I ask you to build tractors, but you build rockets?

On November 22, ESA officially announced that the Selene manned lunar exploration plan was officially launched.

"The Selene Plan will creatively use the European space shuttle to carry out lunar landing operations, which will help save costs and protect the environment. At the same time, reusable rockets can also significantly reduce environmental pollution.

The ultimate goal of Selene is to send astronauts from all 22 member countries to the lunar surface. China, Italy, and Germany will undertake the main research work of the Selene project..."

The red-necked light of Texas, Aramco’s future boss, amateur movie actor and fried chicken spokesperson—John George lowered the volume on his cell phone and looked at his top aide, Mike Pio, in confusion:

"Pio, didn't Europe participate in our Artemis program? Why do they want to carry out their own moon landing program?"

"Sir, the Artemis plan gives ESA one lunar surface landing quota each for Artemis 4 and 5, and they have 22 member countries."

"..."

Seeing that John didn't speak for a long time, Pio thought he was angry at his ally's betrayal, so he tentatively said:

"How about we put pressure on NACA, or increase the number of missions of the Artemis program? More..."

"No, don't do that."

John interrupted him, touched his chin and thought for a while:

"The Artemis program is not about us relying on Europe, but it is about winning people's hearts and giving them a chance to land on the moon. Their participation actually slows down Aramco."

Mike Pio "Huh?"

John: “We have so many powerful companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin Marietta, and SpecaX, but we leave the service module to them to manufacture. This is hurting Aramco’s manufacturing industry. This money should have been given to Aramco. Worker!

Do you remember what I said? Aramco should be as independent as possible in completing its space program rather than relying too much on allies, which are holding us back! Not only these, but various United Nations agreements are also interfering with Aramco. We should not be limited by these rules and regulations, but decide what to do on our own. "

Although Mike Pio is not an experienced political elite, he still understands John’s hidden meaning. Is this reverse isolation?

A hundred years ago, Ami was isolated in Europe and desperately wanted to integrate into the world. Now John wants to reverse the isolation of the world? ? !

The latter still kept talking:

"Their withdrawal is a good thing. Will ESA still buy our rocket engines? Let them do it on their own. We sell products, increase the scale of manufacturing, and the Ares project. We do it all ourselves. We must do it for ourselves. Ami adds jobs!”

After the words fell, under Pio's stunned eyes, John skillfully opened the little blue bird, liked and left a message on the news posted by ESA:

"It's great to see our allies develop independent space careers!"

Then he tweeted back: "Europe's independence will reduce the pressure on NACA, and Aramco and the United States can reduce the alliance's spending and use it to improve people's livelihood."

Pio was stunned for a while and still couldn't figure out John's brain circuit, but he still acted as a licking dog for his own position of national master:

"Mr. John, you are right. Aramco's manufacturing is greater than anything else. Without our support, their Selene Plan may not be successful in ten years!"

…

Moscow.

After more than ten days of consultations and negotiations, Shivin Samarkand reached an agreement with the Lucia Space Agency on behalf of the Indian Space Agency.

RKA will work with ISRO to conduct research on the Gaganyan spacecraft, including service modules, manned return modules, escape towers, power and propulsion modules, etc.

To speed up research, proven technology, mostly from Soyuz spacecraft, will be used.

To this end, ISRO will pay a total of US$600 million to RKA in the next 10 months, including technology transfer, partial parts manufacturing, and personnel guidance. The latter guarantees to complete the first fully unmanned Gaganyan spacecraft in June 2017. Launch and recovery, the Gaganyan spacecraft will complete its first manned flight before December 2017.

Witnessed by the media, Samarkand and Yuri, who was still a little dizzy after attending for eight consecutive days, signed the India-India space technology cooperation agreement, then shook hands and took photos.

That night, Samarkand was about to board a plane to return home, and Yuri took him all the way to the airport.

"Director Borisov, thank you for your warm hospitality, but I have to return home to report first. Please arrange a technical team for guidance as soon as possible."

Facing Yuri's enthusiastic attempt to stay, Samarkand couldn't help but think of his eight drunken nights. He shrank his neck in fear and wanted to leave this hellish place in the ice and snow.

Yuri (still unfinished): "Director Samarkand, I see that Europe has already conducted research on the Selene Project. Your Asia Star Project has not yet been formally established. You must do it as soon as possible."

Using the alcohol method, all the details of the Asia Star project were tricked out by the KGB. RKA determined India's attitude towards the Asia Star project: it really wanted to do it, but it was a little unsure.

ISRO is very excited about the H-X, the monkey version of the SLS moon landing rocket, but the indicator is too "high" and it would be very difficult to add an island country. Both parties are still somewhat self-aware and still struggling to make the argument.

Yuri saw an opportunity. The HX rocket subsystem was basically reliable. After all, it was Aramco technology. The rocket body and engine were all fine. The key was that both countries lacked large-scale integration capabilities, and this was Lucia's strength. .

Although I don’t like the two weaklings’ trip to the moon, if they can spend tens of billions, then I, Lucia, can also play a guest role as a good old man to help you realize your dream.

Of course, it is natural to contribute to your own monthly payment, and it will be open to you when the time comes!

Although Shivan Samarkand is very confident about his country, even he believes that the goal of landing on the moon is still a bit stressful for India. After all, no one has been sent to space.

He didn't even dare to tell Yuri. In fact, he felt that the Asia Star Project was not as reliable as joining the ESA's Selene Project.

"Thank you for your concern, Director Borisov. I will respond to the situation domestically as soon as possible."

Yuri: "No problem, we will also contact the island country. You are all old friends who have deep connections with Lucia."

Seeing Samarkand rush into the cabin as if fleeing, the smile on Yuri's face slowly calmed down, and he didn't know what he was thinking on his uncertain face.

The US$500 million obtained from ISRO is equivalent to 31 billion rubles, which is enough to support the launch of the moon landing plan. However, he also saw that the Asia Star project is actually very unstable and may be abandoned at any time.

Jaganyan planned that Lucia would not be able to get much money in a short period of time. Only by letting India and Island resolutely promote the Asia Star project could they bite off a serious piece of meat. Maybe it would be enough for Lucia to complete the entire independence process. The moon landing was planned.

So...you have to give them some benefits.