"Orbit-Ring!"

At one meeting, Alex said so seriously, "Orbit is the meaning of the track, and Ring is the shape of it. The equatorial ring is a ring-shaped structure built around the Earth in the orbit of the Earth's satellites for 1 year. Because it is located above the equator, I call it the 'equatorial ring'. ”

In front of you is a concept drawing with the Earth in the center and a ring-like structure surrounding outer space. It orbits synchronously with the Earth and is stationary relative to the ground.

On this structure, called the "Equatorial Ring", there are slender branches that stick to the ground at intervals, which is called "ladders", which can continuously transport people and materials from the ground to space.

It's a very grand project, unprecedentedly huge. But once it's built, humanity's journey to space will be as easy as taking an elevator upstairs.

"This will be our gateway to space, which will not only reduce the cost of space exploration, but also facilitate space travel for people. More importantly, it has a high military value, just imagine, which country can build such an equatorial ring, it can have an unparalleled force to suppress all countries in the world. ”

The people who were able to participate in this meeting were the senior executives of CPT and SCC, who had very professional scientific knowledge, and did not reject Alex's seemingly delusional plan at the beginning.

In addition to this, there was an unfamiliar face in attendance. It was a girl with slender white thighs, blond hair, and blue eyes. According to the staff nameplate, the girl's name is "Jessica". His current position is that of Alex's assistant.

Jessica was able to attend the meeting because she was asked to take minutes. I saw her writing seriously, meticulous, and no one knew that she was the "swallow" sent by the Soviet Union to ambush the SCC company.

The others didn't think anything wrong with Jessica's attendance.

The employees who can enter the SCC company are all Americans who have passed the background check, especially those who have access to the core secrets, and they have to undergo a series of political trials before they can be released. Jessica's presence here shows that she is innocent and impeccable.

When I first started. Jessica's arrival has excited many men at SCC for a while. I tried my best to get to her and offer my courtesy. It didn't take long for someone to spread the word that Jessica was Alex's lover, and slowly no one dared to touch her thoughts.

As for why such a rumor would spread, Alex can roughly guess it. It must be someone with ulterior motives who wants to create a fait accompli. However, he did not come forward to clarify the misunderstanding. This kind of thing is getting darker and darker. Only those who are clear are self-purifying, and those who are turbid are self-turbid.

Of course, in the face of a girl like Jessica, who has both temperament and beauty, Alex has also been tempted. Perhaps her every move is done according to the textbook of the "swallow" training, but it is capable of fascinating men.

However, as soon as Alex remembered that the beautiful woman in front of him was a Soviet spy, his mind cleared up a little and he didn't dare to have anything to do with the other party. Especially when he also needed to transmit "confidential" news to the Soviet Union through Jessica, he hurriedly recited the "Purifying Heart Mantra" so that he would not be deceived by women.

The problem is that this kind of thing happens very often. Plus one of them is a trained Soviet agent "Swallow", when she wants to seduce a man to fall, given enough time, even an iron plate will be worn through.

Not to mention that Alex is not a strong-willed person, and he did not immediately sober up to his actions.

Naturally, one night, he had everything that was supposed to happen to Jessica.

Afterwards, in the face of Jessica, who is delicate and dripping like an aries, Alex is in an abnormal state, demanding excessively every day, and almost can't walk this new girl.

Some things, once you pierce that layer of paper, become accustomed to it. The relationship between the two grows closer, and Jessica has enough access to more SCC company secrets.

She passed on many of Alex's deliberately leaked "secrets" to the Soviet Union, which soon attracted the attention of the Soviet high-level, and the relevant parties paid more and more attention to Jessica, a pawn who accidentally broke into the SCC. Even with a death order, Jesica must be protected by all means, even if it is to expose and sacrifice more agents, she must not be suspicious in the slightest.

Because of this, after several leaks, the U.S. government conducted a large-scale investigation of the insiders, at most they caught a few supernumerary spy agents, and no one suspected the SCC company, let alone Jessica herself.

Those leaks were only intentional on the part of Alex, to make the Soviet Union trust Jessica's message back from this line, and at the same time to pave the way for this meeting.

