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Chapter 337 Successful Launch
It’s finally over!
Richard almost burst into tears when he saw Lisa again, who had been away for a month.
This past month has been incredibly tough.
Putting aside everything else, the fact that he started with three kilometers a day and gradually increased it to five kilometers in the last week was enough to take a toll on Richard's health.
But this is just a warm-up!
According to the scientific training instructors here, because of the microgravity on the moon, human muscles and bones are prone to atrophy.
Therefore, in theory, it is also necessary to strengthen the core muscles, especially the muscles and bones of the lower limbs.
Fortunately, he and Thomas only need to stay on the moon for one day, so the requirements are not so strict. However, according to research, walking on the moon mainly relies on the strength of the thighs and calves, so some strength training is still necessary in order for them to be able to explore the moon smoothly.
For example, weighted squats, jumps, and lunge jumps.
Of course, all of this training was still within Richard's tolerance level. The most unbearable part was actually the G-force endurance training.
Richard doesn't know how he survived the transition from 2G to 3G and finally 5G.
But that's not all; they also need to be proficient in wearing heavy spacesuits.
Yes, it takes practice to put it on. It's really difficult to put that thing on, and you need two people to help each other.
But to be honest, this was Richard's most enjoyable time. Because the father and son could chat and build rapport during this time.
Thomas is always particularly talkative at this time.
Thomas used to be reluctant to talk to him about school at home. But after a month of training, their relationship has really started to develop in a more friendly direction.
As for the aerobic training such as swimming, cycling, and rope skipping interspersed in these main training programs, as well as static endurance training, neck strengthening training, AGSM training, etc., there is no need to go into detail.
Fortunately, the training was very scientifically arranged. Furthermore, a dedicated massage therapist came to give them three muscle-relaxing massages every day.
But the result was very encouraging.
Richard genuinely felt that after this month of training, he had become much stronger and had successfully completed three simulated launches and lunar landings.
The two successfully put on their spacesuits inside the cabin and exited the artificially constructed low-gravity environment.
Perhaps to ensure a sufficient sense of ceremony and to provide enough material for the documentary, the China Aerospace Science Training Center held a special graduation ceremony for the two.
They celebrated passing all the tests in the traditional Western way of opening champagne.
Meanwhile, the Huaxia Daquan Rocket Launch Center is also ready.
This time, Richard and his son will go into space with two aerospace engineers who will be on board to the moon to replace the two scientists.
They were all acquaintances.
After all, the subjects they train in are mostly the same; it's just that one side is basic training and the other side is intensive training, so they often train together.
However, because the intensity and time are different, the overlap time is relatively short.
However, because they were going to go to the moon together, the training center would often cultivate the four of them's tacit understanding, for example, they would usually eat dinner together.
Richard met with his wife and two other sons in Beijing and spent the night together before setting off for the China Daquan Rocket Launch Center.
Now the time has finally come to truly test the results of this period of training. The launch date was set for August 10th after everyone arrived.
The main reason for choosing this location instead of the previous lower-latitude region was weather considerations. After all, August is typhoon season.
Even though China's rocket launch technology is now among the world's most advanced, the influence of the weather is still uncontrollable.
Even the most advanced quantum simulation computers available today are unlikely to predict the weather with 100% accuracy.
Therefore, for safety reasons, we chose to go to an inland area.
For Richard's family, they didn't think much of it when they were preparing for the moon landing.
But when that day finally arrived, the family couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Especially Richard's wife, Lisa, since her husband took their eldest son to the moon this time.
Even though she had learned from the staff that the Chinese side was paying far more attention to the safety of this voyage than her family.
After all, this mission to send passengers to the moon will also be broadcast live globally.
Lunar travel is a tourism project that the space sector plans to promote in the future, targeting the world's wealthy.
Unfortunately, any industry needs financial support to develop, especially aerospace.
Over the years, the lunar exploration and development efforts have drained an unimaginable amount of money. Although most of it comes from government funding, the related companies and research institutions are under considerable revenue pressure.
