Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 542 Americans, Western Europeans, and Soviets all came seeking space cooperation!
Beggs walked all the way to the door before realizing that the Easterner really had no intention of keeping him, but having already reached the door, he couldn't turn back.

So, he reluctantly continued walking outside. When he reached the building entrance, he saw a van stop, and several... Europeans got out?

“Joseph?” Beggs couldn’t help but ask, looking at one of the familiar faces.

The head of the European Space Agency! What are you doing here?

Joseph felt a little awkward when he saw the NASA people walking towards him, but there was no way to avoid them. He could only go up to them and force a smile: "Beggs, what are you doing here?"

This is a classic case of the guilty party accusing the innocent first! If you want to hide your purpose for coming here, then ask the other party about their purpose first!

Bergs didn't hide anything: "We're here to seek cooperation with the Easterners on their Starship program. Without us, the Easterners couldn't have achieved their breakthrough in manned spaceflight!"

Did the Easterners agree?

"They... will definitely agree, so what are you doing here?"

"We...are also involved in manned spaceflight."

Looking at Joseph's rolling eyes, Bergs knew that Joseph was definitely lying. However... the hottest topic right now is this massive plan to fly to Mars. The European Space Agency doesn't even have the capability for manned spaceflight yet, probably because they're embarrassed.

"Okay, then I wish you all the best."

Since the Europeans have cooperated, the United States can also obtain relevant technologies from the East through Europe!
After everyone separated, Joseph breathed a sigh of relief and continued walking forward.

A group of uninvited guests soon arrived at Director Deng's office again.

A bright smile spread across his face: "Welcome, everyone, to Northwestern Polytechnical University!"

This Starship company is really attractive; Americans are here, and Europeans are here too! This…

"Yes, Mr. Deng, we are here for the navigation satellite program."

what?
Lured by the bright prospects of flying to Mars, the Beidou-2 project almost went unnoticed. Unexpectedly, it attracted the attention of the European Space Agency!
In fact, if you think about it carefully, you'll realize that manned spaceflight to Mars is destined to be irrelevant to most people. Even if, according to Principal Qin's blueprint, a few hundred people land on Mars, that's just a drop in the ocean compared to the massive population of billions on Earth.

Satellite navigation systems are relevant to everyone, especially as the price of navigation terminal modules continues to decrease, more and more people will use this advanced navigation system.

“We have heard that your BeiDou-2 navigation system will be prioritized for use in Asia before being gradually expanded globally. We in Europe can’t wait, so we hope to cooperate with you.”

"How do we cooperate?" Director Deng asked.

Running two projects simultaneously is too much for the aerospace department to handle. If external resources could be shared, it would certainly be worth considering.

"If we add about ten more satellites to your planned satellite resources, we can achieve full coverage of the European region. Our European Space Agency can undertake the task of building the European space network. You need to hand over all the satellite technical data to us so that we can manufacture and launch them. At the same time, we will establish a ground station in Europe and be responsible for its maintenance."

Director Deng's face remained smiling, but in his heart he was thinking, "You guys are really dreaming!"

“We can also help you optimize the satellite coding technology, in particular,” said Frank, an engineer standing next to Joseph.

What is the most important thing about BeiDou navigation? It is definitely not the few satellites overhead, nor is it the huge ground terminal module, but the internal coding!
In later generations, some so-called genius went to the United States and presented the deciphered Beidou code.

Now, these guys are just openly robbing us!
Director Deng shook his head: "I'm sorry, it's not necessary."

No need!

The Europeans immediately tensed up: "Why?"

"Because we cannot relinquish control of the BeiDou system to others."

"But you need a global network, and you lack the funds. We'll help you solve your funding gap and enjoy some of your technology. Isn't this a normal exchange of benefits?"

“We don’t need it. Europe can use the first generation of BeiDou navigation first. The advanced second generation can only be used to meet our needs first,” Director Deng said. “This is our established policy.”

What do you mean?
"Director Deng, this is discrimination on your part, discrimination!"

Director Deng smiled and said, "No, this is just a routine matter of principle. Back then, you had advanced technology, but you still imposed a blockade on us, didn't you? You know very well what your Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM) does, don't you?"

Joseph swallowed hard. "That's all in the past. Now, Europe's high technology is completely open to you in the East."

"That's only because you've fallen behind in the research and development of these projects. When we're ahead, you demand that we share; when we're behind, you impose a blockade on us," Director Deng said. "Gentlemen, the Beidou-2 technology is the result of the hard work of the Aerospace Department of Northwestern Polytechnical University. We will not allow you to obtain the relevant technology."

That was said... without leaving any room for sentimentality whatsoever!
Northwestern Polytechnical University now has the confidence to do so! If you don't slap the robbers who come to your door, why keep them around for the New Year?
The Europeans' faces flushed red and then turned pale.

Joseph gritted his teeth: "Hmph, you, do you believe that we'll go back and develop a completely new system, and then prevent your BeiDou navigation system from being used commercially?"

