Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, leading the technology war

Chapter 292 News came, shocking the National Space Administration
The next day, in the imperial capital, at the China National Space Administration.

The routine morning meeting had just ended and Professor Zhao Ruijing walked out of the meeting room.

At this time, someone came over. It was Han Qingqing from the unit.

Han Qingqing is a top student who just graduated this year. Her alma mater is one of the Seven Sons, so it can be said that she is from a famous family.

Han Qingqing's abilities are quite good. After working for a short time, she has already adapted to the environment. Her performance is remarkable, even outstanding.

Han Qingqing called Zhao Ruijing and said, "Professor Zhao, someone is here and wants to talk to you."

Zhao Ruijing asked: "Who is coming?"

Han Qingqing replied: "It's Minister An, he's in the reception room."

"Oh, sure. I'll come right over after I drop my stuff off."

A moment later, Zhao Ruijing came to the reception room.

Minister An was drinking tea at this time. When he saw Zhao Ruijing come in, he quickly stood up and greeted him.

Minister An's name is An Yongsi. He is the vice minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology. He also came from the aerospace sector and is very knowledgeable about aerospace. Therefore, if the Ministry of Science and Technology has any docking work with the aerospace department, it is generally handed over to An Yongsi.

A moment later, Fan Zhongze, Liang Shaoyong and others also arrived.

Not many people were invited this time, just to convey and discuss some things, and some core personnel from the National Space Administration were invited.

Han Qingqing is the youngest and has the least experience, and is responsible for taking minutes of the meeting.

An Yongsi said: "Let's make a long story short. I came here to ask about the approval progress of private space launch sites."

Zhao Ruijing and Liang Shaoyong looked at each other and felt that this was quite sudden.

It seems that the Ministry of Science and Technology is also very concerned about the construction of the rocket launch site.

But this is normal, because China currently has only two rocket launch bases and rocket launch pads are very limited.

The country is supporting the development of private aerospace companies, and the demand for rocket launch sites will be very large and will continue to grow in the future.

The country is indeed planning to build a new commercial space launch site, but relying solely on state power is not enough, and social funds must be introduced to build the launch site.

This is what is called a private space launch site.

The person in charge of this work is Professor Zhao Ruijing.

At this time, Zhao Ruijing thought for a moment and said, "Now several companies have submitted construction plans and are going through the process."

An Yongsi nodded and said, "What do you think of the launch site construction plan submitted by SpaceX?"

SpaceX is an internationally renowned aerospace company, and the country pays close attention to cooperation with this company.

Zhao Ruijing said: "We have looked at the plan and found it to be quite feasible, but it lacks highlights and is a bit sloppy in details. It can only be said to be mediocre. We are in further contact with SpaceX and hope they can provide more construction details to avoid disputes later."

Ernst & Young expressed his understanding.

The space agency is doing the right thing. They cannot give the green light to everyone just because SpaceX is so famous and allow them in without any scrutiny.

The requirements for aerospace-related industries are very strict, and even the slightest deviation will not work. The plan of SpaceX must meet the standards in all aspects before it will be approved. As for preferential policies, we can discuss them later, but this is the bottom line.

An Yongsi said: "Professor Zhao, we still need to speed up the progress. The development progress of several private aerospace companies is faster than expected. It is estimated that in a few months, the first batch of rocket test flights will be launched. We can't let them schedule it for one or two years."

Zhao Ruijing smiled bitterly and said, "Indeed, we have also felt the pressure recently. Several private aerospace company executives have come to us and asked us to give up some of our schedules."

Liang Shaoyong also said: "Especially Starry Glory, their research and development is the fastest. I heard that their prototype is almost assembled, and now they are arguing about the launch schedule."

An Yongsi smiled: "So we must quickly determine the construction of one or two private launch sites, and strive to have them in use next year. Now is it only the SpaceX plan that has the greatest chance of being approved?"

Zhao Ruijing said: "That's not the case. A company's construction plan has been approved."

An Yongsi was stunned: "It has been approved? The space launch site? Which company?"

"It's called... Jiangshan. Yes, the company is called Jiangshan."

"……country?"

An Yongsi looked confused and bewildered.

