Chapter 1068 Rushing to Outer Space (Second update, please subscribe)
With the roar of Thunder fighter jets flying through the sky, the Iraqi Air Force officers wearing British military uniforms at the airport all had expressions on their faces. Excitedly pointing at the aircraft in the sky, they communicated in Arabic from time to time, and occasionally asked the Nanyang Air Force personnel around them in English.
“Can these aircraft launch Sidewinders?”
Colonel Hussein asked, in fact, for the Iraqi Air Force, they have other options, such as the American F86 There was a big sale, but in the end they chose the F1 Thunderbolt, for no other reason than the Sidewinder missiles unique to Nanyang. During the Suez Canal Crisis, the Sidewinder missiles stole the show.
Not only did it attract the attention of small countries, but the United States also purchased hundreds of them for testing. As for the Royal Air Force, it directly purchased thousands of Sidewinders to intercept Soviet bombers.
In the eyes of Hussein and others, as long as Iraq is equipped with Sidewinder missiles, it will definitely be the most beautiful fighter in the Middle East. With it, sweeping the Israeli Air Force will not be as simple as cutting melons and vegetables.
“Of course, as long as they are modified accordingly, all aircraft can launch Sidewinder missiles. Even ace pilots are vulnerable to Sidewinder missiles.”
When the company employees on the ground exaggeratedly described the power of Sidewinder missiles, Gao Binghan in the air would definitely curse if he heard it, but today he seemed a little absent-minded. My eyes can't help but glance at the photo on the side.
Just yesterday, his wife told him that she was pregnant.
For Gao Binghan, who is about to become a father, he is now immersed in the joy of becoming a father.
An air show ended quickly. As soon as he and his comrades got off the plane, the ground crew told him that the captain called all the pilots for a meeting in the pilot war room.
"Meeting? What meeting?"
The moment Gao Binghan and his wingman "Tiger" stepped into the war room side by side, dozens of pilots had gathered in the room, their eyes twinkling. With curiosity and expectation for the unknown. Apart from the calm figure of the captain, a man in casual clothes is particularly eye-catching. Even if he takes off his military uniform, the unique fortitude and courage of a soldier can still be difficult to hide.
Captain Sun Chenhai looked around for a week. After confirming that all his subordinates were present, his voice rang in the quiet air, with a solemnity that could not be ignored: "Everyone, you have gathered here today for an extraordinary mission. It is urgent for us to shoulder it." After saying this, his words were shocking,
"Now, all unmarried pilots are asked to leave first."
As soon as these words came out, the pilots looked at each other with confusion on their faces. Upon seeing this, Captain Sun reiterated it again and added a more stringent condition:
"Those who are married but have no heirs, please withdraw."
This instruction is like a cold wind. It blew across the lake, causing ripples in everyone's heart. They had a vague feeling that this was an unusual journey, and the risks and challenges behind it might be far beyond imagination.
Just as the atmosphere was solemn, Gao Binghan mustered up his courage, with a hint of anxiety in his voice:
"Captain, although I have been newly married not long ago, my wife is pregnant. This..."< br>
Before he finished speaking, the man in casual clothes had already taken over the conversation, briefly and directly:
"How many months has it been?"
"The due date is about November."
In casual clothes The man nodded slightly, with a deep look in his eyes:
“Have you thought about it carefully?”
Gao Binghan stood at attention with a firm gaze: "Yes, sir."
"Very good, you stay."
With rounds of screening, only thirty people were left in the conference room. The two pilots looked at each other, with doubts about the unknown and desire for glory in their eyes, but without any fear. They understand the risks involved in their people's missions.
It is nothing more than death!
The man in plain clothes stood up and glanced at them deeply:
"What you are about to face is an unprecedented challenge, a mission that is extremely risky and may even leave your life engraved in the sea of stars forever. Now, if anyone wants to quit, I will never force it."
His tone was full of understanding and respect, but the faces of the pilots were filled with perseverance and unyieldingness. They looked at each other, and without any words, they had reached a tacit understanding - for this glory and dream, they were willing to give everything.
“You may have heard the famous saying of Soviet scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, ‘The earth is the cradle of mankind, but mankind will not live in the cradle forever.’ Today, I stand Here, I want to select future astronauts from among you to conquer the unknown universe!"
As soon as these words came out, the whole room seemed to be shaken by an invisible force, and everyone was shocked! They were stunned, including Gao Binghan. His mouth was slightly open and his eyes were full of disbelief.
