Vandenberg Air Force Base is located on the coast of southern California, just north of Point Aguero, with an area of approximately 280 square kilometers and a coastline of nearly 51.5 kilometers.
In the United States, the famous Cape Canaveral launch site is as famous as Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Cape Canaveral Launch Site is located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the east coast of the United States, and Vandenberg Air Force Base is located in California, on the west coast. The former is the East Range of the U.S. Air Force, as well as the famous Kennedy Space Center, while Vandenberg Air Force Base is located on the west coast of California. It is the West Range of the US Air Force and the second largest space launch center in the United States.
The geographical location here is special and can launch high-inclination orbit and polar orbit satellites to the west. In 1972, it was selected as the space shuttle launch base on the west coast of the United States.
Unlike the Kennedy Launch Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base does not support civilian launches and is an Air Force experimental launch site.
At this time, on the space launch platform No. 11, which had just been newly built at Vandenberg Air Force Base, this behemoth was being erected - the latest super-heavy launch vehicle 'Hercules 1'.
Vandenberg Base has launched the Thor medium-range ballistic missile, a historical symbol of the United States, and has also launched multiple Hercules launch vehicles, witnessing the most glorious moments of the United States.
Today, the Hercules series of rockets are back in the global spotlight, demonstrating the still glorious ambitions of the United States.
Shanahan looked up at the giant launch vehicle in front of him with satisfaction in his eyes.
The Pentagon’s investment over the years has finally paid off. Now that the global space exploration craze is heating up, it is very necessary for them to show their strength globally.
Hercules 1 is a two-stage rocket with a total length of 60 meters and a diameter of 7.6 meters. The thrust of the rocket engine reaches 1,330 tons and the take-off weight of the rocket reaches 1,170 tons.
This is only a two-stage rocket that has reached such a terrifying take-off weight.
But that’s not all the new Hercules launch vehicle is capable of.
The Hercules 2 designed by Kane is the most powerful. The three-stage launch vehicle can reach a total length of 130 meters. The diameter of the first-stage rocket is 15 meters, which is larger than the Saturn 5 that sent astronauts to the moon. The rocket is even larger, and each stage of the rocket can be recycled and reused. That is the most powerful capability of the new Hercules rocket.
Today's mission does not require the use of the Hercules 2 launch vehicle for the time being.
On the Hercules 1 rocket, the target of this delivery was also fixed: the Falcon space-based spacecraft.
The diameter of the spacecraft is about 4 meters, similar to the shape of an airplane. It also carries powerful space-based laser weapons inside, which can attack satellites in space. In addition, it also carries warheads and weapon systems for hypersonic weapons. Command platform.
If necessary, they can use a small launch vehicle to send nuclear warheads and tungsten rods into the Falcon. The deterrent effect is self-evident.
This is the most important part of the Pentagon's Falcon program and the key to entering the second phase of the Falcon program.
China's achievements in space exploration, as well as the successful docking of the Army Ant Group's aerospace plane with the Lingxiao space station, made them a little anxious.
Therefore, the Falcon plan is accelerated and released to the global view in advance to flex its muscles. The plan is a bit crazy, but in order to maintain the advantage, it has to take risks.
"finished."
Kane came to Shanahan with an indifferent expression, as if his work was about to amaze the world and he wouldn't care too much.
As for the issue of rocket launch failure, he had never thought about it and had full confidence in his years of hard work.
"Ready to launch?" Shanahan asked.
"Yes." Kane nodded coldly.
Shanahan was already used to Kane's indifference, so without his urging, the group headed towards the launch control center.
Some of the people in the launch control center were transferred from the Kennedy Launch Center, and some were experts in military missile launches. In order to increase the success rate of this launch as much as possible, they made the most adequate preparations.
At this time, the atmosphere in the launch center was a bit tense.
Even if they are experienced, they cannot remain calm because they know the significance of this launch. If Hercules 1 successfully launches, their country will gain global deterrence. If it fails, the consequences will be disastrous.
For fear of failure, the launch was not allowed to be broadcast live by the media.
Now that they are ready, through the large screen in the control center, they can clearly see Hercules 1 leaning alone on the launch tower.
Time passed by seconds while waiting, and soon it was time to launch.
Shanahan sat quietly in his position, quietly watching the commander announce preparations for launch. As the countdown began, his palms clenched unconsciously.
At this moment, he was a little nervous and stared straight at the big screen.
“… 3… 2… 1… ”
"ignition!!"
Shanahan's heart skipped a beat when he heard the commander's final ignition. Others also showed nervous expressions. Only Kane was sitting in his seat, holding the coffee with an expressionless face and glancing at the big picture without any fluctuation in his eyes. Screen.
Puff puff…
As the rocket ignited successfully, the cooling water below evaporated instantly, and the water vapor formed a huge cloud covering the entire launch tower. Hercules 1 carrying the Falcon was seen rising slowly beside the mist-filled launch tower. .