"What country's company is this from? Is it from the Lighthouse Country? The name doesn't sound like it."

"It's from our country."

Zhao Ruijing laughed: "To be exact, it's a company in Hong Kong Island."

An Yongsi was stunned: "...The company in Hong Kong? Building a space launch site? Professor Zhao, you are kidding, right?"

Zhao Ruijing smiled bitterly and said, "Minister An, how can I joke in this situation? Look, I am very serious."

"This……"

An Yongsi looked at Zhao Ruijing. The other party was indeed very serious and did not seem to be joking at all. Moreover, they were discussing business and it was a very serious occasion.

How could a person like Zhao Ruijing joke at this time?

Zhao Ruijing must not be talking nonsense.

"But Professor Zhao, how could a company in Hong Kong have the ability to build a space launch site? It's impossible."

Zhao Ruijing replied: "To be honest, I thought so at first, but after seeing the design proposal submitted by this company some time ago, I completely changed my mind. The proposal is perfect and there is nothing wrong with it. It would be unreasonable not to approve it."

After hearing this, An Yongsi widened his eyes and looked at Liang Shaoyong involuntarily.

Liang Shaoyong immediately smiled and said, "What Professor Zhao said is not an exaggeration at all. I have also seen the proposal submitted by that company. It is very good, very good. Not only is the proposal complete, but it also has many highlights. It can even be seen that this company has great ambitions, and the launch site it designed has great room for upgrading in the future."

"So the construction plan for the space launch site you mentioned has been approved now?"

Zhao Ruijing nodded: "It has been approved some time ago."

An Yongsi pondered for a moment and asked, "Did the company say when the space launch site can be built? How many years will it take?"

Zhao Ruijing replied: "The construction period is two years, but they have not yet estimated when it can be completed. However, I talked to the person in charge of the company, a very young man, and he said that the launch site has already started construction."

"Construction has started? So soon?"

"Yes, since the construction period is set at two years, let's wait for a while and then contact them to ask about the progress."

An Yongsi said: "I wonder if the proposal for the space launch site they submitted is just a pie in the sky? Is it possible that they didn't even plan to build it according to the design drawings?"

"Well, it's not impossible, but the young man was quite sincere and the negotiation was very professional. I still tend to believe that their company can build the launch site project according to the design drawings. At least the difference won't be too big." An Yongsi still found it hard to believe that a company in Hong Kong Island could build a space launch site. It was simply not in line with common sense.

What is the background of the company? Is it a technology company? Does it have technical reserves? What products has it made in the past?
Ernst & Young has a series of questions and doesn't know which one to ask first.

Zhao Ruijing explained: "In fact, the company was introduced by the Semiconductor Association."

"Ah? Semiconductor Association? Professor Zhao, is that company related to the Semiconductor Association?"

"Yes, there should be some cooperative relationship. The company is a semiconductor company. According to the Semiconductor Association, its technical strength is very good and it is on the whitelist, so we did not do too much background investigation."

This time, An Yongsi finally began to take it seriously.

The Semiconductor Association is an organization with an official background, and they are very reliable in doing things.

If it is a company introduced by the Semiconductor Association, then the other party will indeed have certain technical reserves and its strength should be quite good.

But then again, even if there is a certain level of technical capability, it does not mean that the Hong Kong company will be able to build a space launch site.

An Yongsi came from the aerospace industry, so he certainly knows how difficult it is to build a space launch site.

"When they proposed the plan to build the launch site, did they make any special requests?"

Zhao Ruijing was stunned: "Request? Minister An, what kind of request?"

"For example, they ask the country to provide technology, personnel, or some instruments and equipment."

Zhao Ruijing understood that what An Yongsi meant was that some high-tech equipment was indeed difficult to produce by a single company.

For example, remote sensing and surveying and mapping-related equipment are too professional. No matter how strong a company’s technical capabilities are, it is impossible to be so comprehensive.

For example, when domestic private aerospace companies are developing rockets, they often need the cooperation of the Academy of Sciences and the aerospace department to provide manpower and technology, and some equipment and spare parts are even provided directly by the relevant departments.

