Chapter Five Hundred and Ninety-Five: Buying 30,000 Mu of Land

Vandenberg Air Force Base is located on the coast of southern California, just north of Cape Aguelo, with an area of ​​about 280 square kilometers and a coastline of nearly 51.5 kilometers.

In the United States, the famous Cape Canaveral launch site is as famous as Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The Cape Canaveral launch site is located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the east coast of the United States, and Vandenberg Air Force Base is located in the west coast of California. The former is the East Range of the US Air Force, as well as the famous Kennedy Space Center, while Vandenberg It is the West Range of the U.S. Air Force and the second largest space launch center in the United States.

The geographical location here is special, and it can launch high-inclination orbit and polar orbit satellites westward. In 1972, it was selected as the space shuttle launch base on the west coast of the United States.

Unlike Kennedy Launch Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base does not support civilian launches and is an Air Force experimental launch site.

At this time, Vandenberg Air Force Base has just completed the construction of the space launch platform No. 11, which is erecting this behemoth - the latest super-heavy launch vehicle "Hercules 1".

Vandenberg Base has launched the American historical landmark Thor medium-range ballistic missile, and has also launched a number of Hercules launch vehicles, witnessing the most glorious moment of the United States.

Today, the Hercules series of rockets are back on a global scale, underscoring the still-brilliant American ambitions.

Shanahan looked up at the giant launch vehicle in front of him with satisfaction in his eyes.

Over the years, the Pentagon's investment has finally paid off. Now that the global space exploration boom is heating up, it is very necessary for them to show their strength around the world.

Hercules 1 is a two-stage rocket with a total length of 60 meters and a diameter of 7.6 meters. The thrust of the rocket engine reaches 1,330 tons, and the take-off weight of the rocket reaches 1,170 tons.

This is just a two-stage rocket to reach such a terrifying take-off weight.

But that's not the full capability of the new Hercules launch vehicle.

The Hercules 2 designed by Kane is the most powerful. The three-stage launch vehicle can reach a total length of 130 meters. The diameter of the first-stage rocket is 15 meters, which is more than the Saturn 5 that sent astronauts to the moon. The number is even bigger, and the rockets at all levels can be recycled and reused. That is the most powerful capability of the new Hercules rocket.

Today's tasks do not require the use of the Hercules 2 launch vehicle for the time being.

On the Hercules 1 rocket,

Also fixed the target of this launch: the Falcon space-based spacecraft.

The diameter of the spacecraft is about 4 meters. It is similar to the shape of an aircraft. It also carries a powerful space-based laser weapon inside, which can attack satellites in space. In addition, it also carries warheads of hypersonic weapons and weapon systems. Command platform.

If necessary, they can use small launch vehicles to send nuclear warheads and tungsten rods into the Falcon, and the deterrence is self-evident.

This is the most important part of the Pentagon's Falcon program and the key to entering the second phase of the Falcon program.

Huaxia's achievements in space exploration, as well as the successful docking of the Army Ant Group's aerospace plane with the Lingxiao space station, made them a little anxious.

Therefore, the Falcon plan was accelerated and released in front of the global view in advance to show off the muscles. The plan was a bit crazy, but in order to maintain the advantage, we had to take risks.

"finished."

Kane came to Shanahan's side with an indifferent expression. It seemed that his work was about to amaze the world, and he wouldn't care too much.

As for the failure of the rocket launch, he never thought about it, he has full confidence in his efforts for so many years

"Are you ready to launch?" Shanahan asked.

"Yes." Kane nodded coldly.

Shanahan's indifference to Kane was already accustomed to it, and without his urging, the group headed towards the launch control center.

Some of the people in the launch control center were transferred from the Kennedy Launch Center, and some were experts in the military's missile launch. In order to maximize the success rate of this launch, they made the most adequate preparations.

At this time, the atmosphere in the launch center was a little tense.

Even if they are experienced, they cannot be calm, because they know the significance of this launch. If Hercules 1 is successfully launched, their country will gain global deterrence. If it fails, the consequences will be disastrous.

For fear of failure, the launch did not dare to be broadcast live by the media.

Now that they are ready, through the large screen in the control center, they can clearly see Hercules 1 leaning against the launch tower alone.

Time passed by in the waiting seconds, and soon it was time to launch.

Shanahan sat quietly in his seat, quietly watching the commander announce that he was ready to launch. As the countdown began, his palms clenched unconsciously.

At this moment, he was also a little nervous, staring straight at the big screen.

"...3...2...1..."

"ignition!!"

Hearing the commander's final ignition, Shanahan lifted his heart, and the others also showed nervous expressions. Only Kane sat in the seat, holding the coffee expressionlessly, and glanced at the big one without any fluctuations in his eyes. Screen.

puff puff...

With the successful ignition of the rocket, the cooling water below evaporated instantly, and the water vapor formed a huge cloud that enveloped the entire launch tower. I saw Hercules 1 carrying the 'Falcon', slowly rising beside the cloud-filled launch tower. .

