Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, leading the technology war

Chapter 590 The Trillion-Dollar Asteroid Defense System Project – I, Hu Jiangshan, Have Taken It!

Hu Jiangshan asked Zhao Ruijing if she had eaten.
Zhao Ruijing didn't stand on ceremony with Hu Jiangshan, saying she hadn't eaten yet and had been working on her speech.

So Hu Jiangshan also ordered a cup of coffee and a light meal for Zhao Ruijing.

The two of them eat and chat at the same time, which makes the atmosphere even better.

Hu Jiangshan's emotional intelligence is far superior to that of his previous life; they are incomparable.

Hu Jiangshan said, "Professor Zhao, I really didn't expect that we would start the construction of the asteroid defense system so soon. I thought this matter would be delayed for several years before it was assessed."

Zhao Ruijing sighed: "There hasn't been a formal project assessment yet. As you can see, this technical exchange meeting was mainly for discussion, and it's still some distance from formal project approval."

"There's no need to worry about that. Once we take the first step, everything else will fall into place."

Zhao Ruijing smiled: "I can tell, you think that an asteroid defense system is absolutely necessary, right?"

Hu Jiangshan nodded solemnly: "Professor Zhao, what I just said on stage was indeed my understanding, because I had learned before that the threat to Earth from asteroids is very great, and it will only increase, not decrease. If we do not prepare in advance, we may suffer a great loss."

Zhao Ruijing nodded: "Indeed, we really do get along. To be honest, when I first proposed this idea in an internal meeting, quite a few people didn't understand it and thought I was being overly pessimistic. It was only after a long period of discussion that I was able to convince others to support the idea."

Hu Jiangshan nodded.

This matter may seem far-fetched and unbelievable at first glance, but when the evidence is presented to others, it creates a sense of urgency and even unease.

If humanity doesn't prepare early, there's only one outcome: we'll all perish together. This probability will increase over time until it becomes unstoppable.

Zhao Ruijiang sighed again: "But we've only entered the discussion stage now, it's not even a forum yet. It will probably take a long time before the plan is fully developed and a consensus is reached. I really don't know if we'll make it in time."

Hu Jiangshan took a sip of coffee and said, "Professor Zhao, don't worry, we should have enough time."

"Hmm? Mr. Hu, are you that confident?"

Hu Jiangshan laughed: "I think with an elite like Professor Zhao pushing this forward, there's no reason why it shouldn't be too late. If it really is too late, then there's nothing we can do. Humanity may just have to suffer this calamity, and there's nothing anyone can do about it."

Hu Jiangshan's words made Zhao Ruijing laugh.

"Mr. Hu, you're really optimistic, but I admire that kind of optimism. Shall we have a good drink sometime?"

"I understand, I can see that Professor Zhao also likes to drink."

"Occasionally, having a few drinks can actually help with thinking, especially when drinking with people you get along with, it's more fun and enjoyable."

It seems that Zhao Ruijing has completely trusted Hu Jiangshan. The fact that someone like him is willing to drink with him means that their relationship is not ordinary.

Just then, Zhao Ruijing suddenly thought of something and said, "By the way, Mr. Hu, if this project is launched, can you also contribute?"

Hu Jiangshan was stunned: "Me? Tenglong Island Space Launch Site?"

Zhao Ruijing smiled slightly: "Mr. Hu, I have been to your launch site. The facilities are very complete, and there is a lot of room for expansion. There is even a runway for aircraft, which can be continuously upgraded. If that's the case, there are actually a lot you can do there. In fact, in terms of flexibility, it may be even higher than the state-owned launch site."

Hu Jiangshan understood Zhao Ruijing's meaning.

In a sense, state-owned space agency launch sites face numerous restrictions and limitations when undertaking various projects, requiring multiple levels of approval before they can be launched.

In comparison, privately owned space launch sites are indeed more flexible and have fewer constraints.

Hu Jiangshan took a sip of coffee: "Professor Zhao, what do you want me to do?"

Just then, Zhao Ruijing's light meal arrived, and she said "thank you."

