Rebirth 08: Rise from copycat phones

Chapter 593 What if it's an alien spaceship?
While Xi Wanqing was surprised, Xu Shenxue was also listening to the report from the aerospace personnel at Nanmen:
"We discovered this 3I/cloud interstellar object about two weeks ago. At first, we thought it was just an ordinary small object in the solar system. However, after calculation, we found that this 'cloud' object is moving very fast, reaching 21 kilometers per second, which far exceeds the escape velocity of the solar system of 16.7 kilometers per second!"

"And it also has a hyperbolic track!"

"Both of these characteristics confirm that the cloud is a celestial body from outside the solar system."

"We will then begin final observations of this celestial body. According to calculations, barring any unforeseen circumstances, its orbit will pass through the solar system, and it will be relatively close to Earth. It will fly between Earth and Mars next August, and at its closest point, it will be only 150 million kilometers away from Earth!"

"This distance will be very close, even close enough for us to launch a probe to touch it!"

"Based on our continuous observations, we have preliminarily determined the shape of the object. It is about 330 meters long and 86 meters wide at its widest point. It has an overall elongated elliptical shape and a rather unusual thickness. Most of the areas on both sides are only about 20 meters thick, but there is a very special protrusion in the middle. The protrusion is about 23 meters high and about 16 meters in diameter!"

"Moreover, its protrusions have distinct geometric lines, unlike what appears to be naturally formed!"

"This is a composite photo we created by collecting resources using various detection instruments and optical telescopes!"

At this moment, Xu Shenxue also saw this 'cloud' interstellar object that had attracted the attention of a group of aerospace scientists from the South Gate!
This is a dark red celestial body. When viewed from the side, it looks somewhat like a long, flat shape with a stone block in the middle... You can tell it's abnormal just by looking at it.

It is almost impossible for such a naturally formed celestial body to exist in nature!

In particular, the protrusions are very neat, with the top and bottom widths being almost identical!
This is not a naturally formed hill; someone simply placed a long, cylindrical pillar on it.

That's really strange!

The researcher continued, "Initially, we strongly suspected that this might be an alien spacecraft, so we have been monitoring it and calculating its orbit. However, in the past two weeks, its orbit has perfectly matched our predicted orbit, and the changes in its orbit and its speed are consistent with gravitational characteristics."

"Currently, it is being subjected to the gravitational slingshot effect of multiple planets and the Sun, and is continuously accelerating. According to our predictions, when it reaches its closest point to Earth, its speed will reach 32 kilometers per second, and then it will be thrown away by the Sun, using the gravitational slingshot effect to accelerate its departure from the solar system!"

"Its orbital changes are vastly different from those of 'Oumuamua,' which was discovered three years ago. At that time, 'Oumuamua exhibited very strange non-gravitational acceleration. Due to limited observation methods and insufficient data, there is still no definitive conclusion. Of course, we can basically rule out the possibility that 'Oumuamua is an extraterrestrial creation. It is still a naturally formed interstellar object. It is just possible that hydrogen escaped, which made it impossible to observe its gas emission acceleration characteristics!"

"As for the 'cloud,' although we haven't observed any acceleration or orbital changes caused by the ejection of gas, water, and dust from a comet, its orbit perfectly matches our previous calculations based on gravity. Therefore, we can basically conclude that the cloud is currently drifting naturally and does not have its own power, whether it is artificial or driven by the ejection of gas from a comet-like celestial body!"

"Its orbit is stable and predictable, and it has no comet tail or abnormal acceleration. It is as if it is dead, wandering in space like a ghost."

"However... based on the detection of various detection devices, we believe that this cloud-like celestial body may be a metallic substance, but conventionally speaking, it is impossible for such a shaped metallic mineral to form in nature!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Shenxue said, "So, you think it might be some kind of man-made metal object?"

Gao Jiayuan, the head of the Nanwang project team at Nanmen Aerospace and a top astronomical scientist, nodded slightly: "We do have this suspicion!"

"After all, it's really hard to believe that this shape is a natural creation!"

"Our initial suspicion is that this could be fragments of a building from an alien civilization, or the wreckage of an interstellar spacecraft or probe!"

"Further speculation suggests that this could even be an alien spaceship, currently in hibernation or damaged and adrift in space!"

"Of course, it's also possible that our speculation is wrong, and that this is a large piece of metal born from a star system near our solar system, which has acquired this obviously abnormal shape under the amazing craftsmanship of nature!"

