Chapter 657: Chapter 298: Satellite Launch_2
There were ten staff members conducting research in front of computers, and even the General Sect Leader couldn’t understand the flickering data content. There were also some holding professional instruments and manually assembling components, with a vehicle-mounted satellite rocket placed next to them.
The scale was not large; its main purpose was to perform first and second stage rocket separation, breach the atmosphere, and send microsatellites smoothly into orbit. The model number sg52-015 was also written on it, indicating it had undergone several experiments.
For large satellites, more powerful rockets are required, and the funding and technical consumption cannot be afforded by ordinary small companies. For example, with Starlink satellites, it takes professional large companies and technological foundations to contract such rocket launches into space.
The difficulty of launching medium to large satellites is different from that of small and microsatellites, which are the most cost-effective in terms of both cost and performance ratio. They are mostly used by companies and individuals.
The diverse functionality and attributes of a set of microsatellites are no less than those of professional medium and large satellites. Their strategy is that if quality is insufficient, quantity will make up for it! A change in quantity will cause a change in quality.
Starlink also uses this principle, winning with quantity, to construct a dense celestial network. However, Starlink is not just about quantity; each satellite is also very professional, belonging to the medium and large category. The cost of launching one is at least several million US dollars.
Martin introduced the group to various instruments’ functions and purposes, and then led them to the experimental rocket, “This is our latest satellite launcher. We have already developed a satellite rocket before and successfully put private satellites into low earth orbit. We are confident we can complete this test and launch. What is the main purpose of your satellite?”
Blitz replied: “Our main goal is to conduct routine weather monitoring and positioning navigation. It will enable communication devices to connect to networks, allowing for satellite phone calls and video conversations. We are also preparing to establish an independent database for storing data.”
“You must be a programmer well-versed in software development, right? Then you probably don’t need our help with network technology issues. Private satellites have their own basic data packages; you should be able to handle this. Don’t worry, leave the launching to us, there won’t be any problems! Previously, a YouTube influencer ordered with us. He mainly launched microsatellites for capturing 4K and HD celestial photos, and also built a database. We helped him complete the satellite launch as well; he only spent two hundred thousand US dollars,” Martin said with a smile.
Satellite launching is a tedious matter, the preparations take several hours. Nevertheless, the lab staff were busy and eager to do field testing. Without the successful completion of the satellite launch test upwards, it would mean that the product quality is inferior, and there would be no market to sell for money.
Even though the company headquarters regularly allocate funds to the research institute, it depends on the progress of their research. They can’t always rest on their laurels; developing this satellite rocket has already burned through several million US dollars.
Although the last developed rocket was sold at a good price, it didn’t have much connection to the lab’s funding. Besides the regular investment, the research institute has long been so poor they’re barely scraping by.
“We launch satellite rockets based on the actual needs of the customers. We need to determine the satellite’s orbit and mission objectives, including communication, meteorological observation, and earth resource detection. These objectives will determine the satellite’s shape, size, power, and payload, etc. Did you bring your private satellite?” Martin asked.
Sieg immediately took out the private satellite. Martin was somewhat surprised by how new it looked, appearing as if it was freshly bought.
“Oh, we have also had contact with this type of satellite before; it’s a product co-produced by the Mayweather company. We have also cooperated with them before.”
Martin immediately called someone over to inspect the satellite’s exterior, and then they conducted an electrical performance test, propulsion system test, nose cone deployment test, and so on.
In the end, they found that all the data was normal, with no problems whatsoever.
“Now we can start loading and mounting the satellite onto the launcher. You can sit in the rest area and wait for us to complete the preparations before the launch.”
After saying this, Martin led a few people to the rest area, while he and the other staff members started disassembling parts of the vehicle-mounted rocket launcher, placing the satellite into the appropriate payload adapter, and connecting and securing it to the carrier rocket. This content belongs to novelꜰire.net
The carrier rocket also needed to be assembled and loaded, which included putting together the parts of each stage of the rocket and loading fuel or propellant, followed by thorough checks and testing of the rocket and satellite.
This included functional system testing, structural integrity checks, electrical and communication inspections, etc., to ensure all equipment and systems operated properly.
After they were done with these meticulous processes, more than an hour had already passed.
The staff then drove the vehicle-mounted rocket out of the lab and called for the General Sect Leader and his group to head to the second-floor control Observation Tower to watch.
Within the launch window, Allen Zhang also saw the lab staff bustling about, transporting the loaded satellite and carrier rocket to the launch platform, getting everything ready for launch.