"How does it feel to work in Gaul?"

In the video chat, which is still relatively rare now, Zhang Xingyang asked with a slightly mocking smile.

"I don't feel much other than the slow progress and low efficiency."

Zhou Xuan was on the other side of the video thousands of miles away, smiled and said:

"However, Gallic cuisine is not bad in the league."

Compared to the fish and chips that have remained unchanged for thousands of years, the Gallic feast is indeed colorful.

"Before I came, I thought there was nothing to eat, and I brought a lot of instant noodles from China." Zhou Xuan said with a smile:

"It didn't come in handy."

Bringing instant noodles and mustard abroad was actually a relatively common thing in the past ten years.

Some of them are because they are less expensive, and some of them are because they are not used to eating foreign food.

Zhou Xuan and the others joined the Gallic Space Agency to work, so they were responsible for eating, and they didn't have to spend much money themselves.

Naturally, it didn't come in handy.

"Seriously, how is the development of the rover going?"

After the two chatted for a while, Zhang Xingyang asked.

As part of the Joint Mars Exploration Program, Gaul was responsible for the development of landers and rover.

Zhang Xingyang: They are responsible for the research and development of the launch vehicle and the Mars orbiter.

"The research and development of the lander is relatively smooth, and a large part of it has been completed and has entered the physical development stage."

Speaking of the content of the work, Zhou Xuan also began to get serious.

"However, the development of the rover has not been so smooth, and it is still in the theoretical research stage."

"More than three years have passed since the signing of the joint Mars exploration program, and the drawings of the Mars rover have not been completed?"

Zhang Xingyang asked with some incomprehension.

The technology of the Mars rover should not be very difficult for the Gauls with some experience.

How could it be that the research and development has not been completed until now.

Not even the drawings were able to be completed!

You must know that there is no design experience in the design of deep space planet orbiters in China, and it has entered the stage of physical development until now.

"Their productivity is simply too low."

Zhou Xuan was on the other side of the video, and couldn't help but complain:

"What was supposed to be a demonstration of the walking mechanism could be completed within a week."

"However, I watched them argue for almost two months!"

"A lot of issues are being pulled out and discussed over and over again."

After saying this, Zhou Xuan frowned and said with some uncertainty:

"I even wonder if they want to leave us alone."

This question was somewhat unexpected by Zhang Xingyang.

The progress problem just mentioned, in fact, Zhang Xingyang can understand.

Because the Rover was funded entirely by Gaul himself.

And now, the most important aerospace project they attach to is the construction of the International Space Station.

In particular, their Minister of Science and Technology, Ener, as a female astronaut who has entered the space station several times, is more concerned about the construction of the space station.

The R&D funds allocated to the Mars rover are naturally much less.

If you don't have money, your progress will naturally slow down.

R&D funding is very important for scientific research, especially in this non-theoretical research field.

If you want to see output, you have to throw money at it.

"Why do you feel this way?"

Zhang Xingyang still didn't believe that Gaul wanted to give up the joint exploration program.

In any case, Gaul has also invested a lot of money, manpower, and material resources in the Mars exploration program.

No, at this time, he suddenly announced his abandonment.

"Since a month ago, colleagues have been leaving the project team one after another."

Zhou Xuan's face was still a little ugly and said:

"In the last week, there was a large number of resignations."

"Now, less than 60 percent of the people working in the project team used to be!"

Such a high turnover rate made Zhang Xingyang feel wrong.

Nearly half of the people walked!

Needless to say, the development work of the project team must have come to a standstill!

"With such a bad staffing situation, can you continue to work on development?" Zhang Xingyang asked.

Zhou Xuan replied: "The project team is still going on except for some irrelevant projects, and most of them have stopped. ”

"Our expatriate staff are still more dedicated, and even in such a situation, they still work hard."

"However, with so many people missing, no matter how hard our people try, they can't change the status quo where the progress is close to tentative."

"What about Paul Sutter of the Mars Joint Exploration Program?"

Zhang Xingyang mentioned a person's name at this time and said:

"Didn't you talk to him?"