"It was ejected from the star system's gravity by a planet and drifted in space for at least fifty million or even hundreds of millions of years before finally arriving in our solar system and being observed by us!"

"Everything is possible!"

"At least, we currently have no concrete evidence to support any of these falsehoods..."

We need more evidence!

At this moment, Gao Jiayuan took a deep breath and said, "Chairman Xu, I request permission to launch a probe towards 'the cloud' for close-up observation. Then it will be clear whether it's real or fake..."

"This kind of opportunity is extremely rare. The probability of observing interstellar objects is already very low, and it is even more difficult to observe interstellar objects with obvious anomalies. If we miss this opportunity, we may not be able to find a similar opportunity for ten or twenty years!"

"This could be an opportunity to prove whether extraterrestrial civilizations exist!"

Xu Shenxue stared at the 3D image of the 'cloud' displayed on the screen... After pondering for more than ten seconds, he asked, "Technically, can we do it? This cloud is moving so fast and passing by so far from Earth, can our probe accelerate to that speed in a short time?"

"Is it possible to rendezvous at such high speeds, followed by deceleration, descent, or circling?"

"Finally, if this were a dormant alien spaceship that were to become active again due to our probes, could it lead to a devastating blow or even the annihilation of human civilization?"

Gao Jiayuan said, "It is possible to launch a probe for exploration. We at Nanmen Aerospace can do it. We will first use the Long March 6 heavy rocket to send the probe to a high orbit, then use the space station to refuel the probe with chemical fuel, and then use the Yutu interplanetary spacecraft as a booster to provide initial thrust... According to our calculations, the probe can accelerate to 32 kilometers per second in a short time, and catch up with the cloud when it passes through the orbit between Earth and Mars, and then track and observe it!"

"Once the speed is relatively stationary, we will be able to obtain more detailed data through close observation. At that time, we will be able to figure out whether it was formed naturally or created by aliens!"

"If it formed naturally, then we will conduct a routine final exploration to obtain some technical data on interstellar objects and accumulate more knowledge for the future!"

"If it is an alien creation, then we need to be more cautious and continue to observe it. We should only approach it or even make a final landing after confirming that there are no signs of activity. Whether it is ordinary buildings or other spacecraft debris, it can yield huge scientific research value for us!"

"We could even consider changing its trajectory, eventually sending it to crash into Mars or the Moon, and then conducting research on it gradually!"

"This cloud isn't very large. Although our technology doesn't allow us to slow it down and bring it back safely, altering its trajectory to make it crash on Mars or the Moon is technically possible!" "As for the possibility that the alien spaceship is active, or might awaken from hibernation and cause human loss, that possibility cannot be denied. However, I believe that if it were truly an active alien spaceship, it wouldn't be oblivious to our Earth and humanity!"

"After all, life in the universe isn't like sand, it's everywhere. In fact, life in the universe is very rare, and life that can leave traces in space is even rarer. At least so far, we humans have not observed any signs of extraterrestrial civilizations!"

"We've never even received a single electromagnetic wave that follows mathematical laws!"

"If it's in a dormant state, it will wake up when stimulated... I can't rule out that possibility!"

"But I still think the possibility that this is an alien spaceship is extremely small, even negligible... because it's too slow!"

"Our Voyager 1, launched decades ago, could reach speeds of 17 kilometers per second, the escape velocity to escape the solar system. Now, with our modern technology, we can even launch a probe that can reach speeds of hundreds of kilometers per second."

"And this cloud, when it entered the solar system, was only traveling at 23 kilometers per second. That speed is far too slow for interstellar travel!"

"At this speed, it would take thousands of years to travel to any star system a few light-years away!"

"For a civilization capable of interstellar travel, this speed is slower than a snail's pace!"

"Just like how we can't launch an interstellar spaceship towards Centaurus at a speed of tens of kilometers per second for interstellar travel, it would be pointless!"

"Assuming the other side is an alien civilization, and one capable of interstellar travel, then their technology must be at least several levels above ours... But clearly, judging from the current speed of the clouds, this level of technology is not reflected!"

"Therefore, my judgment is that if the clouds are indeed extraterrestrial creations, they may be spacecraft debris that was attacked by some external force, causing it to break away. The impact force threw it into space, where it escaped the gravity of the local star system and began its long space journey!"

"I think that while there are risks, they are negligible, but the potential benefits are enormous!"

"We cannot afford to miss this golden opportunity to verify whether extraterrestrial civilizations exist!"

