The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 567 Launch
The leader scratched his head: "One hundred and fifty tons? Professor Liu, this is no joke. The engine we are currently researching and using only weighs one hundred and twenty tons. You've just increased it by another thirty tons."

Liu Hua nodded proudly: "That's right, this is actually just an intermediate product. We initially planned to research 200 tons, but there were still difficulties, and we were unable to achieve the final goal."

"You're being a bit too proud. Two hundred tons? We haven't even achieved one hundred and twenty tons yet." The leader said with a smile, "If I may ask, how did the engine perform during the test run on the platform?"

"I've checked the test records, and there wasn't the slightest problem."

"That's not scientific. How could a new engine be completely without any problems?"

Liu Hua leaned back and spread his hands: "Isn't this reasonable? If there's nothing wrong with it, there's nothing wrong with it. Why do you have to find something wrong with it and nitpick? Is that interesting?"

"That's not what I meant. I'll arrange it for you right away. It's just an engine test firing experiment, right? We're very familiar with that."

Liu Hua went all out, conducting more than twenty test firing experiments within three months, and the results of each experiment were excellent.

The leader at the space agency was practically grinning. After the second experiment, he applied to his superiors to suspend the development of the 120-ton thrust engine.

Although a lot of money has already been wasted, if we don't cut our losses now, we'll waste even more. Since we have something better, there's no need to deduct another 120 yuan.

"Professor Liu, to be frank, our 120-ton engine is still under development and optimization, but it has been suspended. In the future, our country's heavy-lift launch vehicles will rely on your 150-ton engine."

Liu Hua waved his hand: "These are all minor matters. If you can afford it, I can even transfer the technical data to you. After all, our ultimate goal is two hundred tons."

"Thank you so much!" the space agency leader said happily. "Your R&D costs increased by 30 percent, which is the technology transfer fee for this project."

"So generous?"

The leader of the space agency pointed to the sky and said, "It's not my idea. I can't decide to allocate such a large amount of funds. The leader's idea is that we can't let you lose money. In addition, your company's rocket launch platform rental fees for the next ten years can be waived."

Liu Hua nodded: "Have someone come to our company to hand over the work later."

Zhou Tianxingdou's rocket has been assembled and is being transported to Liangshan. On the day the rocket arrives, Liu Hua notices that a group of space enthusiasts are entering the area around the launch site.

This launch mission was not originally part of the Xichang Launch Center's annual plan, so an announcement was issued at the last minute. It generated quite a bit of discussion online, so Liu Hua made a suggestion to Xichang.

"Many young people are quite interested in satellite launches. We've already allowed people to watch the launch in the Gobi Desert, so we'll allow them to watch this launch as well."

The head of the Xichang base hesitated repeatedly: "Professor Liu, are you sure?"

Liu Hua nodded: "This is just a rocket launched by a private company. It doesn't involve any classified missions, so let everyone take a look and spread some knowledge about aerospace."

After applying to higher authorities, the Xichang base posted another announcement online, offering 200 spots. Participants needed to make an appointment and provide all their identification information. After verification, an invitation email would be sent, and entry would be granted upon presentation of an ID card. It's worth noting that the Xichang base hadn't held this activity before, not even around 2010; Liu Hua was essentially pioneering this initiative.

Moreover, Liu Hua went all out this time, not only allowing you to watch from a designated location, but also allowing you to observe the rocket up close the day before launch, and even climb onto the launch pad to take a photo with the rocket.

This thrilled space enthusiasts, who usually only had the opportunity to admire the rockets from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center's website. This was a privilege they couldn't even get up close to the rockets at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Thousands of people immediately applied, and Liu Hua immediately contacted the relevant departments to have them review the applications. There was nothing he could do; Liu Hua had that kind of influence.

Soon, the review results came out, the list of those who passed was published on the website, and each of them was notified by phone.

The next day, some people arrived in Xichang, although they were not able to enter the launch base immediately because the access period was 24 hours before the launch.

Since they couldn't get into the launch site, they wandered around the surrounding counties, bringing a lot of business to the local small vendors.

Later, the Xichang Satellite Launch Center gradually lifted restrictions on viewing launches, attracting a large influx of tourists to the surrounding area. This also boosted the local economy of the county town.

Twenty-four hours before the launch, as dawn broke and the sun rose, tourists entered the launch site in an orderly fashion.

They first toured the public areas of the launch site, and then the staff arranged by the launch site led them to the launch pad.

"Wait a minute, aren't all the rockets in our country called Long March? Why is this rocket painted with Hou Yi?"

Some tourists noticed that the rocket was painted with the characters Hou Yi and asked a question. The guide smiled and explained, "Our country's rockets are indeed called the Long March series, but this particular rocket is not from our national space agency. It was produced by a private company in our country. They named it Hou Yi, which means Hou Yi shooting down the sun, symbolizing lofty aspirations and also expressing the idea that man can conquer nature."

"Does our country still have private aerospace companies?"

The accompanying person nodded: "There is indeed a pilot private aerospace company. This company will shoulder the important task of exploring aerospace technology for private enterprises. If the results are good, the country will further open up the door for private enterprises to enter the aerospace field."

"This company is amazing! They've actually achieved something; they can even launch rockets now."

"Of course," the accompanying staff member said with a smile. "The owner of this company is Academician Liu Hua, a famous scientist in our country. Academician Liu Hua has made outstanding contributions to the development of our country in many scientific and technological fields. For example, the engine of this rocket launch was developed by Academician Liu's company. It has a thrust of 150 tons and is the most advanced rocket engine in our country."

"Academician Liu is awesome."

Two hundred people took photos with each other in front of the launch pad and on the platform for several hours, using up almost all the film they brought. Most people only had one roll left, which they saved for the launch that night.

Everyone thought they hit the jackpot this time, not only witnessing the rocket launch but also getting to take a photo with it. If that photo were posted online, it would make countless people green with envy.

(End of this chapter)