"Disappeared?"
Jinling launch site.
When Lu Zhou heard the report about the seismic structure, he was so surprised that he almost stood up from behind his desk.
Director Chang Hezhi nodded with a strange expression on his face when he saw the surprised expression on Lu Zhou's face.
"That's right … According to the updated mission log of our Mars scientific research station, our scientific researchers sent a rover to the target area. However, when they arrived at the fracture structure, they found nothing there.
"It's like … it disappeared overnight."
A fracture structure more than ten meters deep disappeared overnight?
Lu Zhou had never heard of such an incredible thing.
"Was there a sandstorm that night?"
"Sandstorms occur on Mars all the time, but even if it is a sandstorm, it is impossible to fill a fault structure that is more than ten meters deep overnight … This is what Dr. Fan recorded in her work log."
Lu Zhou spoke.
"Just tell me, what else did he say?"
Director Chang Hezhi shook his head and said, "Nothing else, that's all he said about the fracture structure. Other than that, it's about the application for publication. He wants to publish this amazing geological discovery so that more people can analyze this magical phenomenon. "
The scientific research funding for the Mars landing program mainly came from China. The scientific research results produced by all scientific research activities on Mars belonged to the Mars Manned Mission Office. Therefore, if they wanted to publish their scientific research results, they must apply to the Mars Manned Mission Office and obtain approval.
However, under normal circumstances, this kind of research project that did not involve sensitive experimental content was just a formality. The Mars Manned Mission Office certainly hoped that they could produce more valuable results so that their investment in the Mars project would be worth it.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Zhou nodded.
"Just do as he said."
Even though Lu Zhou felt that it was a bit too hasty to publish this discovery now, it might seem more rigorous to publish it after obtaining more clues, Dr. Fan's proposal also made sense.
After all, the power of one person was small. The idea of one person was not as reliable as the idea of tens of millions of people. Only when more people participate in this field can there be hope to solve the problem.
Looking at the work log in his hand, Lu Zhou's eyes stopped at the coordinates of 14.7 ° south latitude and 128 ° west longitude. His index finger gently swept over this line.
"Speaking of which, what is the name of the mountain next to this fault structure?"
Director Chang Hezhi: "If I remember correctly, according to the International Astronomical Union … its name seems to have come from a piece of art."
"Artwork?"
“The
Hell, the author is August Rodin … "After a pause, Director Chang Hezhi continued after thinking for a moment," In translation, it is called Hell's Gate. "
Hell's Gate …
This name was a little inauspicious.
As Lu Zhou chewed on this word, that ominous feeling once again surfaced in his heart.
"This name is not auspicious." Lu Zhou picked up a pen from the table and wrote a line of words next to the copy of the work log. He then handed it to Chang Hezhi and said, "In the future, change the name in the work log."
"128 outliers?"
"Yeah." Lu Zhou looked at Director Chang Hezhi and said, "Raise the priority of this research project to A-level. If there are any new discoveries, report to me immediately."
…
Ever since the "New Virginia" project failed, due to public opinion and funding pressure, NASA suspended more than 90% of its Mars projects.
However, even though NASA was still struggling with the launch plan, this didn't mean that they were willing to give up their desire to go to Mars.
However, everything had returned to the realm of reason.
NASA High-Resolution Imaging Science Laboratory.
This was the command center for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Curiosity. It was one of the few NASA research teams that still focused on Mars.
"The latest research data."
Professor Astark slammed a document on the desk and looked at the middle-aged man wearing glasses sitting behind the desk. He said, "I don't know if you've read it, but I suggest you read it."
"The latest research data?"
Professor Kermiton reached out and picked up the document. He glanced at it.
However, it didn't matter if he didn't read it. When his gaze followed the information and read two lines down, especially when he saw the color photo attached to the text, his expression suddenly became strange.
"Seismic structures … Appear and then disappear? How is that possible? "
"I also think it's very … unbelievable." Professor Astark looked at Professor Kermiton and said, "But planetary geology isn't my research direction. I want to know what you think about this matter."
"What do I think? What else can I think? They're the only ones there, they have the final say … If they're right, then we're wrong. The geological activity on Mars is still quite active, and the core has not cooled down? This seems to be the only explanation. There may be a special local tectonic movement there that healed the fractured structure overnight? Hmm … This sounds like a supernatural event. "
Professor Kermiton pushed the glasses on the bridge of his nose and sat up straight from his chair. He frowned and said, "Honestly … These two comparison pictures, are they really not photoshopped?"
The geological activity on Mars had stopped. This wasn't an empty statement. It was a conclusion based on the thermal radiation images taken by NASA after rigorous scientific analysis.
All the clues pointed to the fact that the geological activity on Mars had completely stopped, and the magma in the core had completely cooled down.
This was a dead planet. It was impossible for tectonic plate movements to occur, and it was impossible for earthquakes or cracks to occur due to earthquakes.
At least not in the past few billion years.
It wasn't that he was a villain.
It was just that photoshopping, editing data, and other methods of falsifying research results weren't rare in the academic community.
"I've already found a third-party testing agency to analyze it. At least according to the electronic files they updated on their official website, there are no obvious traces of modification on the photos … Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that their technique is too clever for us to see."
"In any case, this is ridiculous." Professor Kermiton placed the research materials in his hand on the table. He sighed and said, "It would be great if we could go to the site."
A bitter smile appeared on Professor Astak's face.
Go to Mars …
This idea sounded a bit whimsical.
But compared to standing on Earth and blindly guessing from tens of millions of kilometers away, this seemed to be the best way.
However, just as the two of them were looking at the document with a headache, a voice suddenly interrupted them from the door.
"Actually, it's not impossible."
When the two heard the voice coming from the door, they raised their heads and looked at the door.
Director Carson was standing there, walking into the office.
"Sorry, I eavesdropped on your conversation, it's just that you were too loud, and I just happened to come here to talk to Professor Kermiton …"
Director Carson shrugged his shoulders and coughed lightly. He continued, "Because of well-known reasons, the White House plans to repair relations with China. According to what I know, the two sides have reached agreements in many aspects, including historical issues … Of course, we don't need to worry about these things. The key is that China has agreed to reserve about one or two international scientific research personnel in the next batch of people going to Mars."
Professor Astak paused for a second and spoke hesitantly.
"So you're saying … We can hitch a ride with the Chinese to Mars?"
"That's not a problem, but I hope that you can understand it as a kind of scientific research cooperation, and the kind that benefits both sides …"
Director Carson coughed and forcefully ended the conversation. He looked at Professor Kermiton with a serious expression.
"I just heard that you seem to be very interested in the geological research on Mars?"
"That's right …"
Professor Kermiton gradually showed a trace of hesitation on his face. Carson didn't give him much time to think at all. He immediately threw out his own proposal.
"Then, Professor Kermiton.
"Are you willing to go to Mars for the long-term friendship between the two countries?"
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