Yes, Alex summoned so many people to the meeting and solemnly introduced this "equatorial ring plan", and the ultimate goal was to want Jessica to send it back to the Soviet Union.

After listening to Alex's introduction, the people who participated in the meeting fell silent, secretly thinking about the feasibility of the "equatorial ring plan".

Someone soon asked a very pointed question: "Such a huge plan should be carried out by the national government." The reason is simple, one is that the funding staff has exceeded the limits of what we can bear. The other is its military significance, and the government will certainly not let it be in the hands of private business. ”

Alex nodded and agreed: "This plan is indeed intended to be handed over to the government, but you also know that the government scientific research institutions do not have the skills in this area. We must be in charge of the organization and management of the CPT or SCC company, which is equivalent to NASA, and is in charge of the allocation of all manpower and funds. ”

"But the government doesn't necessarily entrust us with such a huge project. Even such a project simply won't work, at least for now, unlikely. ”

It was von Bryan who said this, and he believed that the "equatorial ring plan" was not possible at all. The U.S. government doesn't have that many resources.

"There is also the problem of the equatorial ring's technique, I don't think it can reach such a high level of technique at present. Not in the last few decades, at least, but perhaps a hundred years. Another supervisor also said.

Alex agrees with this view in his heart, but he doesn't want this, so he said: "You're right, the equatorial ring project will be calculated in hundreds of years. However, we must not only focus on the present, but also take a long-term view. Just think about it. Once this project is picked up by our company. That means the company will be associated with the project. This is a project of more than 100 years, so I don't need to say more about the benefits in it. ”

After a pause, he continued: "Actually, I think what is being done at the moment is the rudiments of the equatorial ring. That's the so-called 'space station'! ”

said. He pulled out another stack of papers. Above is a description of the structure and functions of the space station.

"Space station" is also known as space station, space station, orbital station. It is a kind of manned spacecraft that operates in low earth orbit for a long time and can be used by many astronauts to visit, work and live for a long time. There are two types of space stations: single and combined. A single space station can be launched into orbit by a space launch vehicle in a single step, while a combined space station is launched into orbit by a space launch vehicle in batches. Assembled in space.

This is the real interest of the experts present, who are experienced researchers who have a very professional judgment on whether something is valuable and whether it can be realized. The concept of a space station was actually not really introduced until the late sixties and early seventies, when all that was thought was a trip to space.

When the space station was proposed, everyone quickly recognized its significance and practical value. With the space station, humans will be able to stay in space for a long time before they can conduct various scientific research experiments.

"What a wonderful idea! How did we not think of it? Someone exclaimed.

Von Bryan was also struck by the concept of a "space station", and he had no idea that there would be such a practice. If it were to happen, then each rocket launch would allow humans to stay in space for a little longer, instead of falling directly to the ground as they do now.

At this time, there were already rumors that the Soviet Union was going to carry out manned flights, and this rumor was actually released by Alex. The aim was to put pressure on NASA to realize that they were getting farther and farther away from Soviet space technology.

He did so much to create a sense of crisis, so that Americans would invest more in this area, and the benefits of SCC would be greater.

Of course, in addition to creating panic, we also have to give a path of hope.

When those present saw the concept of a "space station", they immediately had the feeling that they could stand up to the USSR. Think about it, everyone else can only stay in outer space for a while, only they can live in space forever. This condescending feeling must be very good. Not to mention the military significance and scientific value in it.

Alex read according to the document: "The structure of the space station is characterized by a relatively large volume, a long flight time in orbit, a variety of functions, and a wide range of space scientific research projects. ”

He paused, looked at everyone, and continued: "The basic composition of the space station is a manned living module as the main body, plus modules with different purposes, such as a working experiment module, a scientific instrument module, etc. The space station must be equipped with solar panels and docking hatches to ensure the power supply and docking with other spacecraft. ”

After they digested the meaning of this passage, Alex said word by word: "The space station is just the beginning, our goal is to build an equatorial ring!" ”

After reaching a consensus with the company's people, Alex began to arrange for someone to lobby the U.S. government in an attempt to gain support.

