Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 252 After the successful launch

While the official Bilibili livestream was filled with unanimous praise, the actual reactions of viewers watching the livestream varied considerably.

A cheer erupted from the dormitory at Yenching University.

As a PhD student, I don't have the concept of winter break.

However, math PhDs have it a bit better; they can go back for about ten days, which is pitifully short compared to undergraduates, but it's incredibly great compared to other STEM PhDs.

Even a PhD in materials science should be grateful to God for being able to go back for seven days.

It's no wonder that the domestic research environment is criticized.

Of course, this pushy environment is also an important reason why Chinese papers are being published one after another.

Seohyun and Lee Yi-cheong were both watching the live stream on Bilibili.

Before the launch, Xu Xian even sent a WeChat message to Lin Ran, wishing him success in advance.

"Burning God is too arrogant, but thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Burning God has never failed in his life."

"No, if failing to get into Peking University's Tsinghua University is considered a failure."

"How could that be? Getting into Shanghai Jiao Tong University can't be considered a failure, it's at least a Top 3 university."

"To be honest, with the addition of the 'Burning God' (a nickname for a university), I feel that Jiaotong University really has a chance to become a Top 3 university."

"Yeah, that's incredible! Getting on track in just six months is amazing!"
I heard that a lot of Jiao Tong University students are interning at Apollo Technology, and Apollo Technology has become a private internship ground for Jiao Tong University students.

Participating in the development of the first medium-sized rocket by a private aerospace company in China—this resume is almost unbelievable.

Fudan is alright, after all, Fudan mainly focuses on humanities and sciences. I feel Tongji must be so jealous. Both are strong engineering schools, but Tongji's strongest is civil engineering. What will civil engineering be like after 18? It's in a precarious state.

As a result, traditional engineering majors like mechanical and electrical engineering can't even get the same internship opportunities as Jiaotong University students. Tongji University was already at a disadvantage compared to Jiaotong University, and now it's even worse off!

Xu Xian and Li Yiqing, as doctoral students at Yenching University, looked down on the three universities in Shanghai and Shanghai, completely disregarding them.

"Jiaotong University got a lucky break; they stumbled upon a treasure on the street and suddenly gained a renowned alumnus who spans mathematics and aerospace."

The former is all about pretentiousness, while the latter is incredibly practical and equally prestigious. It feels like Shanghai Jiao Tong University has been able to keep Fudan University in check for the next few years.

"Yes, six months is too much. I can understand other small rockets relying on simulation, but is the Burn God rocket with an 8-ton payload and multiple engines also relying on simulation?"

In six months, from design to manufacturing, there is definitely no time to send it to a wind tunnel for testing.

This is simply too amazing. Musk's Falcon 9 failed several times before it finally succeeded. The development time of the Burning God rocket is too short, and the number of ground tests is even in the single digits.

"You didn't go to the wind tunnel, nor did you conduct extensive ground ignition tests or prototype tests, yet you succeeded on the first try." Li Yiqing felt as if she were no longer in the real world.

He has a PhD in applied mathematics. After watching videos by Bi Dao and Tim these past few days, he has been cramming on some basic aerospace knowledge.

In his view, the successful launch and orbit insertion of the rocket, led by Lin Ran, seemed beyond human capability.

"There's nothing we can do, that's just how the gods are. The world of gods and mortals is different."

I reckon those private aerospace organizations are under immense pressure.

"Brother Ran's rocket, with a payload capacity of 8 tons, was successfully launched on its first attempt. Coupled with their claims of improvements towards reusability, I seriously doubt the survival space of these private institutions in China will be infinitely squeezed by Apollo Technology," Xu Xian said.

Li Yiqing asked, "So you believe what the God of Burning said about landing on the moon this year?"

Xu Xian was stunned, then nodded after a moment and said, "I believe you! Why wouldn't I believe you!"
There are still nine months left, why don't you believe me?

Li Yiqing joked, "Then why don't you bet with those netizens on Zhihu?"

Xu Xian shook his head vigorously: "Belief is belief, and gambling is gambling, but betting on eating poop is a bit too much. If it's money, like a thousand dollars, I'll definitely bet."

Li Yiqing smiled and said, "It's incredible. Although a carrying capacity of 8 tons is nothing, only a third of that of the Falcon 9, the time taken is really exaggerated."

Inside Jiaotong University, in the president's office, several university leaders were watching the live broadcast together.

They naturally knew what this meant.

Jiaotong University has given birth to a private aerospace company, and the founder of this aerospace company is an undergraduate and professor of Jiaotong University. What a close connection!

Coupled with the tradition of Jiaotong University being a strong engineering school, it's like getting a positive buff out of nowhere.

Therefore, the moment Lin Ran announced his success and then said that his life consisted only of success and no failure.

The school leaders in the office applauded and discussed the matter.

"Professor Lin did a great job. Young people should be a little wild. If I were as young as Professor Lin, I would be doing Fields and launching rockets. I would be even wilder than him."

I must declare myself the king of the world.

“Okay, okay, okay.