"Go ahead. With your European level of expertise, developing a completely new navigation system would take at least ten years and more than three billion US dollars. Can you afford to invest that?"

Europeans are pleasure-seeking and wouldn't tighten their belts for a big project. Besides, even the United States hasn't completed its network yet. How could European technology, which is even more backward than that of the United States, possibly develop?

"let's go!"

Watching the Europeans leave angrily, the secretary beside him said with some concern, "Director, is what we did... inappropriate?"

"Hmph, these guys are so shameless, if I don't slap them a few times, they'll be strutting around like crazy!"

"Will this spark a wave of opposition against BeiDou in Europe?"

"How could that be? GPS isn't even networked yet. Our BeiDou is the only option. If they dare to cause trouble, we'll cut off their internet access and let them experience what it's like to be without a satellite positioning system! Do you think a monopolistic giant like us is afraid of these clowns?"

That's our confidence!

As they left the aerospace engineering building, the people from the European Space Agency all looked grim.

"Hmph, once we get back, we'll develop our own satellite navigation system!"

"That's right, if Easterners can do it, so can we Europeans!"

Joseph looked at Frank: "Frank, do you think we can build this system ourselves?"

Frank's face was grim: "We have no technological reserves. To overcome these technologies would require more than ten years and a huge amount of funding. Moreover, we don't have high-thrust rockets yet, so we'll probably have to rely on others for launches. Most importantly, by the time we overcome all the difficulties and finish developing it, the Eastern Beidou-2 will definitely already be in global network coverage. At that time..."

In any new field, those who enter early thrive, while those who enter later struggle to get in!

In the field of satellite navigation, BeiDou came first, followed by GPS. By the time Europe's satellite navigation system was launched, the market had already been divided up by these two early entrants.

and so……

They really didn't need to do this project!
Joseph's face darkened completely; this was the last thing he wanted to hear!

But... this might actually be true!

"So... our only option is to cooperate with the Easterners? But they won't give us anything!"

Before setting off, they had a wonderful idea: to use funds to acquire Eastern technology and even control of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System!

Unfortunately, the Easterners gave them the cold shoulder without any politeness, saying, "Get lost, we don't need you!"
"Yes, they don't want to give us anything, we..." "Everyone, you've come out?"

The sound startled everyone, and they turned around to look.

The NSAS people are still here!
"So you were after navigation satellites! Our GPS is about to achieve global coverage, and we can give you access to its military signals for free!"

Bergs chuckled. These Europeans weren't here to collaborate on the Starship project! The BeiDou collaboration had been rejected again! His trip hadn't been a waste after all!

Joseph looked terrible and didn't know how to respond when he saw... a car parked in front of the building, and... a few Russians got out.
Wait a minute, these people look familiar. Isn't the one in the lead Oleg Dmitrievich Baklanov, the Minister of General Machine Building of the Russians?

If you are unfamiliar with the Russian space agency, you might mistakenly think that the Soviet space agency was the space management agency.

In fact, the Soviet Union had two space management agencies. The military space management agency was the Central Space Agency, or Space Agency for short. It was initially under the Strategic Rocket Forces, then under the General Staff, and finally directly under the Ministry of Defense. If the Soviet Union had not collapsed, it would likely have developed into an independent military branch.

The civilian aerospace sector, as well as all aerospace research and manufacturing enterprises, are under the management of the General Machinery Manufacturing Department, abbreviated as MOM, and the highest decision-making body is the Council of Ministers.

As for the guy leading the group, he was also a veteran in the Soviet aerospace field. He became the director of the Kharkiv Instrument Manufacturing Plant in 72, the general manager of the Great Stone Production Association in 75, the deputy minister of the General Machine Building Department in 76, and finally the minister in 81.

Now, is this guy leading a team to have broader cooperation with Northwestern Polytechnical University in the aerospace field?
The Americans and Europeans exchanged glances, both seeing the worry in each other's eyes. Their greatest fear was that the relationship between the East and the Russians was growing increasingly closer! Now…

The Russians were clearly provoking them on purpose! One by one, the tall Russians walked past them with their heads held high and chests puffed out.

Once inside the hall, Boris-Gubanov, standing next to Baklanov, whispered, "Minister, aren't we being a bit too conspicuous?"

"We have to make a big show of it like this. We have to let them know that our Russian aerospace sector is going to cooperate with Northwestern Polytechnical University in all aspects!"

Anyway, many units in the aviation sector have already cooperated with Northwestern Polytechnical University, and the results have been quite good. Now, cooperation with the aerospace sector should naturally be put on the agenda. When I came here, I happened to run into the Americans and Europeans, so I might as well show off a bit!
Department Head's Office.

Director Deng was having a bit of a headache. He had already dealt with two groups of guests, and now a third group was arriving!

Moreover, they were all important figures! The Minister of General Machine Building, the head of Soviet civilian spaceflight!

