"'Hummingbird 2' through 'Hummingbird 7' successfully deployed!"
"Satellite solar panels unfolding normally!"
"Establishing signal connections..."
Qian Zhenhua stared fixedly at the screen in front of him, his hands flying across the keyboard in a blur.
"'Hummingbird 3' signal acquired!" a researcher shouted excitedly.
"Number 3 signal connected!"
"Number 4 signal connected!"
"All seven satellites successfully connected! Orbital parameters normal! System self-check normal!"
Qian Zhenhua sprang to his feet and turned to Zhao Gang, his face alight with irrepressible joy.
"Commander Zhao! We can begin!"
Zhao Gang nodded firmly.
"Continue launching the remaining rockets!"
"Yes, sir!"
The euphoric atmosphere slowly faded as all the researchers and officers immediately returned to their posts, their exuberant celebration giving way to efficient commands and operations.
"Activate launch tower cooling system!"
"Transporter, move into position and prepare to receive rocket number two!"
"Check telemetry signals!"
Commands rang out one after another as they immediately threw themselves into the next mission.
This was Great Xia's speed.
At the launch site behind Forward Base, the scorching blast left by the first rocket had yet to fully dissipate. The enormous launch tower was slowly opening, venting white steam.
Ground crews swiftly moved in to cool and clean the scorched platform.
Nearby, a mountain-sized, multiwheeled transporter slowly approached the launch platform, carrying the second Long March 11 Modified rocket.
The entire process was precise and steady, every stage fitting together seamlessly.
A massive mechanical arm hoisted the rocket steadily into the air, set it upright on the launch pad, and secured it.
Then thick fueling lines coiled around the rocket again like giant pythons, pumping ultracold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into it.
The entire preparation process required nearly two hours.
Two hours later.
Rumble-!!!
A second column of orange-red light rose into the sky from the same