Principal Lin, how about we discuss with Professor Lin whether we can simultaneously launch the research and development of reusable rockets?

After all, the successful moon landing is mainly symbolic, while reusable rockets have real economic benefits and significant political implications.

For him and Apollo Technology, this means receiving maximum resource support.

"I agree with Lao Ding's point of view. As long as Professor Lin can master reusable rockets, then all the private aerospace companies that make rockets will have no reason to exist."

Because one is enough.

America only managed to develop SpaceX, we have enough with Apollo technology.

All government support for private aerospace companies will be directed towards Apollo Technology.

Other private aerospace companies are either transforming into suppliers providing upstream and downstream services, or focusing on other niche areas, such as space tourism and electronic satellites.

"I'll have a good talk with Professor Lin when he returns to the school." Lin Zhongqing also felt that this statement made a lot of sense.

In their view, mathematical geniuses have a natural advantage in developing reusable rockets.

Judging from the fact that Burning No. 1 was completed in half a year, it is highly likely that Lin Ran has mastered a new simulation method. This simulation method can avoid a lot of real-world testing and complete the test by computer simulation.

This also means that researching reusable rockets will be much more efficient.

"At the next meeting of the Shanghai education system, Lao Lin, we'll finally be able to show off in front of Fudan University!"

"Yes, Fudan's math program is strong, and they always say it's the second strongest in China, even stronger than Tsinghua University, but do you have any Fields Medalists trained domestically?"

"Don't even mention it. I already bragged about it when I went to the epidemic prevention and safety meeting with their vice principal."

They said that Fudan University would cultivate its own Fields Medal winner within ten years, and I just smiled and didn't say anything.

Within ten years, we will have become the first university in China to land on the moon!

"Ha ha ha ha"

"President Lin, we should mention to Professor Lin that when we go to the moon, we should remember to bring Jiaotong University's flag with us."

"Yes, Principal Lin, when you go to Hengshan Hotel to report on your work next time, remember to tell the old leader this good news. He will definitely be very happy."

The Long March 2F rocket, which is of the same class and has the same carrying capacity as the Burning-1 rocket, was developed during his term of office.

Now, students from Jiaotong University have successfully developed a rocket with similar functions and carrying capacity to the Long March 2F, but with a more advanced design.

Like the Yangtze River, new waves push the old aside; every generation produces talented individuals who achieve great things!

For Shanghai Jiao Tong University, this is an exceptionally good thing. To put it simply, even disregarding the possibility of a successful lunar landing, the fact that they have independently developed a medium-sized rocket is already incredibly exciting, and it's absolutely unique in China.

Within Jiaotong University's various class groups, things were in complete chaos.

A whole bunch of Lin Ran's emojis.

A photo of Lin Ran standing on the podium in a Jiaotong University classroom, accompanied by the caption "Lin Ran has arrived," went viral.

Lin Ran is a professor in the Department of Mathematics. He usually only teaches the Lin Ran Mathematics Class. In addition, he also teaches two courses: Basic Number Theory and Analytic Number Theory. Moreover, most of the time, these two courses are taught by young lecturers.

Students who choose these two courses may only be able to see Lin Ran once a month.

After all, big shots always have special privileges.

But Lin Ran is the most popular professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and every time he teaches a class, a bunch of memes circulate online.

When Lin Ran discovered that no one understood the material during his lecture, he shook his head helplessly, and his expression of anger was turned into a meme.

Even Lin Ran drinking water can be turned into a meme of two people being irreconcilably opposed.

In short, playing with Lin Ran's memes in Jiaotong University's WeChat groups has become a habit.

It's the same reason why Jiaotong University students were the most enthusiastic about using memes back then.

In groups where counselors are present, the counselors sometimes join in the fun.

"@Director Zhang, who's working hard, how do I apply for an internship at Apollo Technology?"

"+1"

"+1"

A group of +1s followed.

"Yes, Director, I was blind to your true worth before. Is it too late for me to go to Apollo Technology to get my credentials?"

"Back then, I disliked the fact that Kunshan was too far away, that the name Apollo Technology sounded like Marco Polo Tiles and had no class at all, and that Ran Shen, a number theorist, didn't know anything about aerospace. Now I know I was wrong. I hope Ran Shen can give me another chance, and I hope Jiaotong University can help me ask if Ran Shen can still take me in."

"+1, I just don't understand the world of geniuses!"

"Burning God, this is too insane!"

"Damn, those people in the School of Mathematical Sciences are too lucky. From what I understand, basically, apart from the juniors who are preparing for graduate school entrance exams or applying for graduate school through recommendation, more than 7% of the students in other years are helping out at Apollo Technology. They just picked up a bargain out of thin air."

"Don't let it become a laughing stock when we do the statistics two years after graduation, and we find that more math majors ended up in the aerospace industry than aerospace engineers, and in better positions."

"I've heard that the School of Mathematics has a semi-coercive nature. At the time, I thought the leaders of the School of Mathematics were too obsequious. Why would they need to use students to please the God of Burning?"
It was as if they were treating Fields like royalty. Turns out, the math department leadership had the foresight to see this as just a chance to gain prestige.

