Reborn in 2011, I am the chief designer of aerospace.

The secretary naturally understood the warning in her words.

"I understand what you mean, Commander. That space station is still under your full jurisdiction. If my tone was too presumptuous or offensive, I apologize, but the current situation is indeed urgent."

I must immediately cut off communication and go to inform Sun Liancheng. I will contact you again as soon as there is any progress.

The secretary glanced at the time: 5:20. Director Sun usually got up at 5:45, so the timing was perfect. He slid his thumb across the dial pad for the private direct dial number, dragging those high-ranking figures out of their warm beds—it was part of the job.

But no matter what, he would never admit that he actually enjoyed the job.

The secretary once predicted that aliens would be discovered by humans sooner or later, and now this prediction has become a reality. Near-Earth space is densely covered with civilian radiation telescopes and a military radiation monitoring satellite network jointly deployed by multiple countries.

When the Sky Survey Observatory detected the ignition signal of the interstellar spacecraft's engine, the weapon control array also simultaneously detected a weak but statistically significant enhancement in the 511 kiloelectron volt background radiation.

The near-real-time analysis by the secure computer system ruled out the possibility that the signal originated from Earth. Therefore, following a practice that has lasted for nearly a century, the data was handed over to the astronomers' computer system.

Some of the detection equipment was already in place, and its "Level 1 Alert" radiation monitoring system was directly connected to multiple fast-response telescopes, covering the entire electromagnetic spectrum from ultra-high-energy gamma rays to long-wave radio waves. In less than a minute, the newly discovered gamma-ray source was successfully identified and accurately located.

Within five days, the office phone rang non-stop, and every astronomer with even a slight knowledge of this type of astronomical phenomenon received a notification.

The telescope observed a phenomenon never before seen: the light source did not exhibit the usual time-brightness curve characteristics at any wavelength. It was neither a gamma-ray burst, nor a supernova, nor any known celestial object.

Just minutes later, the location of the new signal source was precisely determined, and the data was sufficient to confirm its trajectory and show a significant parallax phenomenon. Telescopes located in different regions of the Earth and pointing in different directions in the sky showed slight deviations in the apparent position of the celestial object relative to the background of stars when observing it.

This deviation is far beyond the range of experimental error. Although the signal source may come from an extraterrestrial galaxy, it is very close to Earth by astronomical standards. It not only looks very close to Mars, but it is actually very close.

What is even more remarkable is that people discovered its trajectory was changing and the signal source was accelerating in a very short time.

Twenty minutes after it was first detected, the object's signal finally disappeared. By then, at least five different astronomer research teams had calculated its trajectory through reverse engineering and no longer considered it a natural object, but rather accepted its status as a man-made object.

The trajectory indicates that the object originated from a specific location within the Martian rings.

The International Astronomical Union has established clear guidelines for handling the DETI extraterrestrial intelligence detection. All scholars who call themselves astronomers follow a consensus: unless all other possibilities are ruled out, they should never easily attribute it to an extraterrestrial civilization until the moment they actually "shake hands" with aliens.

However, all of this instantly became one of the most unpredictable secrets in the history of science.

Another hour later, the twelve astronomy departments of the twelve top universities finally reached a consensus: since its ascent had been observed, there must have been a signal from its previous descent, and data mining work was immediately launched.

The amount of data to be sifted is enormous; various astronomical survey telescopes and space monitoring telescopes generate several zettabytes of new images every day across the vast electromagnetic spectrum. It's like finding a needle in a haystack.

But the key is that once you know you are looking for a needle, the search becomes much easier, and you can directly eliminate all objects that are too long, too wide, too heavy, or not made of metal.

Astronomers have a general idea of ​​the shape of this "needle," and it is only a matter of time before they find it by tracing back through existing data.

As it turned out, the process was much faster than anyone had anticipated. News of the discovery spread like wildfire, quickly sparking a nationwide frenzy. The following morning, millions of amateur astronomers joined in carefully sifting through the massive amounts of data.

At 12:23 p.m. local time, a key clue was found in a pile of astronomical data from February 9.

