Ten minutes later.

NASA published a brief message on its official website.

- "The first landing of the Artemis program failed to meet expectations, and now Artemis has returned to lunar orbit. ”

With the announcement of this news, everyone doesn't know what the onlookers are feeling.

Because NASA did not switch the satellite monitoring screen, but only used data modeling to simulate the state of the moon landing, the live broadcast only showed Artemis descending and taking off again.

Therefore, the viewers who watched the live broadcast did not realize that Artemis threw down a large lump of things when he lifted off.

Xichang Command Center.

All the engineers who were going to squint for a while gathered in the conference room.

When they saw the picture, the Artemis went from its perfect posture at the beginning to the sudden convulsion at the end, leaving the material compartment and taking off again, everyone was as stunned as Ye Ming's previous performance.

Director Zhang's eyes were bloodshot, but he was extremely energetic, and he looked at Ye Ming: "You haven't contacted us on the other side now, have you?" ”

Ye Ming immediately shook his head: "No." ”

Director Zhang exhaled heavily: "That shouldn't be a big problem, it's not tearing off." ”

Everyone nodded.

They are all engaged in aerospace, and everyone usually has a lot of dissatisfaction with Lao Mei, and they also shouted the slogan of non-cooperation.

But...... If something really happens in the sky, as long as it can help, it will definitely abandon the mustard.

-- The confrontation was so fierce decades ago that it did not affect the rescue plan for the astronauts in the slightest.

Therefore, the first thought that comes to everyone's mind is whether Artemis's hull is damaged and whether the astronauts are safe.

If the hull is damaged and the astronauts' lives are in danger, then they have to be fished anyway.

And NASA will definitely contact Xichang as soon as possible, which is nothing to say.

Now that Lao Mei has not contacted this side, it means that the problem is not very big, and it is estimated that Lao Mei thinks that she can handle it.

Someone laughed: "I don't know where they fell in the supply compartment." ”

"Ye finally knew it." Director Zhang immediately looked at Ye Ming.

"The south pole of the moon is about 20 kilometers away from where we landed on the moon." Ye Ming said and asked Aita to mark the location of the material cabin on the display screen: "I don't know what is in it." ”

"If you eat it, it's over."

"It shouldn't be food, it's probably a tool for building various instruments and observation points."

"Possibly."

"Do you say they will return directly or will they stay in the heavens? Do they still have what it takes to land on the moon? ”

"Probably not."

"Maybe, if they took the initiative to abandon it, then Lao Mei could have launched a little more supplies. They dare to change their plans on the fly, and they must have a plan. ”

As the discussion progressed, everyone gradually calmed down.

Indeed, behind the change of the plan, there must be a strong guarantee arrangement - especially when a task becomes a political project, it will definitely be guaranteed by the whole country.

If nothing else, let's just say that the Invitation Moon went to the sky this time, and countless plans and contingencies were made alone, taking into account all aspects of the landing failure - among them, of course, there was also a plan to finally ask the West for help.

For example, the members of the former Chang'e Project are now in Jiuquan, and they also stay awake all night.

After all, it is at all costs and above all else to let the astronauts come back safely.

"Then it's up to Lao Mei to choose, but let's make an alternative."

As Director Zhang's voice fell, the phone in the office rang too.

Immediately afterwards, Ye Ming also received a message from Director Niu.

Whether it is the Chang'e project from Jiuquan or CNY, they already know that there is a problem with the landing on Lao Mei's side.

After a brief discussion, the decision-making level issued an instruction, saying that since there had not been a request for help from there, the invitation to the moon would carry out the task according to the predetermined plan, and in case Lao Mei really needed help, it would be good to leave the H plan of the Chang'e project to them.

Now that the high-level has spoken, the invitation to the moon number will continue to do all the tasks as before.

Time passed minute by minute, and the Invitation Moon also arrived at the predetermined orbital position, ready to land.

At this time, the eyes of the whole world and everyone once again converged on the Invitation Moon Number.

Because NASA has not yet issued an announcement about the failure of the moon landing, but the live broadcast has been temporarily interrupted.

It was agreed that this should be just a technical glitch.

……

Kennedy.

Everyone has gathered in the command center.

After half an hour of chaos, order had been restored in the hall.

At this point, the live broadcast has been interrupted, and the video has also received the vision of the crew of the Artemis.

On the video, it is clear that Artemis is decelerating after re-entering orbit. And it can be seen that the outer hull of the ship, is well maintained.

"Artemis, please report again."

"Kennedy, this is Artemis, the interface of the supply bay is slightly damaged, and the heat insulation tile of the cabin seems to have scratches."

There was silence in the command center.

When Artemis was seen to terminate his landing, everyone was actually aware...... This mission could not be completed.

Then the rest is to see if you can successfully come back.

"Artemis, make sure the message is clear and tell the crew that we will bring you back safely."

"Artemis understands."

Director Powers unbuttoned and strode to the next conference room.

At this time, the phone rang again, which had just been resting for less than a minute.

"Don't let me answer all calls!"

"Especially the White House!"

"BOSS, it's from the White House." The operator holds the microphone.

“……”

A few minutes later, Director Bowers slammed the door behind the conference room.

A group of engineers are already in place, constantly discussing and calculating.

"Mom provoke Fake, I even asked if I could go to the moon!"

Everyone looked up at him in amazement.

If there was such a big accident, shouldn't it be thinking about how to get back safely?

Musk also looked at Director Powers, frowning: "Now the structure of Artemis is not damaged, but there are scratches on the insulation, theoretically, it is indeed possible to complete another lunar landing, but it is not possible to carry a spare material cabin." ”

"So what are you going up there for this time? Going for a walk? And is their energy still enough? ”

"By calculation, it is enough, and there are no problems with the fuel tank."

"The problem now is that Artemis can't be used for Earth return if the insulation is badly damaged."

"Then, to send those eighteen astronauts back, it is up to us to ...... alone."

Musk didn't finish his sentence.

But everyone present understood.

Actually...... now Rather than let Artemis force his risk to return, or rather, go into Earth orbit again and wait for rescue......

The most convenient and safest option.

Actually, it was still landing again.

Then, take a boat back.

But everyone knows what the consequences of this will be.

It's a no-brainer.

(End of chapter)