Astronaut?
Going to space?
This is not just a "high-risk mission", but also the ultimate challenge of human courage!
After all, humans have never been into space!
They are likely to be the first people in space.
The man in casual clothes continued, his tone containing both awe of the unknown and expectations for this group of elites:
"Next, you will accept unprecedented tests, from physical to mental, each one will challenge your limits. Remember, only the best and toughest warriors can overcome many difficulties and become one of the few A few.”
Out of 2,300 pilots, 20 pilots are selected, and this is the cream of the crop.
In the next few days, these pilots from the army, navy and air force began the audition. The first was a rigorous test of physical fitness. Candidates are like gems being scrutinized by precision instruments, and every physiological indicator is measured and evaluated in detail. From the strong beating of the heart, to the tenacity of the bones, to the ability to adapt to extreme environments, every subtle difference may determine whether they stay or go.
The next step is the exploration of the intellectual maze. Complex simulation tasks, sophisticated data analysis, emergency response to emergencies... Every challenge challenges the brain's intelligence and reaction speed to the extreme. In this way, one pilot after another was eliminated. Although they were all the best among the elite, they were eventually eliminated.
Finally, after half a month, 10 candidates were shortlisted. When the final list was announced, Gao Binghan's name was clearly on the list. His face was filled with the joy of victory and infinite longing for the future.
Go to space!
I have a chance to go to space!
……
“It’s just the beginning.”
After learning that the astronaut candidates had been selected, Li Yian seemed very calm and just said something quietly.
As for how to train astronauts, Li Yian is a complete layman. At most, he knows that the United States and Russia have trained astronauts in swimming pools, but how is it done? I'm afraid only God knows, everything in this era is fumbling.
When Gagarin went into space, did the Soviets know how to train astronauts?
Obviously they don’t know. Everyone is groping on a piece of white paper without any precedent to follow. This is the greatest thing about early space exploration. There is no experience and no precedent. Just personal courage.
"Sir, will this news be announced to the public?"
After listening to Yu Xiangdong's inquiry, Li Yian thought for a while and said.
"Of course it has to be announced. Didn't the Americans announce their "Mercury Project" last year? It's time for us to announce our own manned aviation plan."
Two years ago, The Soviet Union successfully launched the first artificial earth satellite in history, "Spotnik 1", which deeply frightened the United States and made every effort to catch up. Since last year, both the Soviet Union and the United States have made plans for manned spaceflight and begun executing them. It was also from this time that both the United States and the Soviet Union conducted many unmanned flight tests of manned spacecraft, and gradually mastered the capability of manned flight. In fact, Nanyang also started this plan at about the same time.
On October 1 last year, the U.S. government’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration began official operations. On December 17, NASA announced that it would implement the "Mercury Project", whose goal is to send people into space orbit around the Earth and return safely with the spacecraft.
Because the Soviet Union had taken the lead in the race to launch artificial satellites, the United States desperately wanted to make a comeback: to be the first to send people into space before the Soviet Union. As rocket experts led by von Braun worked hard to achieve this goal, NASA issued an "Invitation to Apply for the Research Astronaut Candidate Position." After a series of intense interviews and assessments, 7 candidates were finally selected from 110 candidates.
Compared with the United States and the Soviet Union, Nanyang is obviously much slower. After all, their astronauts have now begun training, and Nanyang has only just begun, but in the end who will lead, I am afraid only God knows.
Soon, the Nanyang Aeronautics and Space Administration announced the "Kuafu Project" to the outside world - of course, it was only the second phase - to send humans into space. And for the first time, it was announced to the outside world that Nanyang has selected the first batch of astronauts, and they will complete corresponding training in the days to come. Eventually they will be sent into space.
"...The ten astronaut candidates are from the Navy, Air Force and Army. They are all the best pilots."
When the news came out on the TV, Gao Binghan turned his attention He turned to his wife who turned to him, thought for a while, and said.
"Jieying,"
"Huh?"
"I'm on the list."
Now I can finally say it, no need to keep it secret anymore.
“What?”
Liu Jieying turned to look at her husband and asked.
"What list?"
"A list of astronaut candidates."
Gao Binghan said seriously.
“I am on the list of astronauts on the TV news!”
For a moment, Liu Jieying was stunned. She just sat there and looked at her husband. Her big black eyes stared at him for a while before speaking.
"You, you are an astronaut!"
Just a candidate...
(End of this chapter)