Super technology leader

When the two astronauts from Interstellar Pathfinder landed the “Dart X” orbital shuttle smoothly on the runway and walked out of the terminal through the boarding bridge, they were treated like heroes.

Flashes popped incessantly, and reporters yelled and shoved microphones forward, all to get a word before the official press conference.

Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. Everything had to follow protocol, and neither astronaut would answer their questions individually.

However, the reporters could glean a lot from the astronauts' posture and facial expressions.

For example, the astronauts were steady and composed, showing no signs of discomfort from their time in space.

Although their time in space wasn't long, this calmness…

Didn't seem like acting.

The reporters on the scene were all quick thinkers.

"Pathfinder Company is truly awesome this time."

"It seems the shuttle is indeed very comfortable. I wonder if I'll have the chance to ride in it under the guise of an interview and promotion?"

"I really want to go to space too, but I can't even afford a ticket. Oh, right, I heard they have a lottery. Maybe I can try my luck."

"I need to dig up some real, solid news. Maybe I can try to infiltrate their company. After all, when I was promoted to a full reporter, the newspaper specially hired a reconnaissance soldier to teach us infiltration techniques. Yes, I'll just lurk in the bushes outside. I don't know if it'll work, but it's worth a try."

Tang Chao had no idea that newspapers these days were so intense, even hiring reconnaissance soldiers to train their reporters. They were really pulling out all the stops to get news.

The two astronauts didn't rest or undergo any examinations. Their new intravehicular suits had vital signs recording systems, and sensors on all important parts of their bodies. The final data would be concentrated in the recording module on their chest.

This data would be reflected in real-time on their personal terminals, and displayed in the command center and medical center during missions. In case of an accident, experts would be ready to tell them what to do.

Of course, this required a relatively close distance. If the communication delay was too severe, the experts could only give general advice. Real-time issues would have to be resolved by the on-site doctor.

But there was no rush for any of that. It was still early. First, they needed to handle today's press conference.

The orbital shuttle's first manned flight was a success, but Tang Chao said there were still some things to test, so there would be a few more manned tests.

A typical private aerospace company wouldn't dare to do this. After all, a manned spacecraft launch costs hundreds of millions of dollars, and multiple tests would be a huge expense.

Pathfinder didn't have such concerns. Three to five manned tests wouldn't cost as much as a single launch for other companies, so they could test the shuttle's limits as much as possible and provide future passengers with a sense of security.

After three to five tests, sufficient data should prove the shuttle's safety. At that point, shuttle pilots and passengers wouldn't need to wear helmets anymore, and the shuttle could officially begin commercial operations.

The stars of today's press conference were the two private astronauts and Tang Chao, the big boss. Especially Tang Chao. Although the two private astronauts had been to space, Tang Chao, who had always been mysterious and appeared as the chief technology officer, was more newsworthy.

After all, previous space tourists could be considered private astronauts in a sense, so the media didn't pay as much attention to them.

Or rather, not as much attention.

The reporters asked them a lot of questions, but not as many as they asked Tang Chao.

Presumably, once they became the first private astronauts to land on the moon, the attention on them would increase. But now, Tang Chao, the decision-maker and technology provider, was the person they most wanted to interview.

"Mr. Tang, will the 'Dart X' be modified into a space fighter?"

"Mr. Tang, what are your thoughts on the current space situation? Will your company form a partnership with the Americans?"

"Mr. Tang, do you think humans can defeat aliens? If a war breaks out between humans and aliens, where do you think the first shot will be fired?"

"Mr. Tang, is your company selling the orbital shuttle? If so, please sell me one. Money is no problem."

Everyone was shocked. Which reporter was being so extravagant?

Were they trying to create a sensation and generate news?

They turned to look and saw a man in a white robe, wearing a white headdress held in place by a black ring, and sporting a well-groomed beard.

Oh, it was someone from the Petroleum Alliance. Never mind, then.