The discussion about the DETI protocol came to an end, and major news blogs reported extensively on all the known details of this historic discovery. However, the dry truth could not satisfy the insatiable beast of the public, and the news channels were soon filled with various speculations and conjectures about the significance of the event.

Of course, most of it was ignorant nonsense, but that did not stop all sorts of weirdos from trying to seize their "fifteen minutes of fame," nor did it stop some "enthusiastic" reporters from providing them with a stage. After all, this is exactly the kind of exciting content that netizens all over the world want to hear.

The fervor was so high and widespread that some even suggested canceling a World Cup match to make way for it, but it turned out to be just talk.

At least, that was the case until the following morning.

Space observers have keenly noticed a sudden surge in activity surrounding the "Xihe" spacecraft, while construction of Country A's Mars probe has come to an abrupt halt. This seems to indicate that Country A has abandoned its Mars program, a decision that is not surprising given that they may face extraterrestrial life and its technology on Mars.

However, less than two weeks later, the construction of Country A's cargo spacecraft was restarted, but the way they were doing it was unexpected. According to the analysis of the acceleration and flight trajectory of Country A's cargo spacecraft and orbital tug, they were actually dismantling the spacecraft's hull structure.

All supplies related to Mars colonization, including hardware, landers and ground supplies, living quarters facilities, and logistical supplies sufficient to support a large colonization force, were abandoned in an orbital junkyard several kilometers away from the spacecraft.

Due to the significant increase in security control levels for space missions in both countries, obtaining reliable first-hand intelligence is no longer possible, but any observer with a high-powered telescope can clearly see this scene.

Country A has added extra payloads both inside and outside the spacecraft to store more working propellant for the nuclear thermal rocket engine. This means that the spacecraft's speed will be greatly increased, and the journey to Mars will be shortened accordingly, but the exact amount of the reduction is still unknown.

From the outside, the spacecraft has not changed much. Although it has added propellant tanks and looks more robust and solid, it is still essentially the same deep space cargo spacecraft. The focus of the modification is to pursue the ultimate speed rather than the cargo capacity.

Although the crew size has been reduced, the life support system has been extended. These changes are neither radical nor unreasonable.

The situation is quite different for the "Xihe" spacecraft. It is undergoing a major overhaul, with a truss structure hundreds of meters long being built near the space station.

The space station's main axis has been extended by 200 meters, with multiple large construction nodes distributed along the line. This space station was not originally designed for interstellar travel, so the consequences of these modifications are difficult to predict.

Aside from the core circle of high-ranking government officials, almost no one outside the government could fully understand the intricacies involved. All these major actions were carried out right under the public's nose, yet they were always shrouded in a suffocating silence.

The only thing that can convince everyone, frankly speaking, even a fool can see, is that East Country and Country A are engaged in a fierce race to Mars, with both sides going all out and fighting to the death to prevent the other from gaining the upper hand.

……

The giant screen in the Oval Office prominently displayed images of the spacecraft from Country A. Director Sun Liancheng, his scientific advisor, an unnamed entourage member, and his secretary were all intently watching the live broadcast.

The spacecraft, named "Sky Odyssey," is magnificent and estimated to weigh 10,000 tons. Its original name was "Mars Odyssey." In order to carry out this new mission, to reach the Martian rings before the East Asian astronauts and make contact with the celestial body that might encounter alien spacecraft, it was renamed "Sky Odyssey."

The Odyssey was originally designed as a cargo spacecraft to perform routine interplanetary transport missions to establish and maintain a Martian colony for Country A. It was capable of carrying a payload of nearly three thousand tons and delivering supplies to Mars within four months.

When Earth and Mars are in their optimal exploration window, it can complete a round trip every year and a half.

According to Country A's original plan, the spaceship would first launch to Mars, unload the first batch of colonists and supplies, and after confirming that everything was operating normally and making a short stay, it would return at a slower speed. It would then undergo six months of maintenance, refurbishment, and resupply in Earth orbit in preparation for the next mission.

