Rebirth: Starting from Lighting Up the Tech Tree

Chapter 185 International Cooperation

A week after the letter from the European Space Agency arrived, the delegation arrived in Hangzhou. It was 10:00 AM, and the weather in Hangzhou was clear.

Leading the team was Deputy Director Feng Rui, in his fifties with silver-gray hair, who had served as a coordinator in several international aerospace projects. Accompanying him were three technical experts and a business representative. Zuo Cheng stood at the main entrance of the 402 headquarters to greet them, with Yu Ying and Li Guodong standing on either side.

Feng Rui got out of the car and shook hands with Zuo Cheng. His hand was dry but strong.

"Mr. Zuo, we've been following 402 for a long time," he said. "From the successful launch of Sky One to the announcement of the StarNet project, your speed has been impressive."

"Thank you. Please come in."

Zuo Cheng led the delegation on a tour of the rocket factory. Feng Rui stopped in front of the Cangqiong-1 model, looking up at the twelve-meter-tall rocket body.

What is the low Earth orbit payload capacity of this model?

"Ten tons," Zuo Cheng said. "The improved version can reach fifteen tons."

"How many times can it be recycled and reused?"

"The design target was 20 runs. Currently, we've verified up to the fifth run, with no performance degradation."

Feng Rui nodded and continued walking. He lingered longer in the satellite production line area. Automated robotic arms were assembling a small satellite, from substrate welding to solar panel installation, the entire process taking no more than fifteen minutes.

What is the annual output of this production line?

"Currently, we have two thousand units," Yu Ying replied. "Once the new factory goes into operation, we can increase that to ten thousand units."

Feng Rui exchanged a glance with the technical expert beside him.

After the tour, both sides sat down in the conference room. Feng Rui got straight to the point.

"Mr. Zuo, the European Space Agency's visit is to explore potential cooperation. We have the technology and the need, but we lack low-cost launch capabilities. Your SpaceX-1 project is priced at only one-third of SpaceX's, which is very attractive to us."

"What are the directions for cooperation?" Zuo Cheng asked.

"Two directions," Feng Rui said. "First, launch services. We have a batch of satellites and scientific payloads that need to be sent into orbit, totaling about twenty launch missions. Second, technological cooperation. We have some experience in deep space exploration and satellite platforms, which we can share with 402."

Zuo Cheng did not respond immediately.

"Launch services are negotiable," he said, "but for technical cooperation, I need to know the specifics."

Feng Rui gestured to the technical expert next to him, who then opened his laptop and displayed a list of technologies.

"This is what we can provide: deep space communication protocols, high-precision spaceborne clocks, and radiation-resistant electronic component design specifications. These will all be valuable to your StarNet project."

Zuo Cheng glanced at the list.

"What do you want in exchange?"

"Some details about rocket recovery technology," Feng Rui said. "Not all of it, just a few key parameters in the vertical landing control algorithm. Europe is also developing reusable rockets, but attitude control has always been a bottleneck."

Zuo Cheng leaned back in his chair.

"Director Feng, rocket recovery is 402's core competitive advantage. A few key parameters may not sound like much, but the research and development costs behind them exceed one billion."

"So we're willing to pay a premium," Feng Rui said. "Twenty launch missions, with a total contract value of 10 billion yuan. Of that, 7 billion yuan is for launch costs, and 3 billion yuan is for technology licensing fees."

The meeting room fell silent.

Ten billion. This is the largest single contract since the establishment of 402.

Zuo Cheng looked at Yu Ying. Yu Ying nodded slightly.

"We can discuss it," Zuo Cheng said, "but there are a few conditions. First, the technology license is limited to use within the European Space Agency and cannot be transferred to any third party. Second, the launch mission must be completed within three years; any delays will be renegotiated. Third, during the cooperation period, the European Space Agency cannot sign similar technology-sharing agreements with SpaceX."

Feng Rui pondered for a moment.

"The first two are fine. I need to consult with you about the third."

"Okay," Zuo Cheng said, "Give me an answer within three days."

The next day, Feng Rui's reply arrived. He also accepted the third condition.

The signing ceremony was scheduled for three days later at the 402 headquarters. The exhibition hall at the 402 headquarters was temporarily converted into the signing venue, with a backdrop reading "402 Technology and European Space Agency Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony". Both parties invited more than a dozen media outlets to attend.

Zuo Cheng and Feng Rui signed the contract and then shook hands. A flurry of camera flashes went off.

The core terms of the contract have been released: the European Space Agency has commissioned 402 to carry out twenty launch missions, with a total contract value of 10 billion euros. Simultaneously, Europe is granting 402 access to three core technologies, and 402 is licensing five key parameters of its rocket vertical landing control algorithm to Europe.

After the signing ceremony, Zuo Cheng met with Feng Rui privately in the conference room.

"Director Feng, I have a question I'd like to ask directly," Zuo Cheng said. "Why did Europe choose us instead of SpaceX?"

Feng Rui smiled.

"Two reasons. First, price. Your offer is indeed more competitive. Second, and more importantly, politics. SpaceX has too deep ties with the US military, and Europe doesn't want to entrust its entire space infrastructure to one company."

"So we're just a backup plan?"

"No," Feng Rui shook his head, "You are an option. Europeans believe in options."

Zuo Cheng nodded.

After seeing the delegation off, Zuo Cheng returned to his office. Yu Ying followed him in, holding a document in her hand.

"The launch schedule is out. Twenty launches, to be completed within three years, averaging 0.5 launches per month. With domestic orders added, our launch frequency will double."

Is the launch site adequate?

"The Northwest base can handle 70% of the launches. The remaining 30% requires either building a new launch site or coordinating with existing launch centers."

"Initiate the site selection process for a new launch site," Zuo Cheng said. "Coastal areas, low latitudes, are the priority."

What about the budget?

"It will come from the advance payment for European orders."

Yu Ying nodded and turned to leave.

Zuo Cheng sat alone in his office, gazing out at Hangzhou. A contract worth 10 billion yuan, three core European technologies, and the licensing of five key parameters. This deal transformed 402 from a leading enterprise in China into a core player in the global commercial space industry.

The phone on the table rang, and Han Lu's voice came through.

"Mr. Zuo, the founder of SpaceX posted a tweet."

"What did you say?"

He said, "Competition makes space a better place. Welcome 402 to the game."

Zuo Cheng's lips curled up in a smile.

"Reply to him. Say we don't play games, we set the rules."

He put down the phone and his gaze fell on the world map on the wall.

Europe has been taken. Next up are Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The StarNet project, consisting of 12,000 satellites, requires support from the global market.