Great Country Academician

The red-purple tail flame was like a brilliant sunset on the horizon, and the silver-white Xinghai emerged from the blue sky riding on white clouds.

The short time passed by like a shuttle, and on the spacious runway, the swaying red-purple tail flame gradually disappeared.

The engine was shut down, the drag chute was sprayed backwards, and the speeding space shuttle gradually came to a stop.

Looking at the Xinghai that appeared in the field of vision, at this moment, the general control center was already filled with cheers.

From departure to return, for a full twenty-eight hours, more than a day, everyone in the space base was feeling tense.

Although personnel were arranged for job rotation, many people still simply lay down on the bed, closed their eyes for a while and then returned to their posts.

Xinghai is like the common child of all people, making people care about it during the long voyage.

Especially the accident that occurred during the return flight made everyone's hearts beat in their throats.

Fortunately, the dust has settled now, the Xinghai has returned safely and triumphantly, and everything is going well.

If we say this March, the most eye-catching news a few days ago was the Great Reconciliation of the Century in the Middle East, which has completely changed the landscape of the entire Middle East and even the world.

After that silver-white space shuttle took off, the attention of all countries and regions shifted to the red land.

From the launch of the Xinghai, to CTV media’s announcement of the electric propulsion system, to NASA’s press conference, and even the accident during the final return stage, almost every piece of news has attracted enough attention and traffic. It has also attracted the attention of space agencies around the world and even netizens.

China has always been catching up with Western countries in the field of aerospace.

Especially in the fields of launch vehicles with large payloads and thrust, as well as space shuttles, outer space exploration and other related fields, they still have great shortcomings compared with those Western countries that developed very early.

But the emergence of Xinghai has filled this gap. Even overtaking on corners was achieved through alternative methods.

Especially the power system used by this space shuttle, which is the legendary electric propulsion that cannot even send a piece of paper to the sky, shocked a large number of people's attention.

Even though NASA's external press conference made inferences in an extremely ambiguous way, many people were skeptical about it.

After all, the Xinghai space shuttle was designed and manufactured by the monster-like Professor Xu.

Europe, Paris, Gaul.

The world-famous European Union Space Agency is located here.

Like other space agencies, the EU Joint Space Agency's eyes and attention also fell on the space shuttle during these two days.

Especially during the return stage, the unexpected accident and the Xinghai easily getting rid of the attack after turning on its power made everyone in the satellite control center couldn't help but take a breath.

A space shuttle that can freely cruise within the atmosphere and outer space, a space shuttle that cannot even catch up with weapons exceeding Mach 6.

It shocked everyone no less than the little boy who was dropped on Hiroshima.

If such a space shuttle is equipped with a weapon system, one is enough to form a strategic-level deterrent to the entire world.

Looking at the images captured by satellite surveillance, everyone in the satellite control center of the European Union Space Agency looked at each other.

"It would be nice if that shuttle was shot down."

I don't know when, a sigh sounded in the satellite control center.

The voice was not loud, but it attracted everyone's attention, and everyone turned their attention to it.

Being stared at by everyone, Representative Yidaili, who just couldn't help but sigh, was stunned for a moment. After he came to his senses, he quickly explained: "We didn't do it!"

"Judging from the trajectory, the launch location should be over the Pacific Ocean, but we don't have that capability."

The representative of Yi Daili quickly explained in a panic that he couldn't help but said the wrong thing just now. If this got out, it would be a big trap.

Dare to launch an attack on a space shuttle that is undergoing space activities, even if it is just an unmanned space shuttle, this is too bold.

To put it lightly, it was just the loss of a space shuttle.

But to be more serious, this is ruining human spaceflight and the future!

You know, even in the Red and Blue Cold War of the last century, there has never been such a blatant attack on a spacecraft.

Listening to Italy's representative's explanation, representatives from EU countries in the control center also speculated on who had done this.

The country with the greatest possibility is naturally the country across the Atlantic Ocean.

After all, judging from the trajectories, the starting point of those two weapons should be the Pacific Ocean.

But to be honest, the other party may not be that stupid.

If this kind of thing is really discovered, the consequences will be serious.

Of course, if you really come prepared, you may not be able to find out who it is.

After all, although the trajectory can be speculated, the other party will not always wait there for you to mobilize satellites to find it.

Unless it was really shot down, someone would have to be arranged to recover the wreckage, and they might be caught red-handed.

As for now, it is too difficult to catch the opponent.

On the other side, NASA headquarters in Washington.

In the same satellite control center, as soon as the satellite and radar detected the attack on the Xinghai, Bill Nelson was overjoyed. He wished that the other party's spacecraft fell into the sea.

Then, after thinking about the possible impact of this incident, he quickly looked at CIA Director William Joseph Burns who was standing next to him, and asked with a solemn expression.

"You did it?"

Staring at the radar screen, William Joseph Burns' face was equally solemn. Being able to sit in the position of CIA director, he would naturally also consider the possible consequences of this matter.

Shaking his head quickly, William said: "No, although I have considered it, I have not implemented it."

Unless they were 100% sure that no one would discover them, it would be impossible for them to do such an extremely stupid action.

Especially in the current sensitive international situation, a slight surprise may lead to the outbreak of the third war.

At least, the CIA wouldn't be so stupid.

"Who did that?"

"have no idea."

William shook his head, and the relevant clues in his mind were quickly connected and rotated.

Someone wants to frame them? Maybe they want to swallow up the advanced technology on that Xinghai?

Tsarist Russia? Europe? Or Asan or Sakura Country?

