Chapter 697 Star Chain
If it were a normal commander-in-chief, he would definitely shake his head again and again, impossible, how is it possible, our rocket will never explode!
However, Max is an honest man. To be honest, no matter how careful you are in the design stage or how conscientious you are in the construction stage, accidents may occur during launch. Any small accident may cause an explosion.
In particular, in order to pursue a 60-ton near-Earth carrying capacity, their rocket installed eighteen engines on the first-stage rocket and six more on the second-stage rocket. With so many rocket engines connected in parallel, the failure rate will be higher. .
"If it explodes, the company may face a lot of pressure." Qin Tao said: "You also know that in our country, aerospace is carried out by the government, and private individuals are engaged in aerospace. This is the first time. If we use In our words, that means only success is allowed and failure is not allowed.”
A trace of doubt flashed across Max's face: "Mr. Qin, you promised me before that you can provide us with sufficient financial guarantee!"
"Yes, I promised, but it must be based on success. If the rocket explodes, then our investment will be in vain. Our entire group has more than a dozen subsidiaries and tens of thousands of people. Their eyes are all watching, and they will definitely put a lot of pressure on me. I personally support Starship Company, because my dream is also to land on Mars, but, as you know, I can't have my own way. "
Aerospace is a waste of money, so in the past, it was all done by the state. After all, only the state can continue to invest regardless of the cost. It is common for rocket launches to fail, especially for a brand-new rocket. If the first launch can be a complete success, it must be good. However, if it fails, it is normal. If it fails, try again. After all, failure is the mother of success.
In particular, they have to master the technology of rocket recovery and land the launched rocket back down again, which requires countless failures.
Mr. Qin won’t allow even one failure? How can this be?
At this time, Max's face was very ugly. He even wanted to leave but if he left, where would he find a company willing to invest in him? If he started his own business, he would be starting from scratch. Now that he has created such a big battle, it would be too difficult for him to throw away everything and start over!
Max didn’t want to leave everything behind, so he looked at Qin Tao again: “Mr. Qin, is there no other way?”
"There is a way." Qin Tao said: "We can engage in a profitable project. If our rocket is just a test launch, it would be a waste. We want to launch satellites. We have a carrying capacity of 60 tons. We can Launch a lot of satellites."
Max shook his head: "We can launch it later, but now, it is too difficult to launch a satellite with the first rocket. We will definitely not find a company in the world to insure us. If it fails, the insurance company will pay a large sum of money. The risk is too high." ”
“It can be in the later stage, but it needs to be publicized now, so that even if the first rocket fails, the group can still see the prospects. When we build a starship company, we have to make money.” Qin Tao said.
“Well, that’s okay. So, let’s contact commercial launch now?”
“Even if there are insurance companies willing to insure the satellites we launch, do you think there will be any satellite companies willing to give us their precious satellites?”
Qin Tao’s question made Max think again. Yes, Mr. Qin was right! Many of the concepts of their Starship company are not recognized by others. Even if they build duplicate rockets to reduce costs, no company dares to be the first to try and hand over their precious satellites to Starship company for launch. After all, even if they get the premium, they have wasted time! For a company operating normally, it cannot afford to wait for the second satellite to be manufactured, and the compensation is not enough to cover the losses during this period.
“Then what should we do?” Max was depressed again.
“We build it ourselves.” Qin Tao said: “We build the satellite ourselves and launch it ourselves, so we don’t have to worry about these problems.”
Made it yourself? Max frowned. It was not easy to build a satellite by yourself. It also required starting from scratch and cost a lot of money. Besides, what is building a satellite for?
“Mr. Max, have you noticed that the Internet is very popular recently?” Qin Tao asked Max.
Why did you suddenly change the topic?
Max was very curious, but after thinking for a moment, he answered honestly: "The Internet has become a global facility. The Internet has great business prospects. The United States is currently building an information superhighway, which will become a technological revolution." , not only allowed the development of American science and technology, but also greatly improved the American economy, and we achieved a fiscal surplus for the first time."
This is a great era, an era of rare economic development and financial prosperity, thanks to the information highway plan.
