrupted investment.

The initial investment may not be that much, but as the project progresses, the investment will increase.

Once a project of this caliber begins, it is destined to never stop.

The total annual income of the Longxia tribe is only a few trillion yuan. Suddenly investing so much in a space project definitely requires more planning and discussion.

“Throughout the research and development process, some of the technological byproducts can also be distributed to the private sector, driving more industries and development.”

"Therefore, theoretically speaking, this project is not simply a bottomless pit of investment. During the entire project process, it will also bring us many unexpected gains."

Many things that people take for granted in their daily lives actually come from the dissemination of aerospace technology.

The most typical example is diapers. You might not have guessed it, but diapers were originally developed to solve the physiological problems of astronauts.

For example, the dehydrated vegetable packet that people are most familiar with when eating instant noodles was originally created to provide astronauts with space food containing vegetables.

In addition, there are various other composite materials such as aluminum-magnesium alloys and titanium alloys, all of which are products of aerospace materials science.

In daily life, luggage and pressure cookers made of aluminum-magnesium alloys have become commonplace in households, while titanium alloys have extremely important applications in the medical field.

Therefore, in theory, as research and development deepens, many materials and technologies can gradually penetrate into the general public, driving the emergence of one new industry after another.

An old man nodded slightly, his gaze turning to Su Dingping with a deep intensity:
“We can give you three months to assemble a top-notch team of experts and come up with a phased, measurable, and detailed plan.”

"What we need is not a heavenly court drawn on paper, but a real 'Southern Heavenly Gate' that can go to heaven, can be used, and can protect the country's borders. Can we do that?"

Su Dingping straightened his back, slightly excited, and said resolutely, "I guarantee to complete the mission!"

He knew that the most difficult hurdle was over.

From this day forward, the "South Heavenly Gate" will no longer be just a blueprint in his mind, but will become the starting point for this ancient nation to embark on its journey into the vast starry sky!

The road ahead is long, but the stars are my witness!
……

The news of the "South Heaven Gate" project being approved was not made public.

This is still just a concept on paper for now, and it remains to be seen whether the plan should actually be officially launched.

Therefore, the Nantianmen Project was temporarily classified as top secret, known only to a very small inner circle.

But in a top-secret research and development center, as well as in dozens of related top research institutes, universities and military enterprises across the country, a silent battle has officially begun.

Numerous new technologies and projects were officially launched, and Su Dingping began extremely intensive preliminary preparations.

Soon, a comprehensive and easy-to-understand feasibility analysis was presented to the leaders.

Related discussions and meetings were held repeatedly.

At this moment, Su Dingping calmed down. (End of Chapter)