Everyone's eyes followed the ascent of Hercules 1, and they didn't dare to breathe.
The tens of seconds after ignition starts are the most important. Many rocket accidents occur at this stage.
Hercules 1, in the eyes of everyone, continues to rise in height, until it reaches the sky.
It wasn't until the ground camera couldn't see the shadow of Hercules 1 that Shanahan relaxed a little and showed a smile. At least there was no problem during the take-off phase. The first dangerous period was safely passed. Next is the time to wait for the results. .
The next day, the Pentagon announced that Hercules 1 had successfully launched the Falcon into space's intended Earth orbit.
The news once again shocked the world.
"The Falcon space-based weapons platform successfully entered its intended orbit!" 》
"A superpower is always a superpower!" 》
"U.S. launches Falcon program"
…
Numerous Western media outlets have reported wildly, almost all describing the strength of the United States, which seems to be exaggerating.
After NASA announced the successful launch of Zeus, the core module of the space station, now it is the United States again, this time sending the more terrifying and larger 'Falcon' space armed warship into space.
If the space station is a peaceful use of space, then the Falcon launch will be the Sword of Damocles hanging over the world.
With a mobile weapons platform overhead, no one can sleep peacefully.
Countries that are at odds with the United States collectively oppose the United States launching space-based weapons into space, and even sue the United Nations to demand the peaceful use of space. However, it is of no use.
The global atmosphere has become more subtle as the American Falcon successfully entered its intended orbit.
The originally balanced scales seem to have tilted a little towards the United States, but not enough to make the scales completely unbalanced.
"I came here this time to discuss the order." Li Chengzhi sat in Chen Mo's office, keeping his voice as low as possible and a little cautious, as if he was afraid that someone next to him could hear him.
"Huh? Did your superiors give you instructions?" Chen Mo asked.
"Yes, the order came down." Li Chengzhi did not deny it.
"Tell me, how many?"
The orders they are talking about now are orders for aerospace aircraft.
During the last test flight, Li Chengzhi asked Chen Mo if he could sell the aerospace plane. Chen Mo gave him a price and went back to report. Now, Li Chengzhi came to Chen Mo again with the above instructions, and it obviously had results.
"Four."
"Hiss...seriously?"
Chen Mo couldn't help but be slightly surprised.
The price he gave was 24 billion for one aircraft, and he purchased 4 of them at one time, an order of nearly 100 billion.
"Really." Li Chengzhi affirmed.
"What a rich man." Chen Mo muttered.
What Chen Mo thought was that this order was related to the United States' success in sending the Falcon into orbit.
As Americans begin to develop space-based weapons, they must have countermeasures so that they have the means and strength to fight back when attacked.
For aerospace weapons, the best platform now is the aerospace aircraft, which is also the fastest way to check and balance.
Although there are anti-satellite weapons and missiles, it is definitely a good thing to have more checks and balances and trump cards.
Problems that can be solved with money are not problems.
But 4 is a bit much. It's a gold-eating beast. It costs a lot to feed 4 aerospace planes. According to common sense, the best number is 2-3, one for mission and one for backup. If you are afraid of failure, you can add one more.
After thinking about it, all Chen Mo could think of was to use one for research and the other for aerospace engineering tasks.
"How's it going? Do you want to take this order?" Li Chengzhi asked.
"Take it, why not take it if you can make money?" Chen Mo agreed without hesitation.
The superiors were eager for an aerospace plane to bolster their national defense capabilities, and he had no reason not to agree.
"How long will it take to get it out?"
"Four aircraft will take nearly half a year at the earliest." Chen Mo said.
Although he is now in automated production, that thing is so complicated that one piece per month is already the limit. However, in order to ensure quality and safety, it must be slowed down and postponed for two months.
"Don't you still have one in the making?" Li Chengzhi said.
"The idea of taking that plane is so quick." Chen Mo smiled helplessly: "How impatient are you?"
"No way." Li Chengzhi spread his hands and smiled.
"That one is used as a spare by my space center. If you want that one, I can't give it to you, but I have a grudge." Chen Mo said.
"What kind of unkind invitation?"
"Sell me the forest from the space center to the seaside. I took a brief look and found that it's about 30,000 acres."
“…”
"Don't look at me like that. I used it to expand the space center. It feels a little small now."
“…”
"I don't have flowers on my face. I want to develop a bigger spaceship to prepare for the future."
“…”
Li Chengzhi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He was a terrible guy, even buying land was so domineering. I bought 30,000 acres at one time, and I really dare to ask. However, top-tech scientific research land is very cheap, and the country also has many preferential policies. This guy Chen Mo can really afford it.
"I'll go back and ask."
After seeing off Li Chengzhi, Chen Mo also went to the research institute in Building 1.
With the aerospace plane completed, he is preparing for his next goal: to go into space and land on the moon.
Now is just the beginning. The universe has endless secrets and resources. This step is necessary to prepare for the future.
(End of chapter)