Paul Sartre, the head of the Gallic side when talking about this cooperation plan.

"I've looked for him a few times, but I haven't been able to see him." Zhou Xuan said with some embarrassment.

"Maybe you still have to come forward so that he won't run away."

"I'll have a good talk with him at the annual Mars Exploration Program meeting next month."

Zhang Xingyang agreed to this matter very simply.

However, the strange behavior of the Gallic side also gave Zhang Xingyang a wake-up call.

In the case of the Mars exploration program, it seems that it is not very reliable to rely on the Gauls.

After thinking for a few seconds, Zhang Xingyang raised his head and said to Zhou Xuan seriously:

"In Gaul, it is still necessary to learn as much as possible about the theoretical knowledge of the development of the Mars rover."

"Maybe after that, we'll need to do the rover development ourselves."

Zhang Xingyang's judgment may be incorrect, or perhaps Gaul is only temporarily adjusting personnel.

However, it is undeniable that this possibility exists.

And, judging by the current situation, it is still quite possible that something will happen.

Although Zhou Xuan was a little surprised when he heard it, he didn't have a big reaction.

Obviously, he also thought of the existence of such a possibility.

As the old saying of the Dragon Kingdom, relying on the mountains and the mountains, relying on the flow of water, people still have to rely on themselves.

"I will." Zhou Xuan nodded and said:

"We can see most of their drawings and theories now."

"There are only a few designs, which are beyond our purview."

This part is actually the power system on the rover.

Gaul, as one of the P5, was able to legally exploit nuclear energy.

There is also a lot of research on isotope radioactive thermal batteries.

They are ready to use such technology on this rover.

Isotope radioactive thermal cells have significant advantages over solar panels.

That is, not afraid of the violent sandstorms on Mars.

Dust storms on Mars, because of Mars' low gravity and lack of magnetic fields, are many times larger than dust storms on Earth!

The rover is covered by a sandstorm, if solar panels are used.

Then it has to go into hibernation, otherwise the power system simply does not have enough power to drive.

It will only be in the summer of the following year that the rover will be able to begin to wake up.

However, there is a high probability that Awakening will fail.

Because when a dust storm fills Mars, the solar panels on the rover will be covered with a lot of dust.

If the rover can't shake the dust off its body, all that awaits it is a never-ending slumber.

In contrast, isotope batteries generate electricity through the temperature difference of a radioactive heat source, so there is no such disadvantage.

It can withstand the super-large sandstorms on Mars very well.

However, radioactive batteries are likely to cause unexpected nuclear contamination.

It can only be said that there are advantages and disadvantages between the two.

"The power part, we can actually solve it ourselves."

Zhang Xingyang revealed a little bit of the news to Zhou Xuan.

Just last week, the domestically produced lunar rover completed its research and development work and entered the simulation experimental base on the Gobi to begin field tests.

In this lunar rover, although it is powered by a more conservative solar-electric drive.

However, thanks to high-efficiency flexible solar panels, the power output of the lunar rover is actually relatively strong.

The rover is capable of climbing steep slopes with a gradient of up to 20 degrees.

This ensures that the lunar rover can be climbed over in the event that it is unable to orbit when encountering some small craters.

——

"Mr. Sartre, we have some questions about the progress of the Mars joint exploration program, and I don't know if you can answer them."

At the annual meeting, numerous issues related to Mars exploration are discussed.

Zhang Xingyang asked the Gallic side very politely:

"I don't know why you withdrew most of the scientific researchers of the Mars Joint Exploration Program rover project team without any major changes?"

"In our opinion, this has caused a serious disruption to the development progress of the rover."

Paul Sartre said apologetically:

"Zhang, it's not my decision."

"It's the decision of our Ministry of Science and Technology."

"They believe that our most important task at the moment is the construction of the space station."

"Most of the personnel have been asked to leave by the space station project team."

Time has entered 04 years, and the International Space Station has also entered a more rapid construction stage.

Because according to the original plan, the construction of the space station was to be completed by 08.