Hu Jiangshan said, "Although the overall plan has not yet been finalized, I think the direction should be relatively clear. It is simply to launch a payload carrier to the target asteroid and get as close to the asteroid as possible. The carrier may carry an impactor or instruments such as quantum beam generators, so the key is to launch a large payload."

Hu Jiangshan said, "That is, high-thrust rockets and large payload bays."

Zhao Ruijing looked at Hu Jiangshan approvingly and nodded. It wasn't that Hu Jiangshan had given the correct answer, but rather that he clearly already knew what Zhao Ruijing wanted to say.

"Mr. Hu, what I mean is that you can start developing and preparing for the launch of heavy-load rockets. If needed, we might be able to launch a probe from your site first to conduct preliminary feasibility verification of approaching an asteroid."

Hu Jiangshan nodded. The so-called high-payload rocket is not simply a matter of increasing the rocket's size and adding engines.

The larger the payload of a rocket, the greater the difficulty becomes, and this difficulty increases exponentially.

Generally speaking, the most mature technology for launching rockets is to carry satellites and launch them into low, medium, and high orbits. The farther away from Earth, the more difficult it becomes.

The smallest satellite weighs only a dozen kilograms, the medium-sized ones weigh a few dozen kilograms, and the largest ones weigh no more than a hundred kilograms.

The most challenging space launch payload mission is launching the space station's module.

Both the core module and the power module can weigh several hundred kilograms, which is already considered to be the top level of rocket carrying capacity.

This is without even calculating the absolute distance from Earth.

This is the difficulty of asteroid defense systems. If a large-thrust orbital intervention or destruction intervention is to be carried out on an asteroid, then very large equipment is required.

That would likely weigh at least several hundred kilograms, and possibly even over a thousand kilograms, exceeding the current carrying capacity of human spacecraft.

Of course, it can also be transported in parts.

However, the number of components in a single device cannot be too large, so each launch requires carrying a high-quality device into space.

More importantly, the asteroid's location is uncertain; it may be far away or near, but the only certainty is that it will be much farther away than Earth's near-medium-high orbit.

Zhao Ruijing said, "Of course, no matter what kind of research and development you do, you will definitely need funding. I am well aware of that. So if Mr. Hu really wants to make a difference in this area, he can provide a complete plan and submit it to the space agency. Then I will try to find a way to advance this matter."

Although Zhao Ruijing's words were somewhat veiled, Hu Jiangshan understood them perfectly.

After all, Hu Jiangshan's previous life involved a top-tier scientist in the aerospace system, a true heavyweight on Earth, who knew how project approvals worked. Zhao Ruijing's point was simply that as long as there was a complete plan and its feasibility was relatively high, then one could apply for funding from the government.

The government will provide certain subsidies, which may be substantial or small, but it is certain that if the project has a positive impact on the future development of the industry, it will not lose money and may even make a considerable profit.

In his previous life, Hu Jiangshan had handled many such projects. As long as the goals were reasonable, the country would not be stingy with its investment in this area.

Hu Jiangshan has lived two lives. In his previous life, he was a top scientist, so he naturally knew that an asteroid defense system was definitely necessary.

The country absolutely cannot ignore this project, and it will place it in an increasingly important position over time.

This means that if Hu Jiangshan's Jiangshan Group gets involved in this huge project, it may suffer a small loss in the early stages, but it will definitely not lose money in the later stages, and may even make a profit.

Of course, as a former scientist with ideals, Hu Jiangshan didn't care about making money. His goal was to pursue this kind of aerospace career, and he was prepared to do it even if it didn't make money.

They didn't even consider making money; as long as Hu Jiangshan or the Hu family wouldn't go hungry or go bankrupt, that was enough.

Hu Jiangshan nodded and said, "Professor Zhao, I understand. I can make a statement now: I will do this. I accept the task."

Zhao Ruijing paused for a moment: "Aren't you going to reconsider? The investment for a project like this is not small. It's definitely not something that can be done in tens of millions. It's definitely an investment of hundreds of millions. Aren't you going to do an evaluation?"

Hu Jiangshan smiled and said, "Professor Zhao, you know me. If I were worried that the initial investment would be too large and I would lose all my capital, I wouldn't have gone to build the space launch site."

