While China was cheering for the triumphant return of its heroes, the news of Skyglow's return spread to every corner of the world through media reports, as well as public statements from NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Russian Space Agency.
Almost everyone was surprised when they heard this news.
Prior to this, the North American media had been reporting interviews with NASA experts. They believed that even though Skyglow had a 25-ton Earth-Moon transfer orbit carrying capacity, the Moon landing plan was too hasty, and it might face the same fate as the Soviets.
However, reality was like a slap in the face. Not only did it slap them in the face, but it also shattered their fantasies.
Not only did Skyglow successfully return to the Jin Ling Aerospace Launch Center, but it also brought back three astronauts and more than one kilogram of lunar soil.
Even though they didn't want to admit it, they had to face a terrifying reality.
China, which used ion thruster propulsion systems to overtake other countries in the aerospace field, was catching up to them at an incredible speed.
Today, it was a lunar module and a national flag. What would it be tomorrow? What about the day after tomorrow?
Even though NASA had made no progress in the field of outer space research over the past half a century, the pace of development was undoubtedly a lot slower. Now that China had set foot on the Moon, NASA's lunar space station program would only be launched in 2022. Ever since the Ares program was announced, there had been no concrete action.
All of the Americans who were concerned about this matter couldn't help but be filled with questions and even anger.
What the hell is NASA doing?
Because of this public opinion, the North American media began to change.
They went from being cynical about China's aerospace technology to being "angry" about NASA's incompetence. Led by The New York Times, they accepted the opinions of NASA experts in several interviews. However, after the reports came out, they were slapped in the face. This time, they didn't invite NASA experts. Instead, they directly pointed their guns at NASA and placed a provocative headline on the latest edition of the newspaper.
"What Were Our People Doing When China Was Landing on the Moon?"
Just as the New York Times began to attack NASA, the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post also attacked NASA's inaction from different angles. They questioned where NASA's annual funding, which was dozens of times more than China's, was being used.
Among the many media outlets, CNN, which had the most extreme views, even called for the establishment of a special investigation team to verify NASA's budget over the years, claiming that there was likely to be a shocking conspiracy.
All of a sudden, NASA was overwhelmed by the public's excitement.
In fact, the achievements of the United States in the field of aerospace over the years were not small. The boundaries of their exploration had even reached Pluto, and the two Voyager probes had set foot outside the solar system.
However, none of these results sounded as shocking as landing on the moon.
After all, no matter how far the probes flew, they were still probes. Taking a step outside of Earth was far more stimulating to people's senses.
NASA was obviously not the only one that was struggling with the public's emotions. When something was enough to affect the cohesion of a country and the votes in the pockets of voters, it was no longer just a technical problem, but a political problem.
The government had promised to continue the greatness of the United States.
However, these promises were things that needed to be fulfilled. It was not something that could be casually brushed off.
Right now, the media was still attacking NASA, but normally, it wouldn't be long before the White House was the target of the media's attacks …
…
White House.
Inside a conference room.
It was the same conference table as last time. Other than a few unfamiliar faces, the same group of people sat at the same conference table as last time.
When the current president walked in, everyone stood up to show their respect.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please sit down."
The president walked to the main seat and sat down. He looked around the conference table and stared at NASA Director Carson for two seconds. He then looked away and said, "I need an explanation."
Carson and the deputy director looked at each other. They took a deep breath and stood up.
"We talked about China's determination in the aerospace field … and their technological strength. Their use of ion thruster propulsion systems has exceeded our expectations. Until now, we had never thought that ion thruster propulsion could provide the same thrust as chemical rockets with sufficient power and working medium. It turns out that ion thruster propulsion is also feasible for gravity wells. So far, we have worked with PPPL, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other research institutions to improve the ion thruster propulsion system … "
The president knocked on the table and interrupted Carson's chatter. He pinched his eyebrows and spoke with an impatient look.
"How long will it take?"
Carson paused for a second and smiled bitterly.
"Um … I don't know. Before we solve the thrust problem, we first have to solve the miniaturization of controllable fusion."