Everyone's eyes rose with the rise of Hercules No. 1, and the atmosphere did not dare to breathe.

The tens of seconds after the ignition starts is the most important. Many rocket accidents occur at this stage.

Hercules No. 1, in the eyes of everyone, the height continues to rise until the sky.

It was not until the ground camera could see the shadow of Hercules 1 that Shanahan's heart relaxed a little, and he showed a smile. At least there was no problem in the take-off stage, and the first dangerous period was safely passed, and then it was time to wait for the result. .

The next day, the Pentagon announced that the Hercules 1 successfully launched the 'Falcon' into the predetermined Earth orbit in space.

The news once again shocked the world.

"The Falcon space-based weapon platform successfully entered the scheduled orbit! 》

"Superpowers are always superpowers! 》

"U.S. Starts Falcon Program"

...

Countless Western media reported frantically, almost all of which were describing the strength of the United States, as if they were about to blow it up.

After NASA announced the successful launch of the space station core module Zeus, now it is the United States, this time sending the more terrifying and larger 'Falcon' space armed warship into space.

If the space station is a peaceful use of space, then the launch of the Falcon is a sword of Damocles hanging over the world.

With a moving weapons platform right above the head, no one can sleep peacefully.

Countries that are at odds with the United States collectively oppose the United States launching space-based weapons into space, and even sued the United Nations for the peaceful use of space. However, it is of no use.

The global atmosphere became more nuanced as the American Falcon successfully entered its intended orbit.

The balance that was originally balanced seems to be tilted a little bit toward the United States, but it is not enough to completely unbalance the balance.

"I came here this time to discuss the order." Li Chengzhi sat in Chen Mo's office, his voice as low as possible, and a little cautious, as if he was afraid that someone next to him could hear him.

"Huh? Did you give you instructions?" Chen Mo asked.

"Yes, the order has come down." Li Chengzhi did not deny it.

"Tell me, how many?"

The order they are talking about now is the order for aerospace planes.

During the last test flight, Li Chengzhi asked Chen Mo if the aerospace plane was for sale, and Chen Mo gave him a price to report back. Now, Li Chengzhi came to Chen Mo again with the above instructions. Obviously, there was a result.

"Four."

"Hey...really?"

Chen Mo couldn't help but be slightly surprised.

The price he gave was 24 billion units, and the above was a one-time purchase of 4 units, an order of nearly 100 billion.

"Really." Li Chengzhi affirmed.

"It's a local tyrant." Chen Mo muttered.

What Chen Mo thought was that this order was related to the successful launch of the 'Falcon' into orbit by the United States.

Americans began to develop space-based weapons, they must have countermeasures, in case they are attacked, they can have the means and strength to fight back.

Aerospace weapons, the best platform now is the aerospace plane, which is also the fastest means of checks and balances.

Although there are anti-satellite weapons and missiles, it is definitely a good thing to have one more countermeasure and trump card.

Problems that can be solved with money are not problems.

But 4 aircraft are a bit too many, that is a gold swallowing beast, and it is a lot of money to support 4 aerospace planes. According to common sense, the number of 2-3 is the best, one out of the mission, one spare, if you are afraid of failure, you can add another one.

After thinking about it, all Chen Mo can think of is to use one for research and the other for aerospace engineering tasks.

"How? Can you take this order?" Li Chengzhi asked.

"Take it, why don't you take it if you have money?" Chen Mo agreed without hesitation.

The above is eager for an aerospace plane to enrich the national defense force, and he has no reason not to agree.

"How long will it take to get it out?"

"Four, it will take nearly half a year at the earliest." Chen Mo said.

Although he is now in automated production, that thing is terribly complicated, one per month is already the limit, but in order to ensure quality and safety, it must be slowed down and postponed for two months.

"Don't you still have one in production?" Li Chengzhi said.

"The idea of ​​hitting that plane so soon." Chen Mo smiled helplessly: "How impatient you are."

"No way." Li Chengzhi spread his hands and smiled.

"That one is used by my space center as a backup. If you want that one, it is not impossible to give it to you, but I have an unkind request." Chen Mo said.

"What unkind request?"

"Sell me the mountain forest from the space center to the seaside. I simply looked at it. It's about 30,000 mu."

"..."

"Don't look at me like that, I used to expand the space center, and it feels a little small now."

"..."

"I don't have flowers on my face. I want to develop a bigger spaceship for the future."

"..."

Li Chengzhi can't laugh or cry, the terrible guy is so domineering even when he buys land. Buying 30,000 mu at one time, I really dare to speak. However, the research land for top technology is very cheap, and the country also has many preferential policies. Chen Mo, this guy, can really afford it.

"I'll go back and ask."

After seeing Li Chengzhi away, Chen Mo also went to the research institute in Building 1.

The aerospace plane is complete, and he is preparing for his next phase of goals: to go to space, to the moon.

Now is just the beginning, the universe has endless secrets and resources, and this step is a must to go out and prepare for the future.