CHAPTER 1874: CHAPTER 980: ACCELERATING THE EXPANSION OF THE SPACE STATION (PART 2)

As Vice Deputy Chen mentioned, we have now transitioned from the second phase to the third phase. The frequency of space station module and manned launch missions is increasing. Once the third phase matures, Xia Country’s space station will be able to start executing round-trip exploration missions between Earth and Mars.

The space station serves as the greatest guarantee for Mars exploration and landing. It can be seen as a harbor. Any materials or personnel wanting to travel from Earth to Mars clearly cannot rely on a single spaceship.

After all, what is the payload capacity of a spaceship?

A mature space station can greatly enhance its carrying capacity and the number of astronauts it can support.

Of course, all of this is premised on the space station being large enough. Otherwise, its carrying capacity and potential for exploration are also limited.

"That is truly great news."

Vice Deputy Chen saw that Ding Yue readily agreed and was overjoyed. He said, "With the rocket recovery technology, the completion of the third phase in 2028 can now be brought forward to 2017, or even potentially completed by the end of this year."

We have secured more than an additional year.

This is indeed fantastic news for the domestic aerospace program’s plans.

Because according to previous planning, without integrating rocket recovery technology into space station expansion and Mars exploration plans, the earliest it could take until 2028, which is two years from now, to mature in the third phase of the space station. Then preparations would have to be made to set off from Earth to explore near Mars, requiring a further year.

Calculated in this way, by the time Xia Country’s Space Administration begins to use the space station to explore Mars, it would already be 2030.

It’s not just this time cost but also the high cost of rocket launches.

However, with rocket recovery technology, rockets can be launched using this technology frequently to carry modules, which optimizes not only time cost but also economic cost considerably.

This is undoubtedly exciting news!

"Director Chen."

Ding Yue suddenly wanted to say something.

"Hmm?"

Vice Deputy Chen stopped walking, turned his head, and looked at Principal Ding, asking, "What’s up?"

"Regarding the space station, can our Feiyue Aerospace obtain one or two astronaut slots?"

Ding Yue did not hold back and directly expressed his thoughts.

Once the space station expands, the number of astronauts that can stay on it is bound to increase. In 2022, there were generally three astronauts on the domestic space station.

By 2024, the space station’s maximum capacity increased to six astronauts, though five generally stayed.

It’s now 2026, and the domestic space station’s maximum capacity has reached ten astronauts, though generally, eight stay at the station.

When the rocket recovery technology is applied to the Space Administration’s rocket launches and space station expansion, the space station’s scale will expand rapidly. By then, the capacity will surely increase, potentially accommodating two teams of astronauts and scientists for Mars exploration.

Ding Yue thought that Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace should surely train their own astronauts, making this a great opportunity.

"This should indeed be considered, given that this rocket recovery technology came from your Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace."

Vice Deputy Chen said with a smile, "We’ll see how many slots there are and then our Space Administration will have a meeting to discuss, seeing if we can allocate some slots for you. How does that sound?"

"Great."

Ding Yue was relieved to hear Vice Deputy Chen say so.

Vice Deputy Chen is a man of his word. Since he indicated that a few astronaut slots for the space station could be allocated to Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace, there shouldn’t be any problem.

This means both parties are getting what they need.

"So, Principal Ding, we’re going to temporarily take your rocket recovery technology team to our Space Administration, okay?"

Vice Deputy Chen jokingly said.

"No problem."

Ding Yue nodded.

In the coming period, the rocket recovery technology team from Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace will work with the Space Administration.

After all, staying on our side, we can only wait for the aerospace launch center to be built before taking any action. Plus, I just agreed to use rocket recovery technology to fully support the Space Administration’s accelerated expansion of the space station.

Since the Space Administration intends to continuously launch rockets for expanding the space station, naturally, they need our rocket recovery technology team to provide full support throughout the process.

During this walk, Ding Yue had many discussions with Vice Deputy Chen.

As the time came around, Secretary Wen Ruohan called Ding Yue to inform him that the celebratory dinner was almost ready, and all staff who participated in the rocket recovery technology project had been invited.

"Director Chen, the celebratory dinner is ready. Shall we go over now?"

Ding Yue invited Vice Deputy Chen.

"Alright, let’s go."

Vice Deputy Chen nodded and then, together with Ding Yue, returned to the parking lot of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center building, took a car, and left the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center for Jiuquan City.

In Jiuquan City, Huang Youjie, the logistics director from Mist City Arts and Science University, with Xu Bin’s assistance and Secretary Wen Ruohan’s arrangements, had prepared the celebratory dinner at the Jiuquan Hotel.

Many staff members gradually arrived at the Jiuquan Hotel for the celebratory dinner, provided with special vehicle service.

This celebratory dinner was held to celebrate the successful experiment of the rocket recovery technology today, with the teams from Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace being the happiest.

The staff from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and Space Administration were also happy for them.

After all, the rocket recovery technology developed by Mist City Arts and Science University is certainly going to be used in the rocket launch missions for the Space Administration. Everyone guessed it right, and Ding Yue and Vice Deputy Chen had already reached a cooperative agreement on this, with Ding Yue directly loaning the team to the Space Administration temporarily.

Everyone was very happy at the celebratory dinner that night.

Ding Yue also drank a few glasses with Vice Deputy Chen and then shared more drinks with the research team members from Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace.

Looking at these young individuals, Ding Yue felt sentimental.

The future surely belongs to these young talents from Mist City Arts and Science University.

They acquire professional knowledge in Mist City Arts and Science University, and after graduation, they apply it. One genius after another is nurtured by Mist City Arts and Science University.

"Your future holds limitless possibilities—the stars and the vast universe await your exploration."

This was Ding Yue’s "evaluation" and expectation for the geniuses from Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace.

At the same time, it represented the future Ding Yue hoped to see.

The aerospace technology researchers from Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Aerospace staff did not engage in aerospace technology research for material gains, but because they harbored grand aspirations toward the vast universe.

Without such lofty ideals, who could devote their life to this industry?

At the celebratory dinner, Ding Yue informed the aerospace technology research team from Mist City Arts and Science University and the Feiyue Aerospace team that they would soon join a major collaborative project with the Space Administration.

"When you arrive at the Space Administration, be sure to cooperate closely and do your utmost. Understand?"

Ding Yue instructed these talented young individuals working under him.

"Understood!"

They responded in unison.

The determination in their eyes was something Ding Yue had seen in the eyes of his students at Mist City Arts and Science University and in Feiyue Group employees.

"Principal Ding, after we go to the Space Administration, can we come back?"

Suddenly, someone asked.

"Of course. It’s not like we’re selling you to the Space Administration. We’re just sending you over temporarily to assist in the collaborative project," Ding Yue replied with a smile.