After all, there are many people to support. And in recent years, there have been many procedures involved in using the money from higher authorities.
So the idea of starting a side business has always been on my mind. Not long ago, Qiao Yu gave a suggestion: take advantage of the rich people's curiosity and start lunar travel in the early stages of construction.
A complete feasibility report has now been prepared. And it has proven to be feasible.
Wealthy people tend to have stronger curiosity and hobbies than ordinary people.
The main problem is that the world's rich people are just too wealthy. Many things that ordinary people never even encounter in their lifetime have long since lost their novelty for them.
It is well known that there is a threshold for the secretion of dopamine in the human body.
When anything can be easily obtained, it becomes extremely difficult to find happiness again.
Normal methods simply cannot stimulate the brain, which is why some unconventional methods are needed.
These people will go to any lengths to obtain that little bit of pleasure.
For example, five wealthy people once took a sightseeing submarine to visit the Titanic wreckage at a depth of 3,000 meters.
This trip is not cheap; it costs $250,000 per person. And it involves enormous risks.
After all, it's a high-pressure environment at a depth of nearly four thousand meters underwater. The key issue is that the company providing the service doesn't have much experience in building submarines.
Then, as expected, the submarine exploded during its descent.
Moreover, the underwater "explosion" is not a process of eruption, but a process of being squeezed out by strong pressure.
But these things did not deter wealthy people who enjoy novelty and adventure.
Therefore, lunar tourism is definitely a huge gimmick. Being a pioneering human explorer, personally landing on the moon, and collecting some lunar soil to preserve as a permanent souvenir would certainly be a good business opportunity.
For all relevant stakeholders, Richard, whom Qiao Yu selected, was a living advertisement.
This is probably one of the reasons why Richard and his family received such excellent hospitality in China.
It's not just because Qiao Yu's Fine Rain Technology provided the funding, but also because it will prove that the safety of lunar travel currently led by China can be guaranteed.
A $250,000 per person trip to the ocean depths and a 200 million RMB per person trip to the moon isn't that expensive, right? Not to mention it includes various value-added services. These include ground training fees, space tourism accident insurance, and the option to bring back up to 200 grams of lunar souvenirs, which can be individually packaged.
If the user agrees, the entire process can be recorded or even streamed live.
In short, the business department is racking its brains to ensure that it can meet the diverse psychological needs of wealthy people around the world.
In order to make this profitable business model work, we need to ensure that these bigwigs can spend their money comfortably.
Even the wealthy can compete with each other.
Moreover, the desire to compare themselves to others is often stronger than that of ordinary people. This is mainly because no matter how low-key the wealthy may appear on the surface, they are mostly proud and arrogant at heart.
Even if such people get together and seem harmonious on the surface, they probably don't like each other behind the scenes.
When someone goes to the moon and starts bragging to their friends, what happens when others go?
Isn't this how the trends of high society come about?
What others have, I must have too.
Why can't I experience what others have experienced?
A transit station has already been sent to the moon; the technology is quite mature, and internal calculations have been performed.
Based on the material requirements for building a lunar base, it is estimated that approximately ten spacecraft will be launched to land on the moon each year for the next five years.
If three extra spots can be brought up each time, the net profit over a year would be six billion.
After all, the rocket had to be launched anyway. It needed to deliver supplies and also replace the crew. Adding three more people would only add three or four hundred pounds of weight.
This money can cover the costs of the rocket, fuel, and launch. There will still be a significant surplus.
Having more money is always a good thing, as at least half of it can be distributed as bonuses and various benefits.
The past few years have been rather tough, but now that domestic aerospace engineers can earn more, they are even more motivated.
At this point, no one would be too harsh on these researchers and engineers.
Firstly, Qiao Yu's philosophy has always been to ensure that grassroots engineering workers are well-fed so that they have the energy to work; secondly, this is a critical moment for lunar infrastructure construction.
