Beyond the Extraordinary Universe.
September 12, 2030, Hainan Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site.
According to the weather forecast, the next few hours would provide a rare launch window.
As the three astronauts took the elevator inside the more than 140-meter-tall "mobile launch platform" and boarded the spacecraft, the lunar mission officially entered its launch phase.
Command Center: "Entering launch countdown. Ten, nine... three, two, one, ignition!"
Rumble! Amid a tremendous roar, the five high-powered aerospace engines at the tail of the more than 100-meter-tall Shenzhou-10 launch vehicle ignited successfully. Amid dazzling light and the cheers of people outside the launch site, the rocket rapidly rose into the sky.
The first-stage rocket accelerated to 9,300 kilometers per hour. At an altitude of 70 kilometers, its engines shut down, and the first stage separated.
The second-stage rocket then ignited. In 6 minutes and 30 seconds, it accelerated to 25,000 kilometers per hour before separating at an altitude of 175 kilometers.
Finally, the third-stage rocket ignited and operated for only around two minutes, sending the spacecraft into Earth orbit.
At that point, mission commander Yin Xuejiang reported to the command center, "The launch operation has been a complete success."
Applause came through the communicators, but this was only the first step of the operation. After a brief round of celebration, everyone remained on high alert.
After orbiting Earth three and a half times, the spacecraft found a suitable transfer point. The third-stage rocket ignited again, and the spacecraft broke free of Earth orbit, heading for the Moon.
At this point, the protective shroud at the very front of the rocket opened, revealing the Mengzhou spacecraft that would carry out this lunar mission. The spacecraft separated from the rocket and continued toward its destination alone.
Mengzhou had reached a speed of around 40,000 kilometers per