Carry on.

"Mr. Tang, what are your company's future plans for space tourism? Will you develop the space tourism industry independently using the orbital shuttle, or will you sell the entire orbital shuttle to allow other space tourism companies to purchase it and enter a comprehensive development of the space tourism industry?"

"Mr. Tang, what is the progress of your company's 'Starry Sky Inn' space station? When can we expect to stay in a real commercial space hotel in space?"

The reporters' questions were like a Gatling gun. Tang Chao couldn't possibly answer them all. He picked the ones he felt were good, especially the one from the Petroleum Alliance, which he answered specifically.

After all, they were a major client.

To shed their image of "only selling oil," the Petroleum Alliance had been trying to establish themselves as a "city of technology" and a "city of the future" in recent years.

To achieve this reputation, they were bound to invest heavily in technology. However, with a small country and a small population, they couldn't support a systematic technology chain. This led to things like the Petroleum Alliance's Mars probe.

Essentially, the Petroleum Alliance provided the money, the Americans provided the technology and deep-space tracking network, and the Japanese provided the rocket.

Although they emphasized how much they had participated and how many aerospace talents they had trained for the alliance through this plan, everyone knew the reality.

With a small country and a small population, even with talent and funding, they couldn't operate a complete aerospace system.

Of course, considering a system is a configuration for large countries. In the current state of globalization, some "exquisite small countries" can also adopt a strategy of focusing on a single outstanding technology.

So, in any case, the phenomenon of the Petroleum Alliance frantically buying technology products domestically emerged.

Thus, the world's largest high-tech purchasing business appeared, and it was an absolutely generous buyer.

Taking advantage of this question, Tang Chao talked about the operation of the orbital shuttle.

There were three aspects.

First, the newly established Interstellar Pathfinder Space Tourism Department, which is dedicated to space tourism, will use the company's own orbital shuttle to usher in a true era of human space tourism.

Second, the sale of the orbital shuttle. The company sells a standard version of the orbital shuttle, and there are no restrictions. Anyone can buy it.

Third, the training of private astronauts, and the assessment of these people. After passing the assessment, they will be given a professional certificate, proving that you are a qualified orbital shuttle pilot.

This business is mainly for private wealthy individuals and commercial aerospace companies. It can train shuttle pilots for them, or private wealthy individuals who want to fly the orbital shuttle themselves can get certified here after training.

The orbital shuttle sold also provides modification services, which can be modified into luxurious space yachts for wealthy individuals.

If wealthy individuals don't plan to ride at full capacity, the orbital shuttle can be modified to be quite luxurious.

Now Tang Chao's words carried more weight because he was not only the chief technology officer of Interstellar Pathfinder, but also the owner of the company.

Hearing this news, the reporters were shocked, and those watching the live broadcast were even more shocked.

Especially other companies preparing to develop space tourism.

Companies that were only thinking of moving in this direction were mostly happy because, compared to other companies' manned equipment, the orbital shuttle was undoubtedly the most competitive. So, if they wanted to develop in this area, buying the orbital shuttle was definitely the right choice.

Companies that had already independently developed or were developing manned spacecraft felt less happy because Tang Chao's words meant their business in this area was doomed to lose money.

There was no way around it. Currently, other companies' manned space equipment couldn't compare to the orbital shuttle.

The most somber mood was among several private aerospace companies in America with space tourism businesses. Not only them, but even the government had gotten involved.

After Tang Chao said this, within five minutes, the owners of the private aerospace companies were summoned by the American Aerospace Agency and government officials to a secret online conference room.

"Gentlemen, we must find a way to counterattack!"

Everyone thought, "Here it comes again? How many times have we heard this sentence?"

An owner who had not independently developed a manned spacecraft but was preparing to enter the space tourism industry said, "Sir, I don't understand your meaning. Pathfinder Company has already said that there are no restrictions on the sale of the orbital shuttle. We can completely buy their orbital shuttle to develop our own space tourism."

