205: Chapter 205 The "Soul" of Heaven

Su Chen stepped back onto the stage.

Technical parameters are dry, but what I want to tell everyone is this: the true core of the tianting project is not the rocket, nor the satellite, but the intelligence.

The big screen switched to display the AI control system.

We view the entire satellite network as a distributed computing system, Su Chen explained. Every satellite is a node in this system, providing both communication services and computing services.

He gave an example:

Suppose you are on a cruise ship in the South China Sea and want to video call your family in Beijing. In a traditional satellite network: the signal goes up to the satellite, the satellite transmits to a ground station, the ground station transmits via fiber optics to Beijing, then it goes up to a satellite again, and down to the cruise ship—the path is long, and the latency is high.

With the tianting project network: your signal goes up to the nearest satellite, the satellite uses a laser link to jump across several satellites in space, transmitting directly to the satellite above Beijing, and then down to your home. The path is shortened, and the latency is reduced.

More importantly, Su Chen emphasized, this path selection is calculated in real-time by AI. Based on network load, satellite status, and weather conditions, it dynamically selects the optimal path. It is just like the TCP/IP protocol of the internet, but in space.

In the audience, an expert from the European Space Agency raised a hand: Mr. Su, for such a complex system, how many people does the control center need?

Initially, a ground control center of 500 people is needed, Su Chen said. But in five years, our goal is fully automated operation. The ground center will only handle monitoring and major decision-making, leaving daily operations to the AI.

Is this possible? The space environment is complex, and the failure rate is very high.

That is why we need intelligent satellites. Every satellite can perform self-diagnosis, self-repair, and self-optimization. Even if some satellites fail, the network can automatically reconfigure to ensure service is not interrupted.

Su Chen finally dropped the bombshell:

The tianting project network will be open to the world, but we reserve one right: access management based on national security and foreign policy.

Reporters immediately captured the key information.

Mr. Su, do you mean that some countries may not be able to access it?

Yes, Su Chen said frankly. If a country implements unfriendly policies toward China or threatens our national security, we can restrict its access to the tianting project network.

Doesn't this contradict the concept of technology for the public good?

It does not, Su Chen shook his head. Technology has no borders, but companies have nationalities. Apple, Google, and Microsoft also comply with the laws of America and restrict services in certain countries. We will similarly comply with Chinese laws and international obligations.

He paused: But I believe most countries will make the wise choice. Because what the tianting project provides is a tangible development opportunity—allowing remote areas to access the internet, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in global trade, and letting students access global knowledge.

The press conference in Command Center was still ongoing, but Musk, far away in America, was not calm. Su Chen's plan was an enhanced version of his own Starlink project. He was still in the exploration stage, while Su Chen was preparing to launch satellites on a large scale. This was practically cutting him off.

Boca Chica Village, Texas, America.

This was the test base for SpaceX's Starship. Inside a crude shed office, Musk was watching the live stream of the Command Center press conference.

When Chief Designer Zhou displayed the rocket comparison data, the coffee cup in Musk's hand paused in mid-air.

Recovered 50 times? he muttered to himself. A breakthrough in materials?

When he saw the satellite's laser communication speed of 100Gbps, he put down his cup and pulled up the technical documentation for Starlink.

Starlink's laser link was still in the testing phase, with a speed target of 10Gbps, and the actual speed might be even lower.

100Gbps, this was a difference in magnitude.

Musk dialed an internal call: Get the head of the materials department here. Also, the laser communication team.

Five minutes later, the two heads hurried over.

Boss, you called for us?

Musk pointed to the screen: China's Star Rocket has released this data. How much of it is authentic?

The materials expert looked at the data, brow furrowed: Recovered 50 times... If their material data is true, it is indeed possible. But that kind of high-temperature alloy—we haven't even broken through that in our laboratory stage.

The laser communication lead was even more shocked: 100Gbps? This requires extremely high signal-to-noise ratio and precision. Our prototype is still struggling at 10Gbps.

Musk was silent.

He knew China was progressing rapidly in the aerospace field, but he didn't expect it to be this fast.

What is their timeline? he asked.

On the screen, Su Chen was announcing: The first prototype of the tianlong-1 is already in final assembly, assisted by Xingchen Heavy Industry. In three months, that is, July 15th, it will make its maiden flight in Command Center. At that time, it will carry 12 test satellites into orbit at once.

Three months... Musk repeated. From announcement to maiden flight, only three months. This shows they have been ready for a long time, just waiting for the right moment to release it.

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the Starship prototype was being assembled, looking like a giant stainless steel water tower. This project had been delayed for two years, with cost overruns and constant technical difficulties.