The existing communication network is from the telephone age and must be changed. High-speed optical fiber must be used to build an advanced national information infrastructure. This is a network that has communication networks, computers, databases and audio-visual electronic equipment and can provide users with huge information. With the seamless network of information, this information revolution will completely change the way people live, work and interact with each other.
It is difficult for people in their 90s to imagine that they can work, shop, entertain, etc. on the Internet.
“So, do you think it is more appropriate to build this network on the ground, or in space?” Qin Tao asked.
Max suddenly understood and became excited.
"The network on the ground is easily affected by natural disasters. For example, during floods and earthquakes, the network is most needed to transmit messages, but it is not available." Marks said: "If a network system is built in the sky, it can be used anytime and anywhere. Provide network access and wider coverage! Whether it is mountains, seas, or polar regions, you will have reliable Internet services. This will be a new revolution! This is much more advanced than maritime satellites!"
The maritime satellite network is a communication system put into use in the early 1990s. It utilizes the limited 34MHz bandwidth frequency resource and provides services for nearly 150,000 communication terminals around the world. On the vast sea, it can provide stable voice communication, data services, and is also interconnected with the public telephone network. Even if it is expensive, it is a necessity for maritime communications.
However, it is still too slow and can only provide simple voice and data services. It cannot provide the speed required by the Internet at all, and there are few access terminals.
If there was a global satellite Internet, it would completely change the entire world!
Max saw its business prospects at a glance. After all, it was Max who originally invented this thing!
"Mr. Qin, if it is such a project, I think it cannot be achieved by relying on synchronous satellites in space. Satellites in geosynchronous orbits such as maritime satellites cannot meet the needs of accessing the Internet anytime and anywhere. We want to To provide a stable network connection, you need a large number of satellites." Max began to plan: "At least tens of thousands of satellites are needed, so that there will be satellites flying across any sky anytime, anywhere!"
Maritime satellites are currently the most advanced civil communication system. In the first generation, only one was launched over each of the three oceans. In this way, there is no problem in middle and low latitudes, but it is difficult to have signals at high latitudes. In the second generation, The third generation still has the same solution, except that there are a few more satellites. These satellites cannot cover the whole world, especially the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Max likes to play with the big ones the most, and just like now, when talking about this kind of advanced satellite that serves the Internet, he immediately started to talk about it endlessly.
“Yes, that’s what I think too. However, 10,000 is only for the initial networking. In the later stage, tens of thousands more will be added. I think at least 40,000 will be enough.”
“That’s right, 40,000, which is the same as the earth’s equatorial circumference!” Max became excited: “Mr. Qin, you really know me best!”
Qin Tao smiled, yes, he did know Max best.
“We all deploy these satellites in low-Earth orbit, which is the easiest way to send and receive signals,” Marks said.
"NO, NO, NO." Qin Tao said three nos in a row: "In low-Earth orbit, it is easily affected by the atmosphere. The orbital life of a satellite may only be a few months. We cannot waste precious satellites. We need to raise the orbital height, and mid-orbital is the most suitable."
Generally speaking, the altitude below 1,000 kilometers is low-Earth orbit. This orbit has a low altitude, so it is easy to launch. Many spacecraft fly in low orbit, including the famous space station. However, because The orbit is low, so it will be affected by the thin air, and the speed will become lower and lower until it finally falls into the atmosphere. The space station often needs to start the engine to adjust the orbit. If there is no fuel, it will fall into the atmosphere soon.
Satellites in medium and high orbits are generally at an altitude of more than 20,000 kilometers. In this kind of orbit, the thin air is almost as thin as a vacuum. Therefore, satellites can fly in orbit for a long time and their lifespan can easily last several years.
The higher one is the geostationary satellite. In order to synchronize with the earth, there is no other way but to launch it to 36,000 kilometers above the equator.
“However, medium and high orbits will cause signal delays and the user experience will be worse.” Max is still firm in his belief.
"Then let's make a compromise, part of the low orbit and part of the medium and high orbit. This takes care of both the user experience and the lifespan. After all, we have to make money and have profitability." Qin Tao said: "What do you think? How about it?"
