This star is going to the moon

Chapter 412 "Your arrival has brightened the sky for the Federation!"

American, white house.

The president's schedule is very full every day. A normal president can handle it, but old Deng is almost eighty years old and doesn't have the same energy as a normal president.

Therefore, his daily schedule is quite different from that of other presidents.

Old Deng uses a CPAP machine to treat his sleep apnea, so reporters often photograph the marks left by the CPAP machine belt on his face in the morning.

After getting up, he will first do morning exercises with a physical therapist. After all, he is almost eighty years old and broke his leg during last year's election, so the combination of the two has caused his gait to become increasingly stiff.

Doctors advised him to wear orthotic walking boots, but he reportedly refused to follow their orders, which is believed to have worsened his condition.

Therefore, exercise is necessary to combat aging and stiffness.

However, given his age, the therapist said that he would fall more frequently in the future and advised him to be more careful when walking.

Don't try to show off by running, jumping, or cycling to demonstrate that "I'm still young" or "I can do it."

That would only increase the chances of falling.

After leaving the gym, it's breakfast time, and then work begins. Old Deng usually arrives at the Oval Office at 10 a.m. to start his formal work.

Like all presidents, Deng would first receive a daily classified security briefing on threats to the nation.

The chief of staff and national security advisor, among other aides, spend all day in and out of the Oval Office.

Just like today.

"Your Excellency, although the news that the Chinese seized our lunar landing site is just fake news, public sentiment has been amplified by major media outlets. They have launched a petition on the White House website, and it already has more than 10 signatures, so we need to respond."

Old Deng glanced at last night's briefing, thought for a moment, and said, "Old Trump's space program is still to return to the moon in 2024, right?"

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Old Deng nodded: "Then let's arrange a meeting with the aerospace experts. I need to talk to them in detail. Now that this mission is in my hands, I'm going to complete it."

"The Federation will return to the moon during my term, just in time."

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Old Deng's meeting with the aerospace think tank was scheduled for 3 p.m. The think tank members were all in Peanuts, which is why they were able to arrive within half a day. They included aerospace professors from nearby schools, representatives from various aerospace companies based in Peanuts, and NASA officials.

These people gathered in the office, waiting for Old Deng to arrive.

Let me chat with myself first.

"Don't worry, I've been to this office many times. There are no listening devices here. Everyone can share their thoughts."

"As expected of the old professor, let me speak first, guys. This is a great opportunity to increase space funding. I hope we don't fight among ourselves, but instead attribute the main issues to the Chinese side."

"Yes, I think so too."

“Theoretically, that’s possible, but this guy is a veteran politician with decades of experience. He’s different from that rude real estate developer. We might not be able to convince him.”

"Then we should thank that real estate tycoon. He has given us a very good excuse, one that he will certainly like: to return to the moon in 2024."

"Yes, 2024 was during his term, and he certainly won't let this achievement go unrecorded."

"He entered politics when the federal government was carrying out the Apollo manned moon landing program, and he should clearly remember the president's heroic appearance at that time."

"That's no problem..."

Soon, someone outside informed them that the President was on his way, and they immediately stood up to wait. Old Dennis was more adept at interpersonal relationships than Old Trump, having been a politician for decades. So, after entering, he exchanged pleasantries with acquaintances and introduced himself to everyone before starting to discuss business.

“I have read the briefing. Although the story is false, the fact that one of our key alternative locations was occupied has indeed caused us losses.”

Old Deng looked at the NASA officials: "I've noticed that they have several unmanned lunar missions planned for the next few years, and they might even take over our pre-selected landing sites. Can we get there first and secure the best location?"

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

NASA officials stated definitively, "We have an unmanned probe coming up in July that can take up a favorable location."

"Moreover, our Commercial Lunar Payload Services program has several probes to launch, which can all be used to scout locations."

"Furthermore, we previously selected 13 locations, and now only one has been taken by Chinese people, leaving us with 12!"

Old Deng nodded upon hearing this.

With twelve against one, the advantage is clearly in my hands.

Then he turned to the Boeing representative and asked, "What about our return to the moon program? Will the SLS rocket be able to make its maiden flight next year?"

The Boeing representative immediately replied, "No problem, Your Excellency, the SLS rocket will definitely have its maiden flight next year!"

"What about the Orion spaceship?"

The Lockheed Martin representative replied sincerely, "The Orion spacecraft was completed a long time ago and has been waiting for the rocket."

The Boeing representative subtly widened his eyes upon hearing this.

What happened to the promise of no internal strife?!
The Lockheed Martin representative quietly shrugged.

Old Deng got the answer he wanted and said, "That was the first flight of the SLS rocket in 2002 and the Orion spacecraft's unmanned lunar orbit, followed by the second launch of the SLS in 2003, and Orion's lunar orbit with astronauts."

"In two or four years, we will repeat the mission of two or three years. Then, the spacecraft carrying the astronauts will dock with the lunar space station in lunar orbit. The astronauts will then enter the lunar lander through the lunar space station and land on the moon in the lunar lander."

"Is it this way?"

A NASA official said, "Yes, Your Excellency, that's the process for returning to the moon."

Old Deng nodded: "As long as the process is correct, that's good. But I saw in the briefing that the lunar module hasn't been selected yet. Will it delay the return to the moon mission by two or four years?"

“No, Your Excellency,” the NASA official assured, “because the selection process is in its final stages, and we will announce the results in April.”

At this point, the NASA official sat up straighter: "Actually, we basically have a final plan, but it's still in the final discussion stage, and in order to reflect the fairness of federal selection, I'm sorry I can't tell you now."

"That's good."

Old Deng waved his hand: "Don't tell me I wasn't the previous president."

“I am a rule-abiding citizen. As long as the Federation’s return to the moon program can be completed in two or four years, I will fully support your applications for various funding.”

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the conference room immediately became lively.

"You are truly a person who respects fairness!"

"With you here, the Federation's aerospace technology will develop very rapidly!"

"With your arrival, the sky over the Federation has cleared!"

(End of this chapter)