Boris Cubanov's identity is also quite remarkable; he is the chief executive officer in charge of the development of the Energia rocket!

“Director Deng, we’ve heard that you’re developing reusable rockets, and we’d like to cooperate with you in this field,” Boris-Gubanov said. “Our Energia rocket is planned to use these technologies.”

Energia, the most powerful rocket of the Soviet era!
This is a one-and-a-half-stage rocket, capable of sending a 100-ton payload to low Earth orbit. Without changing its orbit, it can launch a 18-ton payload into geostationary orbit in one go. If an upper stage is added and an orbit-changing operation is performed, the payload capacity to geostationary orbit will reach 48.5 tons!
This is already ten times more than other products!

The Earth-Moon transfer orbit weighs 32 tons, while the Earth-Mars transfer orbit and the Earth-Gold transfer orbit both weigh 28 tons.

It can be said that if the Soviet Union had not collapsed, this enormous monster would have completely rewritten the history of human spaceflight.

Unfortunately... before the collapse of the Soviet Union, this type of rocket was only launched twice. After that, Russia was so poor that it didn't need a rocket of this level at all. In fact, even one of the boosters of this rocket could be used as the main rocket!

At the same time, the Russians also noticed that the construction cost of this rocket was high. In fact, recovery was already taken into consideration during the design phase. Unfortunately, the Russians' electronic technology was backward, and these reusable operations remained only on paper.

The technical difficulty required to bring a rocket down vertically and onto the recovery platform is extremely high; it's fair to say that the Russians currently lack this capability.

But... if it's in the East, it's in Northwestern Polytechnical University!
So, they came!

For the next few minutes, Boris-Gubanov went on and on about their Energia.

"We believe that you do not need to develop any new starships; you can simply use our Energia rockets to fly to Mars!"

Director Deng was starting to doze off.

Are you kidding me?! Do you really think we're stupid?!

Using your rockets? Do you think you can transfer that technology to us? It's simply impossible.

The Americans came to take control of our project, while the Russians came to try and fool us!
"Director Deng, you..."

Seeing him yawn, the Russians were somewhat dissatisfied. Where is your sincerity? We've come all this way, and this is all you've got?

"Gentlemen, what kind of engines do your rockets use?"

"Liquid oxygen and kerosene!"

"So, do we have to extract oil from Mars?"

Everyone was stunned.

Oil isn't something you can just find by drilling a hole; it's a gift from ancient times.

Trees on the earth are turned underground by tectonic movements and, over a long period of time, become coal. The remains of marine animals and various organic materials are turned underground and, over a long period of time, become oil.

Were there marine animals on Mars in ancient times?

Nine times out of ten, it's not true!

If there are no these, then there will be no oil!

Moreover, even if there is oil, it won't work!

Back then, the Americans also tried to develop liquid oxygen and kerosene engines, but they couldn't solve the problem of engine coking. They had to turn to liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen engines. It wasn't until the end of the Cold War, when engineers from both sides sat down to chat, that the Russians revealed their solution.

After testing all the aviation kerosene in the country, we finally found one oil well whose kerosene did not coke!
The Americans improved the engine, while the Russians searched for a suitable fuel!

Now, the Russians want to trick us into using the Energia spacecraft? Let's talk about the kerosene problem on Mars first.

In reality, everyone knows that landing on Mars is just wishful thinking; it's unclear when it will be achieved. We should focus on manned spaceflight and get out of Earth first.

Of course, this reason sounded very sophisticated, and the Russians on the other side... fell completely silent.

"As for rocket recovery, we can indeed cooperate." Director Deng had annoyed the Russians before bringing the topic back on track.

"You need to send us the structural diagrams and engine data of the Energia rocket so that we can conduct research on them."

"No, no, that's impossible, these are all our secrets!" This was the Russian's turn to be dissatisfied.

Are you kidding me? We're not stupid enough to hand over our rocket technology to you!
"Gentlemen, we need to understand the rocket's structure to perform calculations and see if it can withstand the impact during landing. As for the engine, that's even more crucial, since it must be precisely controlled during recovery. You want to cooperate with us because you're interested in our computing power, right?"

That's right, the Russians coveted the advanced electronic technology of the East, as only Eastern computers could perform this level of calculation. However, the Russians had no intention of contributing their technology!
"Could you provide us with advanced electronic technology so that we can integrate it ourselves?" Cubanov asked.

Director Deng shook his head: "Impossible."

"Why? Didn't you provide our fighter jets with quite a few radar components?"

"We can provide the electronic equipment used on the rocket, but that's definitely not enough. The key is the support of a ground-based supercomputer. We can't provide that kind of equipment to you. With just the electronic equipment on the rocket, you simply can't solve the technical problem of rocket recovery."

Director Deng looked at the people present and said, "If you are unwilling to let us take over these technical data, then we'll just have to forget about it. By the way, do you need us to provide electronic equipment for your navigation satellites to extend their lifespan?"

(End of this chapter)