Max nodded: "Okay, then I'll listen to you. Anyway, our starship thrust is strong enough. Even in medium orbit, we can launch dozens of them at a time!"
“No, we can launch hundreds of satellites at a time. If we want to realize the plan of tens of thousands of satellites, we must reduce the weight of the satellites. The weight of each satellite cannot exceed 300 kilograms. This will make it easier for us to produce on the assembly line.”
Now, who dares to say that satellites can be produced using assembly lines? Satellites are high-tech, and if one part fails, it will cause heavy losses. There are too many such accidents in the aerospace system.
Now, the kind of network satellites Qin Tao and the others want to build need tens of thousands of them. They must be produced in a streamlined manner. If they are too big, the investment in the construction of the assembly line will be too large. Therefore, small ones are suitable. Production.
Furthermore, the smaller it is, the cheaper it is.
Max nodded: "Yes, just a hundred. We want to create the world's first one! Mr. Qin, can you give this project a name?"
At present, the most is two satellites with one rocket, or three satellites with one rocket. Which rocket in the world can launch hundreds of satellites at a time? No matter how big or small we look, it all depends on the quantity!
Anyway, this kind of satellite does not need precise timing services or a definite orbit. There are so many satellites in space, just like herding sheep, just grazing casually. The orbital altitude of the satellites only needs to be fixed, and the specific orbital parameters are completely arbitrary. During launch, just adjust the angle of the rocket every time one is launched, or even keep rotating the rocket, like a fan, to spread out the satellites!
Such a huge plan needs a good name.
"What do you think is a suitable name?" Qin Tao controlled his urge to tell Starlink's name, and let Max do it. In this way, the entire plan is led by Max, and even if foreigners want to cause trouble, they will do so. The trouble with Max, the foreigner.
Max has a great influence in the science and technology community, and now he has become a godfather in the aerospace field. The Starship Company’s goal is Mars, which has become a hot topic around the world. Now, they want to develop Starlink to benefit the world. , there will definitely be support from countless people.
"How about calling it Starlink? Our tens of thousands of satellites will build chains of information transmission in space and on the ground." Max said.
“Okay, then we’ll call it Starlink, Max. Now how about we draft a project statement and announce it to the world?”
“Now? Is this too fast?” Max was a little unprepared.
"Quick? Why so fast? We are building starships to conquer space, and companies will soon follow. Now that we are building star chains, maybe other companies will also have ideas. We must be fast. We must be fast. Show the world that we are original." Qin Tao said: "Moreover, this will also benefit our group's investment. If the starship launch fails, we can also use the Starlink plan to continue injecting funds."
Mingzhou Group has money, but this money cannot be invested endlessly in a subsidiary that can only spend money. Now, Starship Company has to prove its strength and show its bright prospects for the future. They will develop a The current satellite communication network, which is even more powerful than maritime satellites, will establish a space information highway! Each satellite is an extra-large WiFi!
This project must be launched as soon as possible, even if it is only announced to the outside world first to prove that Starship Company is original, this is also good.
Max nodded: "Okay, let's do it immediately. On the eve of the launch of our starship MK1, we draft this project to show that the profitability of our starship company is very strong!"
“Yes, that’s it.” Qin Tao said, “Do it now!”
That afternoon.
The rocket made of stainless steel has appeared in front of the world for the first time. At the open door of the assembly workshop, countless reporters focused their lenses on the unique rocket. Its appearance looks more sci-fi, similar to that of the future world. Advanced rockets will appear.
"Everyone, I am glad that you can come here and participate in our rocket transfer ceremony. We will transfer the rocket from the upright state to the launch pad through the rail vehicle from the assembly workshop. When the time is right, our rocket will be carried out. Launch." Max stood in front of countless microphones, looking at the countless shots below, smiling: "This is a new journey. We will use Starship MK1 to verify launch and recovery technology. This is what we want to enter. The first step to Mars, at the same time, we will also select a group of astronauts to land on Mars!"
The following is very exciting.
