"Chen Feng, you're not playing games with me, are you? I've been by your side these past few days, and I haven't noticed anything different. I feel like the launch processes for military satellites and commercial satellites are pretty much the same. If there's any difference, it's that military satellite launches involve more security issues, and you can't easily let outsiders know the satellite's specific coordinates or functions. Civil satellites are different; they can be leased to other countries, so there's no need to be secretive. It's that simple. But you're saying that military satellite launches and functions are worlds apart from civil satellites? I really don't see it."
Hong Lingjun replied, full of confusion.
"On the surface, they are similar. In reality, military satellite launches are technically far superior to civil satellites. This isn't just true for satellites; it's the case in many other areas as well. For example, military communication technology is much more advanced than civilian communication technology. Military medicine is much better than civilian medicine. There's an unwritten rule: once military mature technology gives birth to new technologies, they can gradually be adapted for civilian use. From this perspective, I've seen a highlight in this military satellite launch. By combining this highlight with American space launch technology and making slight improvements, I can develop a new rocket launch technology. This launch technology can be used for civilian purposes and then fed back to military satellites."
Chen Feng said earnestly.
"Chen Feng, did I hear you correctly? You want to develop civil satellites and then feed the latest technology back to the military?"
Hong Lingjun asked, greatly surprised.
"Yes, that's the plan."
Chen Feng replied with a calm smile.
"But you also said earlier that not just China, but all countries, develop technology by prioritizing military first, then civilian. How come yours is reversed? Also, what exactly did you see from the previous military satellite launch that gave you such a bold idea?"
Hong Lingjun asked, full of doubt.
At the same time, he was in awe of Chen Feng.
This young man's thinking realm was too high.
To be blunt, even he, the commander of the Chinese military, couldn't figure out what Chen Feng was thinking.
"Commander Hong, according to general patterns, it is indeed military first, then civilian. However, there are always exceptions. Sometimes, certain civilian technologies are also very powerful and then feed back into the military. For example, Wi-Fi technology was first used in civilian applications and only later gradually applied to the military. Of course, the Wi-Fi used in the military is more advanced than the civilian version. Civilian Wi-Fi passwords can be easily cracked. However, military Wi-Fi passwords cannot be easily cracked. As for what I saw at the military satellite launch site this time that gave me a new technological idea, it's simple. I carefully watched the entire process of a military satellite launch. I believe that China's satellite launch processes, whether military or civilian, are world-leading. After all, China is a major space power, without a doubt. But the problem is, there's a small drawback. The launch cost is too high. The reason is that the rocket cannot be reused after each launch. My point is, if China's satellite launch rockets could be reused, it would greatly close the gap with American space technology. Currently, the only entity in the world that can achieve rocket reuse is America."
Chen Feng said with firm conviction.
"Chen Feng, did I hear you correctly? You had such a bold idea and discovery just by watching one military satellite launch?"
Hong Lingjun was taken aback.
"Yes, to be honest, Commander Hong, I watched the military satellite launch very carefully, without the slightest bit of carelessness. After watching, I found that the Chinese military is making efforts in rocket recovery. Unfortunately, they haven't grasped the key point, so there hasn't been a breakthrough. I happen to have an engineering background and have studied America's Falcon booster. Combining that with the Chinese military's attempts in this area, I believe that if I establish a civilian satellite launch company, I can definitely build a reusable rocket. Once it's built, I will transfer the technology to the Chinese military free of charge."
Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Is that true? That's amazing?"
Hong Lingjun's worldview was shattered.
Rocket recovery technology is the second most advanced technology after cold fusion. Only America possesses this technology.
Although this technology is held by American civilian companies, the technology itself is very tightly guarded. Years have passed, and the technology has not been leaked.
Chen Feng actually has research insights into this technology.
His technological talent is too incredible!
It seems he had underestimated Chen Feng. He thought Chen Feng was only skilled in political maneuvering and military affairs, but he didn't realize Chen Feng was also full of talent in high technology.
"It's true, Commander Hong. I pay close attention to cutting-edge technologies in my daily life. After paying attention for a long time, I've gained a little bit of insight."
Chen Feng replied humbly.
"Can you briefly explain the principle of rocket recovery? To be honest, I haven't figured out the principle of rocket recovery all these years. It's too advanced; my brain just isn't enough."
Hong Lingjun asked with excitement and curiosity.
"Commander Hong, actually, the principle of rocket recovery is not complex at all. It can be roughly divided into five steps: 1. Separation: When the booster leaves the atmosphere, at an altitude of at least 80,000 meters, the booster begins to detach, but it doesn't immediately descend. It will continue to glide upwards for another 80,000 meters. 2. Flip: The thruster will emit cold air to adjust its direction, pointing its rear towards Earth. 3. Acceleration: Three of the engines (out of a total of nine) will ignite, reaching a speed of 3,000 miles per hour, flying towards the landing point. 4. Burn: The booster re-enters the atmosphere, and air resistance will cause the engines to burn. Landing legs will then deploy, and the speed will be reduced to 560 miles per hour, with the direction perpendicular to the ground. 5. Landing: As the last engine burns out, the speed will have dropped to 5 miles per hour. Landing gear will extend, and compressed helium will be sprayed from the tail. In essence, these five steps are used to reduce the booster's descent speed. By reducing the speed, it won't be damaged by air friction."
Chen Feng explained earnestly.
"Chen Feng, your technological talent is truly wasted if you don't engage in technological invention."
Hong Lingjun said instinctively.
"Commander Hong, actually, I have also considered this issue, to dedicate myself to technological research and development for China. But on second thought, I've decided against it."
Chen Feng sighed.
"Tell me, why did you decide against it?"
Hong Lingjun asked curiously.
"Commander Hong, you are not an outsider, so I won't hide anything from you. I'll tell you the truth directly. In fact, China doesn't lack technological inventors; there are too many brilliant minds in China's technology sector. But why is China's technology always lagging behind America? The root cause lies in the problems within China's political landscape. For example, why does America have technological geniuses like Musk? One reason is that America's political landscape allows for a financial magnate in technology like Musk to exist. China's political landscape is not like that. As soon as China's political landscape sees a technology company grow too large, its first thought is to suppress and control it, to prevent it from becoming too powerful. Consequently, Tencent merged with China Unicom, and Jack Ma was merged into the Hangzhou State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission... there are many such examples. Furthermore, China's political landscape emphasizes interpersonal relationships and extends these relationships into the scientific community. For instance, a female scientist in China was repeatedly unable to be elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences simply because she didn't know how to manage interpersonal relationships. Out of frustration, she went to the United States and was immediately elected as an academician of the American Academy of Sciences, receiving substantial subsidies from the U.S. government. Such incidents are numerous. Ultimately, it all boils down to one point: the chaos in China's political landscape hinders the long-term development of China's technology. Therefore, my idea is to gradually enter the higher echelons of China's political landscape and then carry out a thorough reform of the entire system. Once China's political landscape becomes similar to America's, China will truly and completely rise."
Chen Feng explained patiently.
Hong Lingjun was once again impressed.
He never expected Chen Feng, at such a young age, to have such grand ambitions.
"By the way, Chen Feng, why not let the Chinese military directly develop this rocket recovery technology instead of establishing a private company to research it? Isn't that an unnecessary step?"
Hong Lingjun asked, seizing the opportunity with apparent confusion.