Before they could solve the miniaturization of controllable fusion, they had to solve the controllable fusion problem first. Even though Carson's intuition told him that solving the miniaturization of controllable fusion might not be as difficult as he imagined, at least not as difficult as the controllable fusion project itself, there was no point in analyzing these things right now.
After all, according to the negotiation results, it would take at least next year for the two sides to reach an agreement on controllable fusion technology.
And the price would be quite high …
The president said, "Since you can't predict it, then stop bullsh * tting. I need a solution right now, not an explanation for your incompetence!"
Upon hearing this, Carson almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
Sh * t!
Aren't you the one who wants an explanation?
Of course, even though Carson thought this in his mind, he obviously wouldn't say it out loud.
After a while of silence, he coughed and spoke.
"Of course, we've already come up with a response strategy … We've also talked to our vice president before the meeting began."
The president looked at the vice president, only to see the skinny old man sitting in the vice chair of the conference table nodded and spoke in a speed that was so slow that it was maddening.
"Before the meeting began, I chatted with Mr. Carson for a while. His proposal is quite good, although it's a bit risky."
Although the vice president was just a mascot in American politics, and his power might not even be comparable to that of the governor of New Jersey, he could still play a role in certain situations.
For example, when the NSC was reorganized and the vice president was personally in charge of it.
Most of the time, the president couldn't directly take care of aerospace matters. Most of the time, the vice president and the president's executive office were in charge.
"Risky?" The president frowned and looked at Carson. "What kind of risky?"
Carson took a deep breath and said, "My suggestion is to immediately launch the first phase of the Ares program and send our life support system to Mars!"
The president frowned and said, "You call this a plan? If I remember correctly, the testing of the life support system hasn't been completed yet. "
"That's right, but time doesn't allow us to wait any longer. As you said, if there are no major problems, we should believe that our technicians have done their best." Carson took a deep breath and said, "If we omit some troublesome procedures, we can send it to Mars in half a year … No, only two months! We can send it to Mars! "
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a commotion around the conference table.
Carson was sweating profusely.
Because he knew that his proposal was quite risky.
In other words, this was no longer just a risk, but a gamble, using the lives of the astronauts as a wager.
After the tragedy of the Columbia, very few people dared to do so!
As expected, a serious-looking middle-aged man stood up and stared at Carson sharply.
"Director Carson, can I guess what you mean by troublesome procedures? Are you referring to the 'necessary testing'?"
Carson bit the bullet and said, "Testing is not necessary … In fact, we can already ensure that the life support system can operate stably for at least two years with sufficient power."
The man said, "What guarantee do you have?"
Carson was speechless. He didn't know how to answer. The president suddenly spoke.
"He's right.
"Sometimes we should be more flexible, especially when facing a flexible opponent. Isn't that why the National Space Committee was established?"
Hearing the president mention himself, the vice president smiled and straightened the tie on his chest.
He didn't have much of a presence, so this was the only occasion where he could show others his presence.
The president's words caused a lot of people to whisper. The person who previously questioned Director Carson hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Mr. President, I must remind you that this is not in line with the procedures."
"That's not the case. The test doesn't have to be done in the Arizona desert, it can also be done in the Martian desert," Carson said immediately. "We can send the life support system up there first, and then activate it remotely to see if it works. If possible, we can send astronauts up. "
Even though he didn't agree with this risky approach, he couldn't care less.
Just like what he said to his secretary in the satellite control room earlier.
NASA needs a victory.
The United States needs a victory!
If not …
Either way, the only way to go was to take the blame and resign.
Therefore, he had no other choice.
"Do as he said and send the life support system to Mars for testing." The president tapped the conference table with his pen and said, "We don't have time to waste. After the China started this competition, every minute is precious to us!"
The president signaled the person who stood up to sit back down. He then looked at Director Carson with a meaningful gaze.
"Mr. Carson, I hope to be able to open champagne with you in two months and celebrate our success at the White House banquet. Please don't let me down, otherwise, no one will sympathize with you! "
That meaningful look made Carson break out in a cold sweat.
But even so, he bit the bullet and placed his right hand on his chest.
"I promise you.
"God is on our side!"
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