"We must not give up this precious opportunity to explore the possible remains of extraterrestrial creations!"

"Once you miss it, there's a good chance you won't have another chance!"

"After all, it's not like every day that there are remnants of alien creations drifting in space and happen to wander into our solar system!"

Gao Jiayuan's words made Xu Shenxue continue to ponder.

He started to consider the risks and benefits... There was only one risk: if the other party really was an alien spaceship, and a living being... then things would be very serious.

If it is a benevolent civilization, then we can have positive contact and gain more new knowledge about the civilizations of the universe.

But if it's an evil civilization, or if they just see humans as a bunch of ants and crush them without a second thought... then we're doomed. Human civilization might even be wiped out!

Of course, it's also possible that humans will defeat them, since the speed of these cloud-like celestial bodies is too slow for interstellar travel, and they don't seem to have very advanced technology!

The potential benefits are equally enormous... This could be an opportunity to make contact with a potential extraterrestrial civilization, and there's even a chance to obtain some new materials from the wreckage. Targeted research could potentially drive a leap forward in human technology!
Of course, it's also possible that you won't get anything at all... It's just a chosen metal mineral, given this unique shape by nature's amazing craftsmanship.

Just like Gao Jiayuan said, anything is possible!
If things go well, the rewards will be huge... If things go wrong, it could turn into a massive disaster like the alien invasion depicted in science fiction movies!
Xu Shenxue didn't immediately deny or affirm anything, but simply said, "You need to let me think about this carefully, and then I also need to report to my superiors. This kind of thing isn't something I can decide on my own!"

"However, we can start with the technical preparations in advance, perfecting the detection and capture plan first, and simultaneously developing and building the detectors!"

"I will get Zhiyun Satellite and Weiku Industry to cooperate with you!"

"Regardless of whether we ultimately conduct the probe or not, we must first come up with a practical and feasible technical solution as soon as possible!"

At this moment, Gao Jiayuan said, "I will expedite the technical solution. Also, if Chairman Xu and you are still worried, we can have the probe carry a hydrogen bomb up there. If anything happens, just detonate the hydrogen bomb!"

"Under the temperature of hundreds of millions of degrees Celsius of a nuclear fusion explosion, even aliens would die!"

After listening, Xu Shenxue glanced at Gao Jiayuan and thought, "Well, this astronomical scientist in his forties is already showing signs of turning into a mad scientist!"
------

After listening to the report, Xu Shenxue thought for a moment, then made a phone call to Beijing and briefly explained the situation.

So we put it aside for the time being. As Xu Shenxue said, it's not easy to make a decision directly. We have to discuss it first and then talk about it later. Anyway, we'll prepare the technology first. If we want to do it, we'll put a detector on it. If we don't, it'll just be a waste of some preparation time and a little money.

Afterwards, Xu Shenxue took Xi Wanqing to see the first experimental rocket of the No. 7 rocket, which had been assembled and was ready to be launched the next day!
This rocket looks much larger than the Long March 5 rocket, and its body is much thicker... It is a single-bodied, large-diameter rocket that uses a liquid oxygen-methane engine, with a maximum takeoff weight of 2,000 tons... even larger than the Long March 6 rocket's 1,600 tons!

The purpose of developing the Long March 7 rocket was to replace the Long March 5 and Long March 6 rockets, in order to perform a large number of conventional launch missions in the future, in order to achieve lower launch costs and higher safety performance!

Because they are much larger, they look quite spectacular!
Above the first-stage rocket is not the traditional second-stage rocket, but the larger White Dragon space shuttle, also known as the White Dragon II space shuttle... In terms of appearance alone, it is not much different from the original White Dragon space shuttle, except that it is larger!
Of course, the specific technical features have changed dramatically. Even the engine has been changed. Instead of using a kerosene engine with a vacuum plate, a liquid oxygen methane vacuum plate engine has been used.

One of the most significant technical features of the Long March 7 rocket is its use of a newly developed liquid oxygen-methane engine, designed to reduce launch costs.

The second technical feature is the use of a cantilever recovery method... This is also to reduce launch costs!
The Long March 7 rocket is crucial to Nanmen Aerospace's launch missions for at least the next decade, so it is of great importance. Otherwise, Xu Shenxue would not have personally come to watch the first launch test!

The following day, in the morning, the Long March 7 rocket was officially launched from the Nanmen Space Launch Center... And then, countless people watched on-site or through online live broadcasts to see if the Long March 7 rocket's unique cantilever recovery method would be successful!
(End of this chapter)