"A Mars Dust storm?"
The old man frowned, a trace of concern crossing his face. "A sandstorm?"
Lü Yongchang noticed the worry on Senator Li's face and quickly took over with a smile.
"Head Councillor, there's no need to worry."
"Unlike sandstorms on Earth, Mars Dust storms are extremely common on Mars."
"Every Martian year, hundreds of regional dust storms occur, and under the right circumstances, they can merge into a global dust storm."
"According to observational data, a global dust storm occurred on Mars in 1971. It was the largest Mars Dust storm humans had ever observed."
"Conservative estimates put surface wind speeds at 270 kilometers per hour, and the entire storm lasted several months."
Senator Li stared blankly at Lü Yongchang, clearly alarmed by that string of numbers. "Then..."
"Zero, what's the wind speed outside right now?" Lü Yongchang asked with a smile.
"Professor, the current wind speed isn't high. Surface winds are at 124 kilometers per hour."
At Zero's words, the old man's eyes glazed over.
"Y-Yongchang?"
"You call that wind speed 'not high'?"
The old man racked his memory. "If I remember correctly, that already qualifies as a force 12 typhoon!"
Lü Yongchang smiled and gently patted the old man's bony shoulder. "Head Councillor, rest assured."
"This is Mars, not Earth."
"The Martian atmosphere is thin, with only one percent of the density of Earth's atmosphere. The wind speed may sound frightening, but its actual force isn't that great."
Mars Dust storms
Lü Yongchang's explanation dispelled the old man's worries.
"According to model calculations, Mars City can withstand Mars Dust storms with winds exceeding 1,000 kilometers per hour," Zero added at just the right moment. "A storm like that is virtually impossible on Mars."
Time ticked steadily by.
With its speed reduced, the Space Elevator's descent