The famous SpaceX looks very powerful on the surface, but in fact it is supported by the Nasa Space Agency of the Beacon Country.

Liang Shaoyong asked: "That's a problem, Lao Zhao, have they made such a request?"

Zhao Ruijing shook his head. "No, that guy was very confident and said that their skills were totally fine. Didn't he say that? Xiao Fan?"

Fan Zhongze nodded: "Yes, that's what he said. Their company has sufficient technical reserves to meet all design requirements."

An Yongsi said: "Is this reliable? Do they have such strong technical capabilities? They can even develop and manufacture these equipment themselves? Don't say they can buy them. They definitely can't buy suitable things like this."

Zhao Ruijing shook his head: "I don't know about that."

In fact, the National Space Administration does not really need to consider these things. As long as the construction plan is good enough and the company itself does not have any risk issues, then let the other party do it themselves. If they fail to do it, it does not mean that there is something wrong with the Space Administration.

But An Yongsi couldn't sit still: "I think we should take the initiative to ask them what difficulties they have and see if they need our cooperation. Of course, we can't agree to their requests without any bottom line. We still need to conduct some background checks on the company before making a decision."

Zhao Ruijing and Liang Shaoyong had no objection to this.

When it comes to precision core technologies, if you want to provide support, the other party must be a very reliable company. Otherwise, you must not let go, otherwise it will easily cause the leakage of high-tech equipment.

You know, when it comes to aerospace equipment, every piece is extremely sensitive.

An Yongsi added: "By the way, there is also the space launch site construction plan for SpaceX. We still need to communicate and decide as soon as possible. It would be best if at least one private space launch site can be put into operation within next year, and trial operation is also fine."

Just then, someone came in quietly, whispered something to Han Qingqing who was closest to the door, and then walked out.

Han Qingqing hesitated for a moment, then whispered a few words to Zhao Ruijing.

Zhao Ruijing was stunned for a moment: "Ah? Is this a call from Hong Kong Island?"

Han Qingqing nodded.

Zhao Ruijing said to An Yongsi: "Minister An, if you mention the devil, he will appear. There's a call from Hong Kong Island. I think they have something important to say."

An Yongsi said quickly: "Oh, then answer the phone quickly, Professor Zhao, go answer it and ask what's going on now."

Zhao Ruijing nodded, then stood up and left.

An Yongsi took a sip of water and said, "By the way, where does the Hong Kong company want to build a space launch site?"

Everyone turned their attention to Fan Zhongze again.

As mentioned earlier, Fan Zhongze is now Zhao Ruijing's assistant.

What Zhao Ruijing knows, theoretically Fan Zhongze should also know.

Fan Zhongze replied: "It's in the plan, it's in Hong Kong Island."

"Ah? Hong Kong Island? Hong Kong Island is not a very big place. Is it suitable for building a rocket launch site? I don't think it's possible."

"Minister An, it's not near the main city of Hong Kong Island, but on an outlying island."

An Yongsi became even more confused. "Outlying islands? Outlying islands near Hong Kong Island? This is too weird. It's not impossible to build a launch site on an outlying island, but the cost is too high."

Ernst & Young increasingly felt that this company in Hong Kong was not very reliable. However, the other party was introduced by the Semiconductor Association, which showed that they had some technical background and would not talk nonsense, at least they were not scammers.

Soon, Zhao Ruijing came back. His face looked uncertain and he looked dazed.

An Yongsi couldn't help asking, "Professor Zhao, what happened? What did they say over there? Can't they complete the construction of the launch site?"

Zhao Ruijing came back to his senses and replied, "Minister An, you may not believe what I said. The person in charge of the company in Hong Kong called and said that the launch site..."

"What happened at the launch site? Professor Zhao, stop keeping us in suspense and tell us."

An Yongsi was a little anxious.

"He said the launch site is already built."

"Ah? What? The launch site is ready? Are you talking about the aerospace launch site?"

"Yes, that's what he said. It's been built, and he asked us to send someone over to do an on-site inspection."

"This……"

Everyone present was stunned.

How come it was suddenly completed not long after the company submitted its plan for the launch site?

It’s too outrageous!

(End of this chapter)