"Can I see your statement as your plan to withdraw from the Mars joint development program?"

Zhang Xingyang said to Paul Sartre with a cold face.

For the Mars joint development plan, the dragon kingdom has put in the effort.

Whether it is the modification of the rocket or the development of the Mars orbiting satellite, a lot of energy has been spent.

And in terms of funds, although everyone basically spends their own money, the Dragon Kingdom invests more.

Nearly 100 million dollars have been invested!

At this time, the Gallic side suddenly had the intention of withdrawing from the project.

For Zhang Xingyang and them, it was undoubtedly a ruthless backstab.

This is because Gaul itself was responsible for the development of the more difficult landers and rovers.

If you want to put your previous investment in a wasted position, you can only grit your teeth and continue to develop the lander and rover yourself.

However, this requires greater investment.

More investment means more risk.

Because Long Guohai does not have any practical experience with deep space landers and rovers.

The possibility of failure is also very high.

"Personally, I don't want to withdraw from the Mars joint exploration program."

Paul Sartre said helplessly:

"But I can't guarantee that other people think the same way I do."

"Exploring Mars is a lifelong dream of mine, and I won't give up easily."

Everyone on Zhang Xingyang's side also understood at this time.

The Gallic side really wants to withdraw from the joint Mars exploration program.

Although it is a relatively common occurrence for international cooperation to suddenly break treaties, there are many precedents for abrupt renunciation of treaties in various fields for various reasons.

However, the sudden appearance of this on the part of the Gallic side still made everyone angry.

Because at this time, the relationship between the two sides is actually very close in the aerospace field

So even in front of the Gauls, someone whispered in Chinese in the conference room:

"Treachery!"

Fortunately, the other party doesn't understand, otherwise the relationship between the two sides may fall to the freezing point.

"We welcome any scientist who wants to be part of the Mars exploration program."

After the meeting, Zhang Xingyang threw an olive branch directly to Paul Sartre.

"I don't know if you're interested in getting involved in this cause."

Zhang Xingyang saw at the meeting before that it was a pity that Paul Sartre himself was actually very sorry for the breakdown of cooperation.

"Of course I have a lot of interest!" Paul Sartre's eyes lit up, and he held Zhang Xingyang's hand and said.

"Are you going to continue your Mars exploration program?"

"Of course!"

Zhang Xingyang smiled all the way and said:

"What you don't want to do, we'll do it!"

"Even without you, we will still be able to accomplish our goal of landing on Mars!"

Zhang Xingyang's words were slightly prickly.

But Paul Sartre doesn't really care, he is a relatively pure scientist.

He just wants to fulfill his dream and explore Mars!

"As long as you continue to explore Mars, then I'm willing to be a part of it!"

After four years, the once-very hot Mars joint exploration project has come to an end.

But for Zhang Xingyang and others.

This end is more of a means that the people of the Dragon Kingdom will start the Mars exploration project independently!

They will rely on their own efforts to complete the research and development of launch vehicles, orbiting vehicles, landers, and rovers.

Then, in the Martian year a few years later, all of these things are launched onto Mars.

And since thousands of years ago, the planet known as "Glowing", which is regarded as a disaster star, will also open its mysterious veil to the people of the Dragon Kingdom.

After the end of the joint project, Zhou Xuan recruited many scientists from Gaul who were interested in the Mars exploration program.

And brought a lot of people to the country.

These people are going to carry out the road of human exploration of Mars in this foreign land.

Among them, for Zhang Xingyang and others, the most valuable is Paul Sartre.

As the former Mars Express project leader, he has a full understanding of the development of Mars rover.

This will undoubtedly allow the progress of Longguo's self-developed Mars rover to be fully accelerated.

Of course, for scientific researchers who are unwilling to leave their hometown and go to a foreign country, Zhou Xuan also has arrangements.

He opened a company on the territory of Gaul, which was in fact a scientific research unit.

It is used to conduct some ancillary research.

In this way, the research ability of these scientific researchers is not wasted.

(End of chapter)