There are not many countries that have the ability to do this, but there are also many. He does not dare to determine who did it until a complete investigation is completed.

But at least, the United States or the CIA probably didn't do it.

No matter what, let’s investigate clearly first.

Moreover, the diplomatic side may be very busy this time, and it may even involve business affairs and other fields.

Big trouble.

It's not just this incident.

There is also the strategic deterrence brought by the Xinghai.

You can imagine with your toes that such a space shuttle that can cruise in the atmosphere and outer space can become an aerospace fighter with slight modifications.

It can appear in any corner of the earth anytime and anywhere like a ghost, giving you a weapon you can carry with you, making it impossible to guard against.

With such power, even the United States would find it difficult to think of a corresponding solution.

More importantly, they may not even be able to do anything with that plane.

Satellite and radar monitoring showed that when it escaped the attack, the space shuttle named Xinghai reached a speed of Mach 12 at its peak.

At this speed, I am afraid that except for laser weapons, intercontinental weapons and other very few weapons can attack it, other weapons will be useless against it. There is no way to catch up with it.

And, the most terrifying thing is that at Mach 12, it is not yet known whether this is its ultimate speed.

Jinling, Xinghai Research Institute.

After the Xinghai successfully returned in triumph, the engineers and technicians at the space base quickly began relevant inspections of the space shuttle.

The seeds, plants and animals brought to heaven for experiments were immediately sent to the institute headquarters at the foot of Qixia Mountain for research.

Therefore, a small biological science research institute was established in Xinghai Research Institute, dedicated to studying these seeds and organisms that have been irradiated in outer space.

Of course, in addition to the samples reserved for the headquarters for research, some were distributed to top biological research institutes in the country.

For example, the Institute of Crop Science of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Hybrid Rice Research Center led by Archdruid, Huanong University and other research institutions and universities, etc.

Thanks to the Xinghai's huge size and payload of dozens of tons, a large number of seeds, vegetation and animals were carried to the sky this time, and almost most of the research institutions that are qualified and in need can distribute them.

Looking at the distributed seeds and vegetation, Xu Chuan said to himself thoughtfully: "Speaking of which, should we set up a breeding center on the moon? Let's see if rice, wheat, etc. can be grown on the moon's surface?"

After the Xinghai successfully completed its first unmanned trial flight, as long as it is inspected and confirmed that there are no problems with the status of the space shuttle, subsequent manned spaceflight and lunar landing projects will soon start.

He has already drifted his thoughts to the planet hundreds of millions of kilometers away, and is thinking about how to develop more on the moon.

And among them, farming! There is no doubt that this is an obsession engraved in the bones of people who grew up in this land.

A moon that cannot grow vegetables is not a good ball!

Hearing this, Professor Han Zhixin, an expert from Huanong University who came to receive their experimental sample, had a sudden thought and asked quickly: "Hasn't it been proven that lunar soil cannot support plant growth before?"

Hearing this, Xu Chuan came back to his senses, smiled and said: "Under normal circumstances, it is true. The surface of the lunar soil contains harmful substances such as helium 3, making it difficult for crops to survive on it."

"But helium-3 is the resource we need. If we further process it during mining to remove harmful substances in the lunar soil, maybe there will be hope?"

After a pause, he continued: "I read a news report some time ago."

"The University of Florida has disclosed one of its results to the public. They used the lunar soil collected during NASA's Apollo lunar landing mission to grow a plant called 'Arabidopsis'!"

"This is the first time that plants have sprouted and grown in lunar soil, breaking the previous restriction that lunar soil could not grow crops."

"Although their experiments required the use of certain nutrient solutions, and the planted 'Arabidopsis' grew slowly, they were conducted in lunar soil that had not been specially treated."

"If you use treated lunar soil and combine it with nutrient solution, you may be able to allow crops to grow normally."

"If it can be done and this achievement can be expanded to a large area, there may be hope to establish a planting base on the moon to grow food, clean the air, recycle water, etc., just like plants play the same role on the earth. "

"Of course, in addition to these, there are more tests and experiments on the survival and growth of plants on alien planets. Setting up a breeding center can also accumulate experience for future space exploration."

Hearing these words, Professor Han Zhixin's heart moved and he quickly said: "Do you still need anyone?"

"What?"

Xu Chuan was stunned for a moment and looked at the professor from South China University in surprise.

Professor Han Zhixin coughed slightly, with a friendly and enthusiastic smile on his face, and said: "I mean, regarding establishing a planting center on the moon, Academician Xu, do you still need help here?"

"Our Huanong University, not to mention other things, in terms of planting and cultivating crops, no one dares to be the second in the country to be the first! Whether it is in traditional crops such as rice and wheat, or in the cultivation of various other plants, we have great achievements. An experience unmatched by other schools and research institutions!”

Looking at Professor Han Zhixin who was eager to market himself, Xu Chuan finally reacted and said with a bit of laughter: "Well, this is just an idea. It's not sure whether the project will be established."

Han Zhixin said quickly without any concern: "It's okay, it's okay. As long as you need it, Academician Xu, we at Huanong University will be available at any time."

“In terms of planting research, no university or institution is stronger than our Huanong University.”

Being pushed by Professor Han Zhixin to sell things, Xu Chuan couldn't laugh or cry.

The other party's eagerness meant that, let alone cooperation, it was possible for Huanong University to compensate for the lunar surface planting center project.

However, if we really want to build a planting center on the lunar surface, Huanong University is indeed a very good partner.