“10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1.”
"ignition!"
"take off!"
Just after midnight on May 18, 1980, staff at the Suzhou Satellite Launch Center refueled the rocket. At the same time, 9,500 kilometers away in the western Pacific test area, China's survey ships Yuanwang 1 and 2 and the Xiangyanghong 10 oceanographic research ship slowly entered. The remaining ships also appeared at their designated positions, taking on security and vigilance tasks.
The preparations lasted until 10 o'clock in the morning. As the command center counted down to the launch, China's first independently developed long-range carrier rocket took off from the neighboring desert, crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, cut through the blue sea and sky, and flew to the target sea area.
A group of researchers, including Su Qingyun, looked at the direction where the rocket left and did not take their eyes off for a long time. They were both nervous and expectant. This was the first time that China had conducted such a long-distance carrier rocket launch test. This carrier rocket also carried the dreams of countless Chinese people and the hard work of countless scientists.
Everyone is waiting for a satisfactory result.
During the rocket's flight, it successfully completed a series of procedures in the air, including separation between rocket stages, engine shutdown, and separation of the rocket head. After flying accurately according to the predetermined orbit for about 30 minutes, the radar and telemetry equipment of the observation ship in the experimental sea area discovered the target.
Soon, the rocket data cabin splashed down accurately on the designated ocean surface, setting off a water column nearly 100 meters high. The data cabin was quickly salvaged, which represented that my country had achieved the leap of extending the space tracking and control network from land to ocean, and it also represented that this rocket launch test was a complete success.
The successful launch of the first long-range carrier rocket means that my country has become the third country in the world to possess long-range carrier rockets. It also means that my country has the first generation of intercontinental strategic missiles. This is of far-reaching significance for the country's strength and international status.
After the news reached the Suzhou Satellite Launch Center, the waiting researchers were silent for a long time. Then someone looked around as if waking from a dream and asked, "Did we succeed?"
There was still some uncertainty and doubt in his tone.
"Did we really succeed?"
"It's a success! We did it!"
"Great! Our country's first long-range carrier rocket was launched successfully!"
Screams, applause, cheers, laughter, crying...the sounds were endless.
Everyone rushed to tell each other and celebrate this hard-earned achievement and victory. At this moment, all the hard work and bitterness had long become insignificant and were drowned in the huge joy. Their efforts were not in vain and were all worth it!
Su Qingyun looked at the joyful scene, and her eyes turned red as she laughed.
It’s great, there are countless brilliance and glory here, and it is also the birthplace of dreams and fire.
At this moment, Su Qingyun was truly certain that she wanted to stay here for a long time, watching rockets and satellites launch into space one after another, and watching herself write hard in the history books. Even if it was just a shallow scratch, she would be willing to do so.
The joy after the successful launch of the rocket did not last long. Everyone calmed down and returned to their work and research.
Life is endless and scientific research is worthwhile. In their limited lives, there are still so many things they need to do.
At the meeting, Zhao happily said, "The success of this long-range carrier rocket launch has been highly valued by the higher-ups. They highly praised our launch center and said we did a great job."
"But we can't be complacent. As researchers, we should understand that there's no limit to what we can achieve. We need to put this victory behind us and think about our next steps."
"If you have any ideas, please feel free to speak up."
Chief Zhao looked at the people present. Everyone had a pensive expression on their face and no one spoke rashly.
"Um..." Zhao looked at Su Qingyun who was sitting below and said, "How about Qingyun come first? Young people have imagination, creativity, and quick thinking. Can you set an example for the rest of us?"
"Captain Zhao, I'll speak first. That's just throwing out some ideas." Su Qingyun said helplessly. Then she paused and her expression became serious. "But I do have some ideas."
"Oh? Tell me." Zhao became interested. "What is it about?"
Su Qingyun glanced at the curious crowd, cleared his throat, and spoke seriously, "It's about manned space technology."
Just a few simple words, yet all the researchers in the conference room were stunned.
Zhao Suo unconsciously sat up straight, "Please tell me more."
Su Qingyun stood up, faced everyone, and slowly began to tell the story.
"Regarding manned space flight, let's look back at world history. In 1961, Gagarin from S became the first human to enter space. Since then, manned space flight has become the jewel in the crown of human space technology. Humanity has embarked on a journey of continuous exploration, and our country is no exception."
"In 1963, my country established the Interstellar Navigation Committee, which did a lot of pioneering work and implementation for manned space flight research. Between 1964 and 1966, my country launched a number of biological sounding rockets, carrying animals on several successful suborbital flight tests. These laid the foundation for our manned space flight, not to mention the subsequent Project 714."
"It's just that due to many reasons, the manned space program was shelved. Today, I think manned space flight should become our main research topic."
"We Chinese should also be able to appear in space."
Zhao Suo listened to these words quietly and looked at her with an ambiguous expression.
"Qingyun, scientific research cannot rely solely on ideals and enthusiasm. Manned space flight is a large and complex system engineering project. It is not that easy. From the technical to the economic aspects, manned space flight is still a long way off for us."
"It's indeed far away." Su Qingyun smiled, "but it's not out of reach."
"Who could have imagined a few years ago that we could launch our own rockets and satellites?" Su Qingyun asked him. "Manned space flight isn't a short-term plan; it's a massive undertaking spanning years and decades."
"Technologically, my country has made some progress in the development of launch vehicles and the construction of measurement and control systems. Electronics technology, industrial manufacturing technology, and other related technologies are also advancing rapidly. As for the economy, is there anything more promising than reform and opening up?"
"Now is the time to pick up the manned space program!" Su Qingyun said firmly, "and there is no time to lose!"
After hearing her words, the entire conference room fell silent, and everyone fell into thought.
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