The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Zhang Chixin sat down and placed his hands on the table: "Now answer a few questions for me. First, how long will it take to develop the satellite itself?"

Schmidt thought for a moment: "If we start building a team now, design, manufacturing, ground testing, environmental simulation... it will take at least four years. We'll have a prototype by the end of 50, environmental testing in 51, and finalization in 52."

“That means,” Zhang Chi said, “the satellite team has to start early. We can’t wait until the rocket is ready to begin.”

"Yes. Even after the arrow and star are combined, some inconsistencies may be found, and extra time may be needed to readjust them."

"So, what do you plan to do with the first satellite, 'Nanyangxing-1'?"

Chen Zhiyuan and Schmidt exchanged a glance.

Finally, Chen Zhiyuan answered: "It's mainly for verification purposes. First, to prove that we can launch satellites; second, to verify basic systems such as temperature control, power supply, and telemetry; and third, to carry some simple scientific instruments, such as measuring space temperature and radiation intensity."

“Not enough.” Zhang Chi shook his head. “We need to add another function—to send back simple radio signals so that amateur radio enthusiasts all over the world can receive them. For example… a regular ‘beep-beep-beep’ signal. The sound must be clear, and the frequency must be selected in the shortwave band.”

Schmidt was puzzled: "Why should amateur enthusiasts receive it?"

"Because of its publicity value," Zhang Chi said. "When tens of thousands of people around the world use homemade antennas to hear the Southeast Asian signal coming from space, the impact is more powerful than any newspaper headline."

The three of them suddenly understood.

"Finally..." Zhang Chi continued, "Let's imagine what satellites will be able to do in five or ten years?"

This time he spoke first, as if he were describing a painting:

"Communication satellites. A satellite in a geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above the equator can cover half of the Earth."

With it, Southeast Asia and Persia could communicate directly without going through undersea cables. Southeast Asia could even maintain real-time contact with America across the Pacific Ocean.

"Reconnaissance satellites. At an altitude of hundreds of kilometers, they take high-resolution photos of the ground. They can clearly see how many planes are on an airport and what ships are docked in a port. Military intelligence will enter a new era."

"Meteorological satellites. They provide global cloud maps from space, forecast typhoon paths, and issue early warnings of droughts and floods. Their value to agriculture, shipping, disaster prevention, and more is immeasurable."

“Navigation satellites,” Zhang Chi said finally, his tone solemn, “a group of satellites distributed in specific orbits that transmit precise time signals.”

Once the ground receiver receives the signal, it can calculate its precise location with an error of no more than ten meters.

Ship navigation, aircraft flight paths, missile guidance... this will fundamentally change the nature of warfare.

After he finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.

The three stared at him blankly, as if they had heard a fairy tale, yet they also vaguely felt that... these scenes were not impossible.

“And all of this,” Zhang Chi said, word by word, “must start with this small sphere called ‘Nanyangxing-1’, which weighs only 50 kilograms.”

After a long silence, Lü Guofu was the first to speak: "Commander-in-Chief, I understand. I guarantee the mission at the base will be completed. Secrecy, infrastructure construction, testing... nothing will go wrong."

Schmidt took off his glasses and wiped them: "I will lead the team to tackle the guidance system. We have an advantage in semiconductor technology, and once the miniaturized computer is in place, I can produce a prototype of the navigation system within a year."

Chen Zhiyuan took a deep breath: "The engine, I'll tackle it. High-temperature resistant materials, I'll search every laboratory in the country to find a solution. High-altitude ignition, solid rocket motor... I'll come up with a plan."

Zhang Chi looked at the three of them and nodded.

“Okay,” he said. “Then let’s proceed according to this timeline. Full-scale prototype assembly in 54, suborbital test launch in 55, full system integration training in 56, 57…”

He paused:

"emission."

“But President,” Chen Zhiyuan couldn’t help but say, “isn’t the timetable too rushed? 57 years…”

My classmate wrote to me before saying that the US hasn't even finalized a decent launch vehicle plan yet.

Zhang Chi smiled.

"Neither the US nor the US is confident. But I'm certain they'll both get it done within ten years. Ladies and gentlemen, the world is developing very fast, faster than you can imagine."

He turned around, this time brimming with confidence:

"We've been planning this for so long, so what we're aiming for isn't some third place after the White Eagle or the Russian Bear."

We could be second, or even... we might even take first place.

There was dead silence in the conference room.

To be first? To launch a satellite before the currently most powerful nations, the US and Russia, do?

That's incredibly arrogant.

"Lu Guofu, the security and confidentiality of the base is the top priority."

"Yes!"

“Mr. Schmidt, please provide a list of the semiconductor components you require, and our factories nationwide will prioritize their production.”

"understand!"

"Chen Zhiyuan, we can utilize the resources of all metallurgical laboratories nationwide for high-temperature resistant materials. If we need foreign experts, submit a report, and I will approve it."

Chen Zhiyuan's throat moved, and he swallowed hard. "Commander-in-Chief, if... if we really succeeded in 57..."

“The name of Southeast Asia,” Zhang Chi continued, “will be etched on the first page of human spaceflight history.”

After finishing the business, Zhang Chi suddenly laughed: "Alright, you three, you're on vacation for a week starting tomorrow."

"A holiday?" Lu Guofu thought he had misheard.

"Yes, have a great time in Yangon. The government covers the expenses, so it's perfect for bringing your family."

He looked at Chen Zhiyuan: "Especially you, Engineer Chen. When was your last vacation?"

Chen Zhiyuan opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

“You haven’t taken a break since you returned to Southeast Asia in 44,” Zhang Chi answered for him, taking an envelope from a drawer. “There’s an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor in Yangon who’s very good at treating insomnia. The address is inside. Go and have a look.”

Chen Zhiyuan took the envelope and said only two words at the end:

"Thank you."

After the three left, Zhang Chi sat alone in the conference room for a long time.

He opened the timetable and ran his finger across it.

ten years.

Over the past decade, rockets, nuclear bombs, Persia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Red vs. Blue rivalry, economic development... a myriad of events have unfolded.

But this step into space is necessary.

He recalled that famous question from his past life: Why go to the moon? Why explore space?

The best answer is, because the mountain is there.

Because the starry sky is there.

Because a nation's vision cannot be limited to the land beneath its feet.