Chapter 316 Launch Countdown!
Meanwhile, the Eagle Nation suddenly released a bombshell announcement, declaring they would send pilots to land on the mysterious and unpredictable Mars.
This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves!
It caused an uproar in every corner of the globe.
At first, everyone was skeptical when they heard, after all, landing on Mars is fraught with difficulties!
Not to mention that Mars is far away and the environment is extremely harsh!
Previously, many countries had only remained at the stage of theoretical concepts and preliminary exploration, without any substantive landing achievements.
But before people could recover from their doubts, the Eagle Nation swiftly launched a large-scale, attention-grabbing astronaut recruitment drive domestically.
For a time, the entire Eagle Nation was abuzz, with recruitment posters plastered all over the streets and alleys!
Television and the internet rolled out exciting promotional clips!
Calling on aspiring individuals to join this interstellar adventure.
Major aviation clubs and military bases were packed, with countless elites flocking in, eager to prove themselves and determined to succeed.
Such a high-profile move was like blowing the loud horn of an interstellar race, causing the high-level officials of other countries to look on, not daring to be the slightest bit slack.
Countries strictly ordered their intelligence departments, like sharp hounds lurking in the dark night, to keep a close watch on every slight movement of the Eagle Nation's operation!
From pilot selection criteria to spacecraft technical parameters, and even logistics support preparations, everything, no matter how small, was brought under surveillance.
Although the Eagle Nation had suffered repeated setbacks in its technological rivalry with the Dragon Nation, being firmly suppressed like a majestic lion encountering a strong enemy and having its spirit dampened, as the saying goes, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse!
Its profound foundation and massive scientific research system could still not be underestimated!
The aerospace reputation accumulated in the past still lingered like an afterglow; who would dare to look down on it lightly? One naturally had to be on high alert to deal with it.
Far away in the northern ice fields, President Putin, with eyes like torches, was constantly watching the changing international situation!
Hearing of this move by the Eagle Nation, he immediately had his subordinates contact the Dragon Nation to inquire about their views.
But the reply from the Dragon Nation was short and crisp!
"We are busy, no time to pay attention!"
This reply made President Putin frown, filled with confusion.
"The Dragon Nation hasn't made a move for so long, what kind of earth-shattering event are they tinkering with?"
"Now the Eagle Nation is making such a big fuss about an interstellar landing plan, even doing a global live broadcast to show off on the world stage, and the Dragon Nation is also busy with some big event!"
"By comparison, it makes us Russia look like some 'stupid lazybones' who does nothing!"
President Putin immediately summoned the domestic scientific research backbone, his gaze burning as he scanned the room, then asked:
"Do we have any eye-catching scientific and technological achievements on hand? We should bring them out to show our edge to the world, otherwise, in the long run, I'm afraid we will be forgotten in a corner by the world!"
The researchers looked at each other, their expressions slightly embarrassed, and after a moment of hesitation, they replied helplessly:
"Mr. President, we have results, but compared to the elusive advanced gadgets of the Dragon Nation, and the Eagle Nation's determined landing plan, it really is a case of a small witch meeting a big witch, not worth mentioning!"
"Taking them out now would likely be asking for trouble and making a fool of ourselves."
Hearing this, President Putin shrugged helplessly, waved his hand, and sighed:
"Forget it, forget it, then we will just be peace-of-mind spectators watching the fun!"
But curiosity got the better of him, and President Putin turned to ask his think tank:
"What are your opinions on the Eagle Nation's landing plan?"
"In your view, what is the probability of their success?"
The Russia experts heard this, straightened their backs, cleared their throats, and recounted the latest news from the intelligence agency:
"Your Excellency, the one undertaking this landing plan is the Musk Aerospace Company. This guy has been rooted in the aerospace field for a long time, focused on researching manned aerospace technology, ambitious, attempting to build a commercial empire for future interstellar tourism; his ideas are quite ahead of the curve."
"However, he hasn't tripped less along the way; the number of failures is like the stars, far exceeding the number of successes, just like a reckless adventurer groping and hitting walls in the dark."
"So, whether this plan can succeed is really hard to predict."
"But if he crashes, the global live broadcast will be a massive disaster, and the Eagle Nation will probably become the laughingstock of the whole world!"
President Putin listened to this analysis, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, a glimmer of anticipation flashing in his eyes!
He became even more interested in this live broadcast full of variables!
Inside the Musk Aerospace Company.
At this moment, it was brightly lit, the atmosphere heavy yet revealing a bit of excitement.
A group of high-level Eagle Nation officials filed in. The politicians, usually in suits and ties with cold expressions, gathered here, standing shoulder to shoulder with the researchers who were wearing white coats, their faces tired but filled with determination.
Musk, this legendary figure with mixed reviews in the aerospace industry, stood in the center of the crowd. Although his figure was slightly thin, his eyes were burning like torches, revealing a desperate determination.
In the past, he and President Biden had had their share of bumps and confrontations over various interest distributions, just like two fighting tigers competing for territory!
But now, facing the critical moment concerning national glory and interstellar hegemony, the two tacitly put aside their grudges, shook hands, and were willing to give their all for the Eagle Nation's interstellar journey.
President Biden stood by the window, looking at the vast, boundless test site outside the company, and could not help but recall the negative news that used to fill newspaper headlines—
"Explosion!"
"Rocket explosion!"
"Experiment failed!"
Words like these tested his confidence in Musk time and time again.
Although Musk had patted his chest this time, swearing that the Mars landing technology had been tempered many times and repeatedly tested, and was already quite mature, the trace of worry in President Biden's heart still lingered like a ghost!
Like a cold poisonous snake, coiling in his heart, flicking its tongue from time to time!
Reminding him that if this operation failed, the Eagle Nation would inevitably lose face before the whole world and fall into an irrecoverable abyss of public opinion.
While he was feeling uneasy, Musk's assistant hurried over, footsteps rapid, breaking the slightly dull silence in the room, and reported to Musk:
"BOSS, everything is ready!"
"Our spacecraft fuel supply is sufficient, supplies are fully stocked, from special spacesuits to precision scientific instruments, from high-energy food to life support systems, nothing has been missed."
"And NASA has precisely locked in that the most suitable launch window is in one week!"
As everyone knows, Blue Star and Mars run along their respective orbits in the vast universe!
The relative position between the two is unpredictable, sometimes far and sometimes near; only when the relative distance is closest and the orbital angle fits perfectly is the best time to launch!
And such a good opportunity generally only appears once every two years or so!
Although Musk had previously bragged that their technology was quite solid and they didn't need to wait for the window, having this window period could greatly increase the success rate of the launch!
President Biden, upon hearing this, saw a smile bloom on his tense face!
As if the haze was dispelled by the warm sun, he let out a long sigh and exclaimed:
"It seems that God is also favoring us this time, standing on our side!"