Voyage

Early February, Year 19, with the Spring Festival approaching.

At the Heavenly Gate Space Station in low Earth orbit, the 001 spacecraft of the two Zhurong-class vessels had been loaded with fuel and 4,500 tons of supplies.

The ship's pilot, Cheng Lin, and the two co-pilots, Qin Tianci and Wang Yunhai, checked the spacecraft's various data.

Calmly, Cheng Lin instructed, "Yunhai, conduct the final inspection."

"Okay." Wang Yunhai's fingers flew across rows of buttons, entering a dizzying array of commands.

Meanwhile, Qin Tianci communicated with the Heavenly Gate Space Station, preparing for departure twenty minutes later.

Time passed in a flash, and twenty minutes soon elapsed.

The voice of the spaceport controller sounded through the Heavenly Gate Space Station's broadcast system. "Zhurong-class 001 spacecraft, you meet all launch requirements. You are now cleared for takeoff."

"This is Cheng Lin. Zhurong-class 001 spacecraft acknowledges. Beginning launch countdown..."

"10... 8..."

"Ignition. Takeoff."

The auxiliary engines started first, pushing the Zhurong-class 001 spacecraft out of its dock and sending it upward.

At the same time, the Zhurong-class 002 spacecraft on the other side also activated its auxiliary engines. However, 002 was not taking off for Venus, but to rebalance the Heavenly Gate Space Station.

This was also one of the drawbacks of symmetrical docks.

Zhurong-class 001 headed toward Venus, accelerating continuously.

After readjusting its position, Zhurong-class 002 docked once more between Docks Seven and Eight of the Heavenly Gate Space Station. There was a temporary berthing position there. Though it could not be used for shipbuilding, it was more than sufficient for replenishing supplies and fuel.

The Zhurong-class 001 spacecraft continued accelerating until, an hour and a half later, it finally reached its cruising speed of 12 kilometers per second.

According to the flight plan, this journey to Venus would take roughly 112