Since the end of manned moon landings in the 1960s and 1970s, many people have thought that humans will land on Mars and colonize the entire solar system within the next decade. However, the facts surprised everyone. Since then, not only have humans not landed on Mars, but even returning to the moon has become a luxury. The Red Empire has collapsed, and the U.S. aerospace department has become more and more bloated and inefficient. The vitality no longer exists.
Now, finally, a private rocket company is going to Mars. Landing on Mars in the future can only rely on private spaceflight!
“At the same time, our company will also launch a brand new plan.” Max continued: “In order to benefit mankind and allow mankind to use the advanced Internet anytime and anywhere, we decided to carry out the Starlink project.”
Starlink?
The reporters were stunned for a moment, and then realized: This will be a brand new plan. Starship Company is indeed a high-tech company, and it has repeatedly proposed refreshing plans!
"We will deploy tens of thousands of satellites in the earth's medium and low orbits. These satellites will receive signals from the ground and send corresponding network content. We will initially deploy 12,000 satellites and plan to complete them from 1999 to 2004. These satellites form a star chain to provide advanced Internet services. No matter where on the earth, whether it is the boundless desert or the ocean, whether it is the North Pole or the Antarctic, the signals sent by our star chain satellites will be received!"
There was a commotion down there.
12,000 pieces, what does this mean? It will be more than all the satellites launched since the first satellite was launched by mankind combined! How many satellites are there in total in space now? A thousand? Definitely no more than two thousand, just a fraction of the star chain!
"Among them, 1,584 are deployed at an altitude of 550 kilometers above the earth. They are mainly used to improve network quality. The remaining more than 10,000 are deployed at an orbital altitude of about 20,000 meters. These satellites will become Starlink satellites. Backbone. We predict that after the launch of these satellites, countries will no longer need to expend huge efforts to build ground-based Internet systems. As long as they open an account, they can use our advanced Starlink satellites!"
Whether it can be realized or not, let’s brag first. This will definitely raise a large amount of funds, and their starship company will have sufficient funds to carry out further research.
The reporters were in shock and had not yet realized what this meant, but Max had already continued to introduce it.
"This is just the beginning. In order to provide better services and meet the plan for hundreds of millions of terminals to access our Starlink network, we will launch 30,000 more Starlink satellites in the future, and the total number of Starlink satellites will exceed 40,000. Building A more stable space network system!”
Twelve thousand are just an appetizer!
Constructing the Internet on the ground requires laying a large number of optical fibers and crossing various complex terrains. It is difficult to cover the entire country, let alone the oceans and polar regions. However, the Internet in space can easily do this.
This explosive news spread all over the world that afternoon!
The information highway in the United States has just begun to be laid, and the Internet in the East is only limited to a group of people, schools, Internet cafes, institutions, etc. that have become rich first, and has not yet spread to ordinary families. At this time, Starlink The company is going to build a global Starlink plan so that users anywhere in the world can access the Internet anytime and anywhere. What a spectacular plan this is!
Many people were inspired.
At Starship Company, Qin Tao finished his day's work and took his wife to the beach near the company. This area has not yet been developed and is relatively secluded. While sunbathing, Zhao Ling felt the rare tranquility.
“Brother Tao, I’m afraid this will stir up a global storm, right?”
“Yes, our place is about to become a vortex of storm.” Qin Tao said.
“So, is it possible for us to succeed?”
"Then what do you think? Under the joint strangulation of those aerospace giants, the Starlink project will definitely go bankrupt, but during the negotiations, they will also have to make concessions. If they still dare to insist on strangulating our Beidou, Then we will not back down, even if the space is filled with garbage, we will continue the Starlink project! Could they still have a missile come over and destroy our Starship Company?"
“For Beidou, are our sacrifices too high?”
"So we have to let Max take the blame. He proposed the plan, and he is a person who likes to get into trouble." Qin Tao said: "Once you decide on one thing, you will never look back. So, let's first Let’s spend the holidays here and let Max draw the firepower.”
“Brother Tao, what do you think of this Starlink project?”
“If it is a product of our company, then of course we have to support it. If it is a product of another company, then we will strongly oppose it. After all, this thing poses too great a threat to space.”
(End of this chapter)