Chapter 706: Returning From Orbit!

On New Year’s Day.

Almost half of China was celebrating the launch of Skyglow, regardless of whether or not they knew anything about aerospace. Most people didn’t understand the difference between ion thruster and chemical propulsion, or what a Hall effect thruster was. However, Skyglow was the first spacecraft that could travel between Earth and outer space, and this was a huge victory for China.

But on this glorious day, the sudden report from The New York Times poured an ounce of worry into everyone’s head.

In this report, The New York Times manipulated the NASA spokesperson’s speech while also citing opinions from the Silicon Valley aerospace engineers, which all said that Skyglow had massive design flaws.

And because of these design flaws, re-entry on earth might be fatal.

The end result could be similar to the Space Shuttle Columbia, which disintegrated during atmospheric entry…

The moment this report was released, it spread quickly across Twitter and Facebook.

After this report was spread to China, people were outraged. Especially since the 25-second New Year’s Day celebration video just came out, this immediately masked the successful launch.

No one was excited anymore.

A lot of people even began to pray for Professor Lu.

[For f*ck’s sake! Americans are evil! They cursed our plane!]

[Is it even possible to curse a plane? I think they’re just kindly reminding us.]

[I don’t know! I think the Americans are scheming something, they’re not going to strike it with a missile, right?]

[MiG-25: As long as I run fast enough, missiles can’t catch me.]

[Pray for God Lu (candle) (candle) (candle)]

[I hope Skyglow and God Lu return safely. (candle)]

[…]

This topic quickly went on trending.

Fortunately, Lu Zhou couldn’t go on his phone. Otherwise, he would burst out laughing.

Fatal re-entry?

Impossible…

Even if they couldn’t return, there was a backup escape cabin available. Lu Zhou wouldn’t risk his life like this.

400 km in the sky.

Skyglow was in low-Earth orbit. The crew had already completed numerous basic operations such as orbital flight, cabin pressure regulation, sanitary system testing, weightless sleeping, eating, etc. They also observed the possible effects of cosmic rays on 20 different plants and seeds.

After completing the series of flight tests and scientific experiments, the flight time was 23 hours 50 minutes.

Just like they had planned, the ground command center ordered Skyglow to restart its engine, in preparation for returning to Earth.

Nie Yan was sitting in the co-pilot’s seat, checking the energy supply components, and she imitated the voice of a flight attendant as she said, “Professor Lu, please put on your spacesuit and sit in your seat. Our flight is landing soon…”

“I know, you don’t have to remind me.” Lu Zhou smiled and gave two thumbs-up as he said, “You got this, land this thing safely.”

Lu Zhou was in a good mood.

This finally scratched his itch for space.

Of course, the most important thing was the 50,000 experience points and the lucky draw ticket.

The 50,000 experience points alone was worth the cost of this flight.

Nie Yun turned around and forced a smile, but his palms were drenched.

Re-entry was just as difficult as the initial launch.

Even though the Skyglow return path was theoretically safer than its launch path, there were no guarantees there wouldn’t be any accidents. After all, this was his first time flying so high…

“Professor, can you promise me one thing?”

Lu Zhou: “What thing?”

“If we safely land…”

“Stop!” Lu Zhou raised his hand and interrupted Nie Yun as he said, “Don’t jinx us. I’ll promise you whatever you want once we land.”

Just don’t be too ridiculous.

Also, it can’t be anything about my love life.

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However, Nie Yun didn’t listen.

Seeing how Lu Zhou was trying to dismiss him, Nie Yun removed his hands from the control console and spoke aggressively.

“No, I have to say it now!”

Lu Zhou: “…”

For f*ck’s sake!

Can’t you just wait an hour or two?

Lu Zhou sighed and said reluctantly, “Okay then… Say it, but I can’t make any guarantees.”

Nie Yun: “My request is simple, just promise me this is your last time going to space!”

Lu Zhou was stunned.

There’s no way I’m agreeing!

I’m still young!

When Lu Zhou saw how determined Nie Yun was, he reluctantly compromised.

“At best, I can promise you that this is my last time flying with you.”

Nie Yun thought for a second and nodded.

“Ok!”

Just don’t be on my flight again.

If anything happens, my name will be shamed forever.

After spending so many years in the army, this was his first time afraid of dying.

“Okay, Brother, stop it!”

Nie Yan shook her head and pressed a few buttons on the control panel.

“Navigation system is turned on, confirm there are no malfunctions, energy supply machine has been turned on. Engine 1 and 2 are on standby.

“Ready to exit orbit.”

Nie Yun was calm, cool, and collected. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, he said, “Let’s go home!”

…

Regardless of whether it was an aerospace plane or a space shuttle, returning from low-earth orbit was always a difficult task.

As the co-pilot, Nie Yan checked the “fuel” status of Skyglow. The remaining amounts of deuterium and tritium were sufficient. They had enough for a second round trip. The small problem was the xenon in the working medium compartment; there was only 21% remaining.

After all, they had to reach a certain amount of force to escape Earth’s gravity. If they wanted to get in low-Earth orbit, they had to increase the amount of working medium ejection. They also had to lower the specific impulse but increase the engine thrust.

However, this amount of working medium was plenty for the re-entry.

With the ground command center’s guidance and Skyglow’s intelligent navigation system, Nie Yun successfully finished the orbital change and entered the transfer orbit.

At the same time, in NASA’s satellite control room, exclaims were heard.

“Target began atmospheric entry”

“The Pacific Ocean is going to be their graveyard,” Aiden said while staring at the green dot on the screen. He said, “I hope the spacecraft is the only thing salvageable.”

Several workers monitoring the spacecraft movement frowned.

This was too devious for them.

Even though China was their competitor…

The engineer who was sitting in front of the console stared nervously at the green dot. When it was near the density boundary of the atmosphere, he spoke.

“Skyglow’s trajectory is abnormal…”

Aiden slammed his hands on the table and said happily, “There’s an accident?”

Did God hear my wishes?

If they really land in the Pacific Ocean, we will gladly help them salvage the spacecraft parts.

“Their return trajectory is different than what we expected…”

Aiden’s excitement faded. He frowned as he asked, “What do you mean?”

“There’s only one possibility.”

“What is it?”

“They still have fuel left…” the engineer said in disbelief, “a lot of fuel left.”