The "equatorial ring" and the "space station" are closely linked projects. As for the question of the materials used to build the "ladder", although Alex did not give a relevant answer, he still mentioned that he found a certain material to support the "ladder".

"I call this material 'nanomaterial', please forgive me for not being able to answer in detail here, so as not to leak secrets." Alex said to those people, as for whether they believe it or not, it doesn't matter.

The document caused a stir among insiders, who were fascinated by Alex's description. But the problem is also very big, that is, their current skills are completely unrealizable. As for Alex's claim that his company can do it, they have reservations about it.

"It's incredible to have such a genius idea."

"Well, let's not talk about the equatorial ring for the time being, I estimate that the technology of the space station on the Soviet side will definitely be able to do it."

"The USSR was able to build a space station? Doesn't that mean that SCC can too? ”

"Shhhh Be careful to be heard by the people of NASA, they are not happy with SCC, and they have always regarded each other as their biggest adversary. ”

"Well, that's true. I've heard that NASA boss Grennan has been denigrating SCC. It was believed that they could not shoulder the heavy responsibility of confronting the Soviet Union. ”

"Cut, this is a joke, the SCC is more powerful than the Soviet Union with the power of a private company. The slap was so loud. Could Glennan really be able to ignore it? ”

Everything is flowing slowly in the dark. On the surface. SCC has indeed been pinned down by NASA. However, the SCC still retains its independence and has perfect rules and regulations. Whatever NASA wants, that's fine. Just take the money in exchange.

However, when it comes to autonomy, the SCC will not listen to NASA's arrangement. Whether it's technology or talent, NASA can't move it. Anyone with a discerning eye knows that the key to US space technology depends on the SCC, not NASA.

There is no suspense, Alex's plan was hung up indefinitely, neither saying yes nor no. One of the big players is Glennan's NASA, and the government does not hesitate to secretly suppress SCC in order to support it.

To Alex's surprise, the Rockefeller consortium seems to support SCC, and they want SCC to replace NASA to be responsible for the management and coordination of the research and development of American space technology.

Lawrence? Rockefeller approached Alex to try to support the SCC in exchange for a chance to cooperate. Perhaps it's because the Rockefeller consortium can't wait any longer and is already disappointed with NASA. Maybe they want to bet on multiple sides, and whoever wins or loses, the Rockefeller consortium gets a piece of the pie.

"As long as the SCC can release its authority and involve the Rockefeller consortium, I believe the problem will be resolved soon." Lawrence didn't be polite to Alex, but went straight to the point. In this way, he should treat Alex as an equal.

Alex didn't immediately pounce on the pie that Lawrence tossed, but replied, "I have to talk to Hughes about this first, after all, he is my partner." ”

When Lawrence heard Hughes's name, a strange look appeared on his face, and he suddenly smiled: "Okay, you can go and discuss it with Hughes." Also, I have to remind you that Hughes is no ordinary man. ”

"Huh? What do you mean by that? ”

"Think about it, can an ordinary person fall from the sky twice without dying? Two times, oh, twice in a row, nothing happened, do you still think he is an ordinary person? ”

As he said this, Lawrence smiled playfully, as if mocking and contemptuous. It felt like he was talking about a dog or something, and he wasn't talking about people. With that, he took his leave and turned away, leaving Alex standing there with a full mind of questions.

He didn't know what Lawrence meant by this, but he could already sense the strong smell of conspiracy.

It's just that I don't know if this conspiracy is against Hughes, or against himself, or against the Carpenter family.

Immortal...... Or coming back from the dead, these rare things that others may never encounter in their lifetime, and they will not see with their own eyes.

But for Alex, this is what happened to him before.

For Alex, the body had died once, and at birth, it was already dead. But it came back to life, and after coming back from the dead, it became the current "Alex" himself.

But could this happen to Hughes? Alex expressed some skepticism! (To be continued......)

PS: I had diarrhea yesterday and got up at four o'clock in the morning, three times a night. Ouch mom, too, the house cat almost couldn't stand up in the toilet. There is also the fact that the first few chapters may be too much, so I will quickly revise the following articles today before I dare to upload them.