"That's true. The investment in a space launch site is enormous. To be honest, I still don't know how you built such a large-scale space launch site so quickly. But that doesn't matter. As long as it contributes to the country's space program, whatever method you use is positive and beneficial."

Zhao Ruijing's words were meant to reassure Hu Jiangshan, assuring him that there would be no consequences for his actions.
As long as the ultimate goal of doing this is good, even if there are some minor secrets, privacy issues, or even shameful scandals in the process, as long as it is not a major crime, the country will not care too much and will generally turn a blind eye and not pursue the matter.

Of course, Hu Jiangshan doesn't actually have any major scandals, but his secrets simply cannot be made public.

Even if Hu Jiangshan wanted to make it public, no one would believe it; it's too outrageous.

To others, it's basically just nonsense, or it feels like reading science fiction or fantasy novels.

But it really did happen.

Hu Jiangshan said, "Understood, Professor Zhao. I will think about it carefully when I get back, and then put together a specific plan. I will submit it to the space agency for you and the leaders to review. If it is approved, I will start preparations as soon as possible and strive to contribute to the asteroid defense system."

Zhao Ruijing smiled and said, "Okay, Mr. Hu, I'm relieved to hear you say that. With your help, I think the asteroid defense system has a high chance of becoming a reality."

"Professor Zhao, you have so much confidence in me? That puts a lot of pressure on me."

"What pressure do you have? Just follow your own pace. You don't need to consider us. You're not state-owned, which is an advantage. You have plenty of freedom."

Hu Jiangshan nodded and smiled happily.

Indeed, he has an advantage in this regard. If this matter can be successfully completed, then the Tenglong Island Space Launch Site may very well become the main force in the asteroid defense system.

The atmosphere improved even more after Hu Jiangshan and Zhao Ruijing finalized the matter.

The two chatted about all sorts of interesting things, talking about everyday life and putting aside their work in the aerospace industry.

This also means that Zhao Ruijing and Hu Jiangshan have taken a big step closer to each other.

Hu Jiangshan even suspected that Zhao Ruijing had approached him specifically to discuss this matter, and that she wanted Hu Jiangshan to get involved in the construction of the asteroid defense system.

Now that Zhao Ruijing has achieved her goal, she is in a very good mood.

Hu Jiangshan chatted with Zhao Ruijing about various things, and the meal lasted for a full two hours before Zhao Ruijing finally left satisfied and went back to her hotel room to rest.

There is another meeting tomorrow, which includes Zhao Ruijing's concluding remarks.

Zhao Ruijing is getting old; if she doesn't get enough rest, she'll feel terrible tomorrow.

As soon as Zhao Ruijing left, Hu Jiangshan looked back and saw that Cao Bing and the two paparazzi had already left.

They probably felt that waiting any longer wouldn't yield any results, so they gave up keeping an eye on Hu Jiangshan.

Hu Jiangshan returned to his hotel room, took a nap, and received a call from Xu Yun while he was out for a walk in the evening.

Xu Yun wanted to invite Hu Jiangshan to dinner that evening, and she was very sincere about it.

Hu Jiangshan thought about it and, since he didn't have anything else to do that evening, agreed.

Xu Ying is a beautiful woman.

Having dinner with a beautiful woman is a pleasure, so of course I'll agree.

Hu Jiangshan had a very magical feeling.

In her previous life, Xu Yun was indifferent to Hu Jiangshan, only communicating with him at work, and never expressed a desire to have a meal with him.

To receive such treatment in this lifetime is truly outrageous.

Could it be that Hu Jiangshan in this life is more attractive to Xu Yun?

This is also highly likely.

In the evening, Hu Jiangshan went to the back of the hotel, where there was a garden restaurant, which was quiet and private.

Xu Yun had booked this restaurant.

Hu Jiangshan certainly didn't think that Xu Yun wanted to have something happen between them, which was why she chose this restaurant. It was probably just because there were fewer people here, so she wouldn't attract attention from others.

Xu Yun is a goddess in the aerospace industry with a high profile. When she dine with men, it might have some strange effects in the industry, such as spreading gossip. Xu Yun has to be careful.

(End of this chapter)