"Don't worry, the world's top biological experts are gathered here. Both Tevye and us will be fine in the end."
"This is Yuegong. The experimental type of automated mining equipment on the lunar surface has landed successfully. Please ask for instructions on the next step."
However, life is only once for everyone. No matter what glory is behind it, how easy is it to give up voluntarily
Johnson shook his head: "I don't know."
"A little bit."
As the drill bit slowly stopped and was collected into the belly of the mining device, the broken ore stopped pouring out of the discharge port.
As for what will be their ultimate fate, and what will happen to them if this bacteria proves to be invincible, even the world's top biologists are helpless? Johnson didn't even dare to think deeply.
Johnson tensed subconsciously, but quickly relaxed and asked.
The alloy plate at the bottom slowly opened, and then a huge drill bit stretched out from it, nailing it into the lunar soil.
Johnson prefers to believe that they are planning to build something on the lunar surface, just like the planting unit they deployed some time ago.
As it got closer and closer to the moon, the expressions on the faces of the two staff members stationed in the Yuegong and the pilot on the Queqiao invariably became tense.
Previously, he had a brief exchange with NASA when he informed the North American public that he was safe through the Lunar Palace's communication device.
But now, the mined titanium-containing moon rocks can only be piled here, so after confirming that the device can operate successfully, there is no need to keep it on.
Under the traction of the moon's gravity and the effect of inertia, the silver-white prism-shaped device slowly approached the moon's surface.
To put it simply, they harbor an extremely tenacious Martian bacteria, which may have an unpredictable impact on the Earth's ecosystem. Therefore, they are temporarily isolated on the space station, and after a period of time they will be transferred to research facilities on the lunar surface for placement.
The Chinese researcher who had examined them earlier, accompanied by the two astronauts, floated into the living cabin and stood in front of them.
Perhaps the best solution would be for the three of them to take the initiative to sacrifice their lives. He could even vaguely feel that Director Carson had hinted this to him when he was on the phone.
Today, the project has made some progress. This device called "Pioneer" worth RMB 300 million is one of the research results of this project and is mainly responsible for the initial mining of titanium-rich lunar rocks.
"Make it stop."
Glancing at the captain next to him, Jones asked in a worried voice: "Speaking of which... when can we go home?"
Because Jones, who was standing next to him, didn't look much calmer than him at the moment.
Theoretically speaking, it is impossible. The peaceful development and utilization of outer space resources is a consensus reached by all countries. Experts from all over the world are on this space station, and there are countless astronomical observatories on the earth with their lenses pointed here.
At this moment, the door of the living cabin suddenly opened.
However, due to the low gravity environment on the moon, the moon dust flying everywhere has not yet settled.
If the device is deployed successfully and works successfully. In the next step, the Lunar Orbital Construction Committee will consider continuing to deploy automated vacuum consumable arc melting devices on the lunar surface to process the mined titanium ore into titanium ingots or even titanium alloys to fill part of the second phase of the Lunar Palace project and lunar surface research Structural material requirements for the facility.
"What about Tevye? Why can't I see anyone else lately?"
If the Chinese plan to test weapons on the moon, they must be crazy.
Hundreds of thousands of kilometers away in lunar orbit.
Almost at the same time as the button was pressed, the signal light on the top of the automatic mining device flickered slightly, as if in response to the call of the Lunar Palace, it moved like a giant beast crawling on the moon.
Johnson was silent for a while and then continued.
"Are they... testing weapons on the moon?"
Looking at Johnson with surprise written on his face, Zhao Shuxuan paused for a moment and continued in a serious tone, "In order to verify our conjecture, I need you to cooperate with us in conducting some experiments."
"This is the ground command center. Congratulations on completing your mission. Now please check the deployment of automated mining equipment on the lunar surface. If there are no abnormalities, please start the next test subject in ten minutes."
"There may be something wrong with him."
Not far from the Yuegong space station, a six-sided prism-shaped silver-white device was dropped from the belly cargo compartment of the Queqiao and fell towards the lunar surface.
"The device started successfully and is running well."
"I heard... He seemed to be infected with the terrible Martian virus. Could it be that we also..." Jones' face turned pale as he thought of something terrible.
"Expand the mounting bracket!"
After skillfully completing all the testing items and confirming that the device had been deployed successfully, the staff on board the Yuegong immediately pressed the button to start the device.
"What's the matter? Is there any progress in research?"
After the supporting smelting device is deployed, the discharge port of the entire automated mining device will be connected to the smelting device through special pipelines and transported into the smelting furnace by crawlers to achieve fully automated production.
However, Zhao Shuxuan's words exceeded his expectations.
"receive."
As early as a few months ago, the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study collaborated with a number of domestic research institutions to initiate a project to develop automated mining equipment on the lunar surface.
"God... what are those Chinese people doing to the moon?"
Standing next to the porthole of the Lunar Palace's living cabin, looking at the dusty moon from a distance, Johnson opened his mouth, his face full of shock.
She only saw the Chinese throwing something from the spacecraft, and then billowing moon dust covered the sky and floated up, as if it had been hit by a missile.
As the drill bit began to rotate and push downward, the titanium-containing moon rock blocking the front was quickly split into countless fragments. After being processed through a spiral crushed ore pipe, it gushes out from the discharge port on the side of the device.
The two Yuegong staff who had not dared to stare at the screen for a moment before finally breathed a sigh of relief. After briefly celebrating each other with high fives, they immediately returned to their mission.
When he asked this question, Johnson originally had no hope. After all, only a few days had passed since the international experts arrived at the Lunar Palace. A solution to the problem could be found in such a short period of time. It's just too difficult.
He was silent for a while. It was not until the "construction site" covered with moon dust disappeared from his sight as the space station slowly moved that he said something in a voice that sounded like he was talking to himself.
No one answered him.
Fortunately, the Chinese did not prevent him from learning the truth of the matter. In his communication with the NASA director, he basically had a rough understanding of the whole story.
"receive."
"… I hope not."
At the moment when the silvery-white edge came into contact with the moon, gray lunar dust shot up into the sky under the impact of the mining equipment.
Glancing at his teammates, Johnson casually comforted him even though he was upset.
"Countdown to impact... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Successful landing!"
The fixed tripod on the side of the device quickly opened and, like four hooks, was firmly nailed into the moon rock beneath its feet.
Although he said this, he didn't have any confidence in his heart.