This marks the first time in human history that a habitable space suitable for humans has been constructed on an extraterrestrial planet.
This is something that will inevitably be recorded in the annals of human civilization. More than one influential figure has spoken out, and to summarize, the gist of it is that anyone who dares to slack off on this matter will inevitably suffer a terrible fate for the rest of their life.
The direct result is that multiple departments are keeping a close eye on this area.
In this situation, the family members did a very good job of comforting them.
This somewhat alleviated the anxiety of the two adults.
Of course, the three young people didn't have so many concerns.
Human thought is often strange. Young people's lives may not have truly begun, yet they rarely fear death.
But they begin to feel fear as they get older.
But whether it's joy or sorrow, what's meant to happen will happen eventually.
On the appointed day, the weather at the Daquan Space Launch Center was just as predicted, clear and cloudless.
There wasn't even much wind.
In the words of the staff, it was as if even God was helping them.
After Richard led Thomas into the spaceship, the staff even joked with Lisa.
"Under normal circumstances, a ground wind speed of less than 10 meters per second can prevent the rocket body from being affected by lateral forces."
A wind shear of less than 0.05 at high altitudes is sufficient to ensure flight trajectory stability. Look at today's weather; all indicators are far below expectations, which is much better than the conditions for our last launch.
I must say, Mr. Richard is incredibly lucky! I suggest we rename the documentary "Lucky Richard."
"Thank you, Mr. Wang. I feel much better now," Lisa replied politely.
Then he turned his attention to the live broadcast screen in the launch control hall.
Not only is she here, but Michael Roddy's filming crew is also here.
There's not much that needs to be kept secret at the Daquan launch site now.
You won't find truly advanced technology here, but you can still capture excellent footage. And it showcases the magnanimity of China.
This documentary, which will be broadcast globally in the future, will show the audience the control room for the launch of a fully quantum simulation computer, which will also serve as a form of soft publicity for Huaxia Electronics products.
At this point, the live stream had begun showing the interior of the spacecraft.
The four people were busy securing themselves firmly to their seats.
Richard quickly completed the operation according to the previous training, and then helped Thomas check it again.
Then, following the audio prompt in the headphones, I gave a thumbs-up to the camera.
He shouted, "We're about to take off! I'm so excited! As you all know, I'm just an ordinary welder. Who would have thought I'd have the chance to take my child on a trip to the moon?"
By the way, my fellow workers in Fishtown, will you be able to see me? If you do, please remember my next sentence: after I get back from the moon, I'll definitely treat you all to a drink at the bar!
After saying that, Richard gave the camera a perfect smile.
Although they sound simple, they were all lines that had been prepared in advance...
After all, based on the current publicity needs of all parties, the main focus is on the character of an ordinary student from Xida University who successfully landed on the moon with the help of China.
Wearing a smile is essential to show Richard's optimistic and positive side.
After all, Qiao Yu still had high hopes for this awakened individual, expecting him to achieve even greater things in the future.
Soon everything was ready, all self-tests were completed, and the launch system began its countdown.
Lisa could see from the details in the live stream that Richard and Thomas's hands were clasped tightly together.
This made her subconsciously put her hands together in front of her chest and begin to silently pray for the two of them.
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1..."
Finally, the countdown ended, the rocket ignited, and then soared into the sky, flying higher and higher until it disappeared into the horizon.
However, the rocket and spacecraft did not disappear in the live broadcast; in fact, the video showed the boosters completing their mission and separating successfully.
In the solemn atmosphere of the hall, the rocket finally carried the spaceship out of Earth and began to stabilize.
Amid cheers erupting throughout the launch hall, Richard once again gave a thumbs-up to the camera inside the spacecraft.
This time, Thomas, who was standing next to him, also excitedly raised his hand and waved it vigorously...
This finally put Lisa's mind at ease, though the other half would likely only be resolved when the two men returned to Earth in seven days… (End of Chapter)
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