"Our company specializes in developing inflatable space capsules. We are confident that we can build space stations at a lower cost than them, and the space will be much larger. The huge space means we have more decoration options and more entertainment projects. This way, they definitely can't compete with us."

As soon as he finished speaking, an official said, "No, we must not buy their orbital shuttle. It's not a matter of counterattack or not. It's a direct admission of defeat!"

"Moreover, they will definitely install espionage devices inside to probe our aerospace secrets. This is absolutely not allowed. So, for our national security, we absolutely cannot buy their orbital shuttle!"

"…"

Okay, traditional performance, and an extremely traditional "accusation."

This was probably because Pathfinder had refused to cooperate before, and the government had held a grudge. But wasn't this the government's own doing in the first place?

Seeing that the overall situation in Tianxia was getting better and better, and they wanted to cooperate with the whole world, which was a super-large market in the eyes of all major capital, the American government simply controlled it, and wouldn't allow anything with a slightly higher technological content to be sold.

However, the higher the technological content, the lower the sales volume, because many countries that were not of a sufficient "level" simply didn't need those high-tech gadgets.

Seeing that such a huge market in Tianxia had risen, and the demand for high-tech gadgets was very high, the suppliers were all yelling with their products, but the American government "slammed" the door shut, blocking the suppliers' wealth outside.

High-tech product suppliers: "???"

Controlling the suppliers in their own country was not enough, they even controlled the suppliers in other countries, even those who had started cooperating with Tianxia a long time ago.

With one order, sales were directly reduced by half.

The suppliers were all crazy and cursed.

But there was no way around it. They couldn't beat America. They weren't the ultra-giant companies in Cyberpunk, so they had to follow America's rules.

However, the owners present didn't expect today's events. They thought the orbital shuttle would take a long time to officially enter service, but they didn't expect it to be so soon.

They suspected that it was highly likely related to the alien matter.

Just like the reporter asked, "Will it be modified into a space fighter?" They could answer without Tang Chao answering.

"Definitely!"

There was no need to consider this at all. The aliens were already here. You couldn't not modify it.

That was a deep-seated fear of the unknown from the depths of the human heart. Once they encountered such a thing, the first thing they could think of was to arm themselves first.

Grab a sword, put on armor, and only then would they have a little sense of security.

"Mr. Kuna, in that case, let's quickly pass the restart proposal for the 'Adventure Star' single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft. Funds, researchers, materials, etc., as long as these things are in place, combined with our current plan, we can perfect it in a very short time."

"A carrying capacity of more than 20 tons is enough to crush Pathfinder's orbital shuttle. We can even have a real space bomber before the aliens arrive."

"I know…"

Kuna rarely showed a hint of hesitation and continued, "The certification work was delayed due to some things before, but now all the senators have unified their opinions. Everything you need will be gathered in the shortest possible time, but you guarantee that you must complete it in the shortest possible time."

"And it must be according to military standards. We need it to become a standard space fighter. As for transporting goods, we won't consider it for the time being."

"And Mr. Musk, your Star Arrow launch system has been listed as a key support project. I hope you don't disappoint the senators."

Musk's lips curled up slightly when he heard this: "Don't worry, its progress is very smooth. I guarantee that it will be able to make its first flight before the New Year, and the first flight will definitely be successful."

In the uninterrupted live video, Tang Chao also said: "Three days later, our Far航号 and the first unmanned probe spacecraft of mankind will be launched at the Binhai Launch Center, and will soon join the Mars exploration sequence, which will add a contribution to the Mars exploration cause of mankind."

"And the alien detector will inevitably have nowhere to hide under its illumination!"

These words made the atmosphere in the conference room stagnate. Kuna asked the people from the Aerospace Agency, "Have our two plans discovered the身影 of the detector?"

"N-not yet."

"…"

A combined two-in-one chapter