Despite its dramatic and epoch-making historical significance, the Odyssey will gradually shed its former glory and become a "space truck" that quietly carries out important cargo transport missions between Earth and emerging colonies.

Despite its dramatic and epoch-making historical significance, the Odyssey will gradually shed its former glory and become a "space truck" that quietly carries out important cargo transport missions between Earth and emerging colonies.

But now, the plans have all changed.

The spacecraft's appearance remains unchanged, rugged and sturdy. According to R country's intelligence department, A country's engineers have removed all unnecessary weight and filled most of the cargo bays with water and liquid hydrogen tanks. These liquids will serve as additional propellant for the closed gas core nuclear reactor.

These reactors can heat the propellant into high-temperature plasmas of up to 9,000 degrees Celsius. With all ten reactors operating at full power, they can generate a terrifying thrust of over ten million Newtons.

Despite their incredible thrust, they are only about one-third the size of the manned lunar rocket launched nearly a century ago. Nevertheless, they remain the most powerful engines ever built in human spaceflight history.

Overall, the energy generated by the reactor and the amount of water it carries are sufficient to support the "Odyssey" to reach Mars. However, these resources are still insufficient for a rapid round trip. Therefore, Country A plans to use local resources and extract water from Mars' moons and rings to replenish its resources.

Just like the people in the Oval Office, 700 million viewers around the world were watching the live broadcast simultaneously on their screens. As the disguise of all the secret missions was completely torn off, the world's attention was focused on the final launch preparations for Country A's "Mars" mission.

A team member with a deep understanding of Country A's history once said that a country's great journey toward an unknown future must be deeply rooted in the soil of its traditional culture.

Never before has the Earth witnessed such a spectacular fireworks display from Country A. Cutting-edge high-energy explosives engineering and fireworks techniques were perfectly integrated. In near-Earth space, 1,000 kilometers above the ground, a giant "chrysanthemum" wreath with a diameter of three kilometers burst open, its gold, pink, and white colors intertwined, dazzling and spectacular.

People don't need to rely on live video streaming at all. As long as they are within the spacecraft's field of vision, everyone on Earth can clearly witness this grand display showcasing the history, culture, and strength of Country A by simply looking up.

Even at midnight, people under the cover of darkness could see with the naked eye as the spaceship streaked across the night sky, scattering colorful points of light and shimmering, bubble-like orbs of light.

With just a pair of ordinary binoculars, the intricate starbursts, fountains, and sculpted fireballs could be seen in their entirety, a visual feast that lasted for the time it would take for the spacecraft to orbit the Earth nine times.

Whenever the spacecraft entered the sunlight zone, the fireworks display would pause; once the spacecraft entered the Earth's shadow zone, the dazzling fireworks would be reignited. For eighteen hours, seven billion eyes of all mankind witnessed this unprecedented visual spectacle.

In Director Sun's office, his secretary was having a quiet, private discussion with other people.

"Ten minutes left," one of them said.

R country's intelligence agencies had made predictions about possible ignition times, and their judgments on the launch date were accurate to the last detail. They were also quite confident in their grasp of the technical details, but there were still blind spots in other aspects.

Until Country A actually launched the mission, Country R was unable to accurately calculate the exact time when Country A's spacecraft would arrive at Mars. Even the most conservative estimate had an error margin of about two years.

Regardless of their secret plans, Country A was confidently broadcasting the launch live globally from orbit. Although they knew that trying to keep it secret was futile, they usually waited until the launch was successful before maintaining that "polite silence."

However, this time, Country A deviated from its usual practice and deployed a fully equipped professional live broadcast team in orbit not far from the "Odyssey," allowing viewers around the world to watch the launch from the comfort of their homes.

The Odyssey was slowly gliding overhead, bathed in the warm afternoon sun, when the announcer's enthusiastic commentary on the broadcast ship was suddenly cut off by another voice. The subtitles at the bottom of the oval office display screen indicated that it was the voice of the Odyssey's commander.

He was reporting to the Houston command center: All final checks are complete, launch countdown begins, 10…9…8…