Moscow, Kremlin. A special meeting was being held around the completion of the space elevator in the territorial waters of Xin in the Western Pacific.
"Just yesterday, Celestial Trade sold us the promised RM-320 rocket engine. Reverse engineering has been started, and within a year at the latest, the new rocket engine will replace the old space engine. We will use one year to surpass the distance the UA spent decades to leave us behind in the aerospace field. "
"Unfortunately, when Celestial Trade gave us this sword, it also pulled down the curtain on the entire stage. Whether it is economics, politics, culture, or military, everything tomorrow will be different from today. Because there is the unknown, and the unknown means the infinite. "
Oleg Ostapenko, Director of the Russian Space Agency, lowered his eyebrows and stated the facts in an artistic way. He looked at the members of the Federation Council and President Putin, who was sitting at the head of the table.
After pausing for a moment, Oleg continued.
"Guys, the old era is over."
After taking a deep breath, the Minister of Defense looked at Putin, who didn't say a word, and whispered.
"If the space elevator can send tons of materials to outer space, then our proud aerospace defense force will become a joke."
Putin tilted his head slightly.
"Fortunately, we have a good relationship with them?"
"That's true, but we can't pin all our hopes on good diplomatic relations," Roland said. The Minister of Defense lowered his voice and continued to whisper next to Putin, "The United Nations will discuss the safety and rational use of the space elevator. I very much agree with maintaining a good bilateral relationship with Xin, but only an alliance with equal strength is more in line with our interests, isn't it? Appropriately weaken them … "
Putin raised his hand and interrupted the Minister of Defense.
"If the United Nations in New York is destined to become history, then what's the point of us making things difficult for them at the United Nations?"
…
Far away in the Capitol building in Washington, a special hearing was also being held.
At the meeting, in front of the members of Congress, experts, and scholars from all walks of life, NASA Director Charles Bolden read the script in his hand.
"Although Congress has been trying to reduce our budget, we still use the limited budget to advance the space program step by step. Over the past few decades, they had achieved great results, so great that it was astounding. Not only have we set our sights on privatizing the space industry, but we've even turned this seemingly loss-making project into a profitable one. "
"Yes, we were in the lead before." Mr. Bolden paused and glanced meaningfully at the members of Congress in the hearing stand. "We once made the world believe that the Statue of Liberty was the future."
The Congressional Budget Committee members who had been aggressive during the hearings in order to cut NASA's budget were now like defeated roosters. They lowered their heads awkwardly and did not dare to look at the dark-skinned old man.
Secretary of State Kerry, who was sitting in the hearing chair, coughed lightly.
"This is a congressional hearing, not a federal court. What we should be discussing now is not who should be held accountable, but how to deal with it."
"I don't mean to hold you accountable, Mr. Kerry." Mr. Bolden glanced at Kerry. "But I must remind you that we shouldn't make the same mistake twice."
"What's your opinion?" Hilary, who was sitting in the hearing stand, asked.
"In order to expand NASA's budget, we must immediately start research on space elevator technology. Compared to China and Russia, we have a unique advantage in terms of global influence. We can replicate a space elevator in the Atlantic Ocean! "
"How much money do you need?" Hilary looked at Bolden and asked seriously. "I mean, from research and development to completion."
Bolden directly turned the manuscript to the last page, sniffed, and said quickly, "If we can get technical support from Future Group, the investment budget is about 20 billion to 40 billion. If we start from research and development, NASA needs 200 billion US Dollar, and construction can start before 2030 at the latest. "
The hearing committee members looked at each other, and the experts from all walks of life also looked quite gloomy. Hill and Kerry looked at each other and saw the obvious disappointment in each other's eyes at the same time.
Help? How could they get help from Future Group? If this technology was mastered by more than two companies, then of course they would come to sell their technology to the UA government in order to obtain a space elevator project order. However, there was only one company that mastered the space elevator technology. How could being a "contractor" be more profitable than monopolizing the space elevator?
As for the 200 billion US Dollar budget request, not to mention that Hilary wouldn't agree, the Budget Committee at the hearing would directly kill this project.
"200 billion? God, this money is enough for us to build two aircraft carrier battle groups! " Sure enough, before Hilary spoke, an opposition member of Congress said mockingly, "Unless Hua continues to borrow money from us, where will this money come from? Do you expect the taxpayers to foot the bill for this whimsical project? "
This was not a whimsical project. Someone had already secretly completed it some time ago.
Bolden just wanted to say this, but a neutral expert in the aerospace field spoke, "The UA also has a considerable number of private aerospace companies. We have used half a century to prove the enthusiasm and innovation of private enterprises. Instead of arguing over an unsolvable problem, why don't you ask for SpaceX's opinion? "
Bolden's expression was a bit ugly.
Ask for the opinion of SpaceX? What do you think SpaceX is? Magic Conch?
Long before the hearing began, he had already asked Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, about the feasibility of building their own space elevator. However, Elon Musk's answer made him feel deeply powerless.
According to the information released by Celestial Trade, if the UA wanted to build a similar space elevator, it must first start with the most basic elevator materials.
200 billion?
What was shown to the Budget Committee was always a conservative estimate.
After the hearing, Kerry and Hilary walked side by side in the direction of the garage. On the way, the two talked about the space elevator that had just been discussed to no avail.
"He doesn't care about what impact Xin's breakthrough in space technology will have on the UA. He only cares about NASA's budget."
"You're an expert on international issues, Mr. Kerry. I want to hear your opinion, "Hilary said expressionlessly.
Kerry lowered his voice and said in a serious tone.
"We can use the United Nations to pressure Xin! This is a big cake, and Russia and Hua shouldn't give up on a piece of the cake. As long as we make a slight concession when dividing the cake, they will agree to our proposal to jointly pressure Celestial Trade. Outer space belongs to all mankind, and the space elevator, a world-class project, should also be shared by all mankind … "
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