Chapter 44 Space Docking

In the command center, Du Xingyu waited patiently while gnawing bread.

So far, so good. The next most difficult part is the docking of the two space modules!

In space, space module docking is definitely a dangerous operation. The China Space Administration has almost no experience before. If an accident occurs, the mission is likely to fall short!

More than an hour has passed, and the Xingzhou has sent the power space module into the established orbit.

"Everything is normal in the power module, astronauts Wang Tong and Hong Wei report." In the power space module, two astronauts, a man and a woman, reported.

"Start the trial run, adjust the angle, and prepare for docking work." Du Xingyu shouted.

"Roger!" The two of them immediately started to prepare. In half an hour, the life space module will fly.

At the Washington Convention Center, the International Astronautical Congress begins again.

Anderson said on the stage: "Delegate representatives, now we have to discuss a serious issue."

"The International Space Station is our base in space and is crucial to our space research. But the current International Space Station will reach the end of its useful life in three years. So here, we must launch a new space station project."

When the space station project was mentioned at this sensitive time, aerospace representatives from various countries did not speak.

Anderson continued: "We at the National Space Agency have a proposal, led by us, to design a fifth-generation space station than the current International Space Station. Not only will it be more than three times larger in mass than the current International Space Station, it will also have more Function."

This is how the International Space Station was built last time. In fact, everyone knows it very well. Except for the United States, Russia and a few European space powers, other countries have no ability to design and manufacture space stations.

Even if they have the ability, they don’t have the money! In the end, the big countries still have to pay, and the small countries join in to get a spot on the space station.

"I will explain this proposal in detail below..." While Anderson was explaining, a staff member distributed the contents of the proposal to representatives from various countries.

"This..." The expression of the representative of the island country's aerospace research structure changed when he saw the contents of the proposal.

In this proposal, the Americans asked them to pay more than four times as much as last time! But the space given to them is very limited!

"The asking price is too high!" The representative of the Canadian Space Agency was also muttering in his heart. This agreement is even more deceptive than the previous International Space Station!

"We don't agree with this proposal and it must be revised!" Russian Space Agency representative Lomon Losov said directly.

"There are indeed areas in the proposal that need to be revised!" Representatives from the European Space Agency such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany also expressed objections.

Opening this proposal, there are two words "get money" written all over it!

The last time the United States led the International Space Station, Americans contributed money and effort, so all countries enjoyed the success and participated together. When the United States excluded the China Space Administration from joining, they also chose to remain silent.

But this time, the Americans directly reached out to them to ask for money, and they couldn't sit still.

"Everyone, I think this proposal is very complete!" Anderson said in a strong tone. "We in the United States have to bear huge investment in research and development and investment, and we have to send such a huge space station into space. The cost of research and development and maintenance are simply astronomical. Compared with the numbers, what you paid is much less, this is the benefit we give to our friends!”

"Anyone who is willing to join can share this new generation of International Space Station with us!" Anderson's meaning is very obvious. Those who agree are eligible to enter the International Space Station. If they don't agree, then go home and play by yourself!

The representatives were silent again. Seeing that the era of space competition has arrived, if we fall behind other countries at this time, we will definitely lose more in the future...

At this time, German Aerospace Representative Frank said: "Maybe we can discuss it in detail. As far as I know, China is launching a space station. By then, there will be more than one space station operating in space: the International Space Station!"

Frank's words made Anderson look a little ugly, but Lomonosov's words gave him a critical blow. Lomonosov suggested: "It is too early to make a decision at this time. Since the China Space Administration is launching a space station, It’s such an important thing, I think we should pay attention to it.”

"I propose to watch their space station docking video now!"

"This is the International Astronautical Congress, not a TV studio!" Of course Anderson was not happy, but representatives from various countries in the audience agreed.

"I agree!"

“I also think it’s necessary to take a look!”

“Maybe it will help us make better decisions!”

At the insistence of everyone, Anderson had to let people turn on the video to watch the docking of the Tiangong Space Station.

At this moment, the life space module of the Tiangong Space Station has flown to the established orbit and is docking with the power space module.

In the vacuum, the two space station modules are slowly approaching each other. They must keep the closest distance and cannot move too fast to avoid collision.

In the space station, four astronauts performed operations according to the simulation during training.

"Adjust the orientation. The tilt angle is too high. Reduce it by 7 degrees."

"The life space module continues to slow down, and the relative speed of the two modules will reach zero!"

"Prepare the interface and check the sealed cabin!"

In the footage captured by the satellite, the two space station modules are getting closer and closer, and the docking ports have been aligned.

"It must succeed!" The Chinese audience became nervous, as if they were astronauts on the space station, performing docking operations.

"Start docking!" Everyone in the ground command center stared at the satellite screen.

The most critical moment has finally arrived!

Success or failure depends on this!

Outside the power space module, the pipeline-style docking interface extends out, and at the other end, the docking interface of the life space module also extends out.

By operating the space module, the docking interfaces begin to approach. In order to achieve more precise docking, the docking interfaces of the two modules form positive and negative electromagnetic fields, attracting each other.

Millions of people, as well as aerospace experts around the world, are watching this scene!

Under the attention of countless pairs of eyes, the two docking ports were finally connected together. Through clever design, the docking ports fit into each other.

"The connection to the docking port is complete!" An electronic voice sounded in the astronaut's ears.

"Check the air tightness and stability!" The astronauts continued the operation. Only when the air tightness and stability of the docking channel are qualified, the docking is considered complete.

"Checking air tightness..." The detection instrument started to work, some gas entered the docking channel, and the air pressure gauge changed and stabilized after a few seconds.

"The air pressure is stable and there is no air leakage."

"The stability test is completed." Astronaut Zeng Qihui reported, "Command center, the interface test is completed, please open the sealed hatch!"

"Open the sealed hatch!" Du Xingyu commanded.

"Open the sealed hatch!" The astronauts in the two space modules pressed the button at the same time, and the sealed hatches on both sides of the docking channel slowly opened. The four astronauts will truly meet in space!

Thanks to Ziyu Qinyang, The Turtle That Can’t Swim, Ming Du Hai Xue, Floating Life Can Be Like a Dream, Daluo Ziyang, and Promise Is the Bubble That Keeps Bursting.

(End of chapter)

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