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Chapter 944: Chasing from Moscow (Second update, please subscribe)

Pushing aside the documents in front of him, Khrushchev stood up from the desk and paced around the office.

He stood in front of the window, staring at the sky outside, then silently lit a cigarette. Unlike his father who liked to smoke a pipe, he smoked cigarettes.

Turning around, Khrushchev looked at Gorshkov, the Soviet Deputy Defense Minister and Commander of the Red Navy. He took a few puffs of his cigarette, finished the remaining half of the cigarette in one puff, then walked to the table, put out the cigarette butt in the ashtray, and asked:
"Well, Sergey, you mean we need geosynchronous satellites?"

"Yes,"

Marshal Gorshkov said.

“I am obliged to point out that the Soviet Union’s submarine technology has made great progress and can now sail on the ocean, so high-power long-wave radio stations are needed to maintain communications.

There are only two options right now:

First, build it on the mainland, but due to the long distance, it can only cover the North Pacific;
Second, build them in friendly countries, that is, build one each on Hainan Island and India, to ensure the Soviet Union’s communications in the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean; but this involves many issues.

But with communications satellites, we don’t have to worry about long-wave radio.”

The military had already developed a plan in this regard a few months ago, but it had not yet been submitted to Khrushchev. But now, with the communication satellite, everything is no longer a problem.

"Communication satellites will solve the problem of Moscow's connection with its overseas fleets. With them, even if we send ballistic missile submarines to cruise near the western coast of the United States in the future, we can still maintain contact with them. Compared with long-wave radio, I believe that artificial satellites are the best choice. This is also inevitable for us to develop our maritime power."

Marshal Gorshkov, commander of the Red Navy, immediately realized the importance of the geosynchronous orbit communications satellite to the navy after learning about the launch of the satellite into the South China Sea. Especially for ocean-going submarines, communications satellites are an indispensable communication tool.

Faced with the advantages of communication satellites, he, who was originally planning to build a long-wave radio station, immediately turned his attention to the latest scientific and technological achievement of communication satellites.

After all, this can fundamentally solve the problem of the Red Navy's ocean communications.

"We are different from the United States. We don't have bases all over the world. In this case, if we want to keep in touch with the ballistic missile submarines scattered in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, we must use it. Otherwise, those submarines are deaf. They know very well that they can't receive the orders we send. In this case, how can we command them?"

Because the Soviet Union's ballistic missile submarine had conducted a launch test last year, although it was conventionally powered, Khrushchev knew that there would definitely be nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines in the future, and they would definitely be deployed at the doorstep of the United States to deter the United States, so he said.

"It seems that we really need it!"

"Yes, we need it, and we need it as soon as possible!"

"Thank you for your explanation. You explained to me its importance in a very simple way! I will bring it up at the meeting."

Then Khrushchev pulled the report in front of him, glanced over it again, and said:

"Comrade Korolev will be here in a while. You can meet him. I tell you, he is a genius, a real genius. Not only did he send our satellite into space and give the Americans a slap in the face, but now he has new ideas!"

Last year, before the launch of Sputnik, Korolev was just a scientist, but now? Korolev has become a hero, a hero of the entire Soviet Union, although his name is known only to a few people, and Marshal Gorshkov is one of these few people, he said.

"I have been eager to meet him and hope to congratulate him in person! Comrade Khrushchev."

"Your wish will come true soon, Marshal."

Khrushchev said with a smile.

Soon Korolev entered the office. As soon as he entered, Khrushchev introduced him to the Red Navy commander, and Marshal Gorshkov congratulated him warmly. After a brief compliment, they finally got to the point.

"Korolev,"

Khrushchev said seriously.

"There is one thing you need to know. The Nanyang people have launched a communications satellite that can stay stationary in the geosynchronous orbit and send their voices to the whole world."

"Yes, I had heard about it before they launched it, it was a very creative launch."

Although he was reluctant to admit it, Korolev knew very well that both Southeast Asia and the United States had surpassed the Soviet Union in satellite technology - this was because of their leading position in the field of electronics.

Although he knew this, Korolev, who had been re-educated in a labor camp in Siberia, knew very well what could and could not be said.

"But we will catch up with them soon, we..." Before he could finish, Marshal Gorshkov asked anxiously.

"You mean, we now have similar satellites, right?"

Korolev, who was holding the document in his hand, was stunned when he heard this. He didn't even know how to answer this question.

He came here not to report this matter, but for another matter, which had nothing to do with any communication satellite.

At this time, Khrushchev spoke in a serious tone.

"Now that Nanyang has launched this satellite, the Americans will also launch theirs. Before launching their communications satellite, the Americans will control Nanyang's communications satellite to achieve their satellite communications. This is extremely disadvantageous for the Soviet Union. We must break the monopoly of Western countries as soon as possible."

Is this a requirement?
No, this is an order!

Korolev, whose character had been tempered by the cold winds and snowstorms of Siberia, knew how to answer this question now.

He said immediately.

"Yes, this is very important and the most important thing. I am here today because of this matter!"

Ok!

This matter is the top priority now!

As for anything else, we can only put it aside.

"Oh, is it so?"

Khrushchev said happily.

"It seems that our Korolev is ahead of us!"

It’s not that I’ve gone ahead of you, but your demands are the most important.

Korolev thought so in his mind, and when he opened the briefcase in his hand, he selectively took out a dozen pages of documents and said.

"Comrade Khrushchev, look, this is our redesigned R7 rocket. It has a stronger thrust. I believe it can send our communications satellite into geostationary orbit..."

While explaining the rocket to Khrushchev and Marshal Gorshkov, Korolev sometimes glanced at the briefcase, which contained more documents that outlined his dream.

Even the rocket being introduced to them now is to support another of his dreams.

But now?
In order to gain the support of the Kremlin, there is very little he can do. He has to meet their needs first, and then talk about ideals and things like that for all mankind. Without the support from the Kremlin, everything is empty talk.

Although sending a communications satellite into geosynchronous orbit was not originally in Korolev's current plan, he had done some research on it after obtaining intelligence in this regard two months ago, so he was able to carefully explain to them the concept of artificial satellites and other aspects. Of course, both Khrushchev and Marshal Gorshkov knew nothing about these technical details, and most of the time they just nodded.

Finally, after Korolev introduced his idea of ​​​​communications satellite, Khrushchev's smile became even wider, and he even turned to Marshal Gorshkov and said.

"Well, Comrade Marshal, is it just like I said, our Comrade Korolev always brings us too many surprises!"

"Yes, just as you said!"

Marshal Gorshkov's face was full of smiles. Now the communication problem that restricted the navy's ocean-going fleet had finally been solved.

But Korolev remained silent in the face of their praise. He was just polite and occasionally looked into the briefcase.

"Comrade Korolev!"

Noticing his strangeness, Khrushchev asked.

"Have you encountered any problems? Is there anything I can help you with?"

(End of this chapter)