And over there in China, not only did they have reusable rockets, but they were also going to build a network of 20,000 satellites.

We are behind, Musk said softly.

Not just a year or two, but perhaps five or six years.

Boss, then we... the materials expert asked cautiously.

Accelerate, Musk turned around, eyes sharp. Accelerate all projects. I want to see the orbital test flight of Starship within half a year. Double the launch frequency of Starlink. Also—contact NASA, we need more funding and more policy support.

He knew this space race had just entered a white-hot phase.

The press conference drew to a close.

Su Chen returned to the center of the stage.

I know many people don't believe it, he looked at the audience. They don't believe we can build a rocket that can be recovered 50 times, don't believe we can launch 20,000 satellites, and don't believe we can have a maiden flight in three months.

He paused and smiled.

Then please remember today: April 15, 2018. And then, three months later on July 15, please look at the sky over Command Center again.

The big screen displayed a countdown: 91 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes.

The numbers began to tick.

By then, we will live-stream the entire launch process. From the rocket ignition to the satellite entering orbit, to the first communication test, Su Chen said. Everything will be conducted in the sunlight.

He said finally:

The tianting project is not just a commercial project; it is a step for humanity to expand into space. We believe that space should not be monopolized by a few countries, the internet should not have geographical boundaries, and technology should benefit everyone.

Of course, this road is very difficult. But because it is difficult, it is worth doing.

Thank you, everyone.

Thunderous applause.

It lasted for a full three minutes.

After the press conference ended, global media headlines updated:

China Announces tianting project: 20,000 Satellites to Challenge SpaceX Starlink

Star Rocket Parameters Crush SpaceX, Space Race Enters a New Era

Su Chen's Ambition: From chips to Rockets, to Global Satellite Internet

And within China, public opinion was completely boiling over.

On the Chinese microblogging platform's top ten trending searches, the tianting project occupied six:

#tianting project#

#Star Rocket Crushes SpaceX#

#China's Own Starlink#

#See You in Three Months Su Chen#

#What is the Concept of 20,000 Satellites#

#Technology for the Public Good#

On Zhihu, related questions had over 100 million views.

A highly-liked answer:

In the past, we were always playing catch-up: America had GPS, so we made BeiDou; America had SpaceX, so we made the national team. But this time, Xingchen is in front—not catching up, but leading. This feeling is indescribable. I only want to say: Starry Sea, China is here.

It was late at night.

Command Center Space City was gradually becoming quiet.

But inside the final assembly workshop for the Star Rocket, the lights were bright.

The tianlong-1 prototype rocket had completed 30% of its final assembly. Engineers were working in three shifts, making final preparations for the maiden flight in three months.

Chief Designer Zhou stood on the observation deck on the second floor of the workshop, looking at the rocket below. Chief Designer Zhou was an engineer rewarded by the system and was absolutely loyal to Su Chen.

It was 60 meters tall, 3.7 meters in diameter, entirely white, with the blue characters Xingchen and a flame pattern printed on the rocket body.

Old Zhou, is the pressure high? Su Chen walked over.

Chief Designer Zhou turned his head and smiled: High. But there is more excitement. Mr. Su, do you know? I have worked on rockets my whole life, and my biggest regret was never building a reusable one. Now, the opportunity has come.

Are there any technical difficulties?

There are, but they can be solved, Chief Designer Zhou said. The biggest challenge is actually time. Three months to complete all tests is too tight.

What support do you need?

People, money, and also... Chief Designer Zhou hesitated for a moment, Trust. Mr. Su, if the first time fails, will you still believe in us?

Su Chen looked at the rocket and said slowly: A rocket is not a chip; failure means explosions, costing hundreds of millions or even billions. But what I fear more is not daring to try, and falling behind in the space race.

He turned to Chief Designer Zhou: Old Zhou, I will give you three chances. Three launches, as long as one succeeds, it counts as a win. Money, Xingchen will pay. Responsibility, I will bear.

Chief Designer Zhou's eyes turned red.

He remembered when he was on the national team, every launch required layers of approval, and failure meant writing self-criticisms and taking responsibility. Many people preferred to be conservative rather than take risks.

But here, Su Chen said: I will give you three chances.

Mr. Su, Chief Designer Zhou's voice choked, Once is enough. We will definitely succeed.

Good. Su Chen patted his shoulder, Then three months later, let the world see.

The two stood side by side, looking at the rocket in the workshop.

Outside the window, the night sky over the South China Sea was dotted with stars.

Those stars, in the near future, would be surrounded by 20,000 artificial satellites.

And the spark that ignited all of this was right here in this workshop, quietly waiting for the moment to launch into the sky.