An endless expanse of darkness.
A pitch-black aerospace plane slowly emerged from the edge of the starry curtain. Silent radio waves echoed through the vast depths of space, exchanging messages with the ground command center tens of millions of kilometers away, each delayed by more than a hundred seconds.
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"This is Messenger. We are approaching New Continent."
"Move in."
"Received."
Rosy Glow was the vessel's model designation.
Messenger, meanwhile, was the codename assigned to this aerospace plane for the operation.
Ever since the space industry had shifted from an elite endeavor to one of large-scale production, not to mention the early Auspicious models that had gradually ceased production, there were now more than five Rosy Glow vessels operating in outer space. There were even more Queqiao spacecraft.
If they continued referring to vessels by model designation, it would be easy to cause confusion, so they had begun using codenames instead.
Seated in the pilot's chair, Xu Zhenghong reached out and pulled the control lever on his right, then pressed the orbit-lock button.
With the help of the automatic navigation system, co-pilot Liu Biao carefully monitored the speed and distance readings as he coordinated with Xu Zhenghong to steer Rosy Glow toward the intersection of Mars transfer orbit and MOI3 Orbit.
"Activate the high-gain directional antenna and the laser calibration system."
"Received."
The most crucial moment had arrived.
They had only one chance. They could successfully enter orbit only if the three key parameters—speed, insertion angle, and distance—all met the requirements.
If they missed it, they would have to make another full orbit around Mars, or at least half an orbit, to correct their trajectory.
A single minute felt