Chapter 738: NASA Press Conference

9 a.m., Washington time.

In a green room at the NASA press conference.

NASA Director Carson stood in front of the mirror. He adjusted his tie and suddenly spoke.

“Gerstenmaier, do you believe in God?”

Gerstenmaier was sitting in a chair nearby. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“I… Sorry, I don’t believe in God.”

“So you’re a materialist?”

“I guess so.” Gerstenmaier shrugged and said, “I mean, I deal with rockets and satellites all day. I doubt there are any Christians in NASA.”

“It seems like we are different people then.” Carson smiled and slowly said, “I’m an idealist.”

“… So you’re a monotheist?”

“No, I believe in a different kind of idealism. It’s more of a spiritual awakening kind of belief. How to make America great again? It’s not about how to make it great again; it’s about making people believe in America again.”

Carson looked at Gerstenmaier and spoke.

“It’s almost time. The reporters are waiting for us, let’s go.”

…

The lights were turned on.

Director Carson was wearing a suit. He stood in front of the reporters and cameras, and he soon announced the beginning of the press conference.

Normally, this kind of press conference would be done by a dedicated spokesperson, but after considering the incident caused by the poor spokesperson last time, Carson felt like it would be better for him to do it himself.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for participating in our press conference. A week ago, the Congressional Budget Office approved our budget for the first stage of the Ares program. The BFR super rocket will carry the 25-ton life support module system to Mars. A month after that, we will head toward our new home, Mars.”

Director Carson looked at the projector screen behind him.

“This is the life support system.”

The projector screen changed slides.

There was a white dome building in the center of the screen.

The hemispherical white building was divided into two parts, the inner and outer circle. The inner-circle was divided into four blocks, two of which were living quarters, which could accommodate up to four people. Each person was provided with a living space of 5.3 square meters. The other two quarters were used for experiments and living space. One was for scientific research, the other was for comfort.

The outer ring of the life support system could be inflated and folded. It was similar to a vegetable greenhouse, and it was used for cultivating drought-resistant crops and to provide the astronauts with additional food. This was going to reduce the need for transporting supplies from Earth.

There was also a conceptual map of the Mars colony area.

Rows of white hemispherical “tents” were linked together through transparent pipes. 3D rendered human figures were walking between the pipes, and a giant Mars rover was driving nearby on the red desert.

The media members exclaimed.

Even though they had heard the news from NASA’s official Twitter account, NASA didn’t disclose any details about the Ares plan, nor did they explain the life support system.

Now that they were witnessing the life support system on the big screen, people couldn’t help but be shocked.

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Especially when they saw the BFR rocket!

The largest carrying capacity rocket was the Saturn V rocket, which had a moon carrying capacity of 47 tons.

However, Ares’ target wasn’t the low-Earth orbit, nor was it the lunar orbit. It was the planet 55 million kilometers away—Mars!

The reporters were shocked by NASA’s grand plan, and the 300 people in the conference room went into chaos.

Carson was satisfied with the reporter’s reaction, and he coughed before beginning the explanation.

“… After the life support system is successfully deployed on the surface of Mars, it will be able to sustain the needs of 5 astronauts for two to five years. During this period of time, the astronauts will perform many Mars scientific research activities, like exploring the minerals and water reserves on Mars. They will collect first-hand information for our researchers on Earth and pave the way for follow-up projects. Eventually, we will build a self-sufficient community on that red planet!”

The atmosphere of the conference was at a climax.

It was soon the Q&A session.

All of the reporters raised their hands.

Director Carson looked at the reporters, and he naturally chose one from the Washington Post.

The Washington Post was an established media outlet, and there was a lower chance they would give Carson a difficult question to answer. This was the safest option for the NASA director.

A well-known reporter from the Washington Post took this valuable opportunity and spoke.

The reporter reached out with his microphone in his hand and said, “Hello, Mr. Director, we all know that the Ares plan was created recently. Do you think we have enough time to execute this grand plan? Or rather, how confident is NASA at achieving the first stage of the Ares plan?”

Just like Carson had expected, the Washington Post’s question was focused on “preparation time” and “success rate”.

Carson looked at the reporters and said, “It’s true that the Ares plan was created recently. But we have prepared for a Mars landing for a long time. For example, research on the life support system has begun as early as ten years ago. The first test flight for the Space-X BFR was completed two years ago.

“Colonizing Mars is a well thought out plan. I can assure you that we will take all of the precautions!”

Deafening applause filled the venue.

British journalists from the BBC were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to ask questions.

“Mr. Director, we all know that a week ago, China successfully landed a man on the Moon. I want to ask if NASA’s recent Ares plan is a response to China’s behavior?”

The answer was quite obvious.

If it weren’t for China sending astronauts to the Moon, the United States Congress would never in a million years agree to this expensive aerospace project.

NASA really had to thank the Chinese.

After all, if it weren’t for China’s development in the aerospace field, there was no way the Congressional Budget Office was going to be so generous.

Of course, Carson wouldn’t admit to something like this.

“That is ridiculous. We sent an astronaut to the Moon half a century ago. China trying to catch up to us does not make them a worthy opponent.

“Remember, landing on the Moon is old news. Our new goal is to land on Mars, where there are infinite possibilities.”

Click clack!

Photos were being taken in the press conference room.

It was almost like the American reporters were injected with caffeine. They were thrilled. The British reporters were interested, whereas the Russian reporters looked worried.

Regardless of how anyone interpreted it, the NASA director didn’t speak kindly of China.

The Americans didn’t even think of China as a competitor.

While China was trying to catch up, the Americans were already onto bigger and greater things!