This is a group chat for the School of Mechanical Engineering, and the discussion is very lively.

WeChat group chats are actually broken down into sentences. The format has been merged to some extent, but the meaning should be conveyed.

The School of Aerospace Engineering is urging counselors to quickly talk to Professor Lin, as those who haven't gone on internships yet are now required to do so.

Let alone Kunshan, they would have to go even in Suzhou.

As for the School of Mathematical Sciences, it represents a stable and secure happiness.

Is there anything more heartwarming than finding a bargain?

Furthermore, given their internship at Apollo Technology, they clearly understood that Lin Ran's claim of landing on the moon in one year was not unfounded.

Once the moon landing is achieved within a year, the entire commercial space industry will experience unprecedented development. And they have already secured their spots, waiting to graduate and enter the top Apollo technology. It's a sure way to win in life, right?
It's the same principle as everyone in the semiconductor industry taking off while riding the wave in 18.

It took off from the spot.

"Building an 8-ton rocket in six months?! I witnessed a miracle at the launch site of China's version of 'SpaceX'!"

This is a video that Tim's team hastily edited the day after the successful launch.

Upon its release, it quickly topped the Bilibili trending list and garnered over a million views.

At the beginning of the video, a 35-meter-tall silver-white rocket stands on the launch pad on the reddish-brown Gobi Desert, with the morning light flowing across its skin.

The close-up shot focuses on Tim, whose palm rests on the cold rocket body. The camera then pulls back to show his full body, before Tim turns to face the camera, wearing a custom-made work jacket with the rocket logo embroidered on the left chest.

"Friends, the rocket behind me, the Burning-1, named after Professor Lin Ran himself, took only 182 days from design to launch pad! It can launch an 8-ton satellite into space, equivalent to sending a school bus into low Earth orbit! And today, we will witness its launch with our own eyes!"

The scene shifts to the final assembly workshop, where the background is filled with carbon fiber skeletons and 3D-printed fuel valves.

Tim used AR gestures to bring up a holographic rocket model, with the HUD interface floating on the screen. Clicking on the engine area triggered an explosion view.

"Why is it so fast? The answer lies in these seven parallel engines, which work together autonomously like a swarm of bees!"

Then the camera cuts to the laboratory, where engineers use game controllers to control the synchronous deflection of the vector nozzles of seven engines.

"Traditional rockets require thousands of people to debug for years, while Apollo Technologies uses simulation systems to reduce the cost of trial and error into the world of code. Look at this!"

Play a simulated 3D animation video: the rocket continuously disintegrates in the virtual world.

The red text displayed "Fuel Oscillation FAIL" and "Turbo Pump Overload FAIL," before finally settling on the green "SUCCESS."

Tim's voiceover comes in at the opportune moment: "The electricity bills their servers have burned through in the last six months are enough to buy 200 Mac Pros for my studio... The scene cuts to a mountain of coffee cans piled up in the Apollo Technology office building."

The comments section was filled with tributes!

During the launch, the film crew set up an 8K panoramic camera on a mountaintop 2 kilometers away to capture the entire ascent arc.

After all, this is an official mission from Bilibili. Other things may not matter, but the image of the Bilibili logo streaking across the sky during the launch must be captured clearly enough.

The thermal imager is aimed at the engine nozzle, while a high-speed camera array captures the moment of ignition.

An explosion-proof box was set up 500 meters from the launch pad, with a GoPro and a sound pressure sensor inside to measure the 190-decibel shock wave during launch.

"We can see that the exciting moment is about to arrive, my heart is really racing!"

At the moment of ignition and liftoff, starting at T-10 seconds, the ambient noise disappeared, leaving only Tim's breathing and the beeping of the heart monitor.

After a 0.5-second silence with the screen completely black, a sudden roar and explosion followed, and the image switched from the thermal imaging of the blue flames from the nozzle to the rocket contrail in the clear sky.

A drone filmed a rocket traversing through the clouds, accompanied by electronic symphonic music in the style of Hans Zimmer.

The soundtracks for Interstellar, Dunkirk, and Inception were all composed by Hans Zimmer.

Viewers on the live stream began recording the real-time speed: speed 4.2 km/s↑, altitude 70 km.

The video shows a comparison animation of the conventional Long March 2F rocket and the Burning 1 rocket sprinting side by side.

After successfully entering orbit:
The control room is filled with cheering shots; Lin Ran and Pony shake hands, and the engineers are all celebrating.

The final shot focuses on Tim facing the setting sun, his hair whipped by the Gobi Desert winds:
"Some people ask: What can private aerospace change? Look at this group of people. They completed a decade's worth of work in the old era in 182 days, turning rocket development into 'software simulation iteration'."

When young people in China no longer look up at the stars, but instead participate in changing space, that will be a true space revolution.

The space revolution cannot be achieved without the participation of young Chinese people.

Finally, I would like to express my special gratitude to Professor Lin for accepting my interview and giving me this opportunity to visit. I hope that I will have the opportunity to visit again next time.

I think I'll become a lifelong fan of the professor.

(End of this chapter)