Beneath Deep Space

"Noah is expected to reach the third low-Earth orbit of the Nix star in one minute. The countdown begins: sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight..."

On January 17, 2009 in the New Human Calendar, humans have been flying in the endless space for nearly five years, and the external relativistic time is about 22 years.

It is now 9:28 in the morning, and the Noah spacecraft has officially arrived in the outer space orbit of the planet Nix!

It’s 21.4 light years away from the solar system!

This is a space expedition that humans have never imagined!

Many people happily rushed to the astronomical observatory, full of enthusiasm, to observe the gray planet that was about to land at close range.

According to the endless news reports in the past month, ordinary people basically understand the general idea: Nix is ​​an Earth-like planet with a dense atmosphere, and there is even a large amount of oxygen in the atmosphere!

Through this, people are almost certain...that there is life on the planet!

Where there is life, there is life. Anyway, human beings have already made such psychological expectations.

A lot of preliminary work is to combat alien microorganisms, including various anti-virus potions, high-temperature sterilization boxes, strict isolation measures, and... broad-spectrum immunity drugs!

Another point, the existence of life does not mean the existence of "intelligent life"!

The "universal law of life" may apply in this universe, and the emergence of primitive life may be relatively easy, but "intelligent life" or "civilization" may not necessarily!

Such a harsh planetary environment cannot give birth to large-scale intelligent life, right? !

This is a common thought not just among ordinary people, but among scientists.

Difficult, too difficult!

The average temperature on the planet's surface is minus 120 degrees, which is not an environment in which large-scale life can reproduce normally.

The most critical thing is that there is no stellar illumination on the surface of Nix, and there is no stable energy source. Could it be that the heat of large-scale life only relies on volcanoes to maintain it?

What if a volcano erupts? It can kill all living things within the area covered by the magma!

Under such circumstances, it is difficult for large organisms to have growth conditions, and it is even more difficult for intelligent life.

But microorganisms don't matter. They have strong vitality. Even if the volcano erupts, it is impossible to kill all the microorganisms... After the eruption is over, they can reproduce quickly.

Scientists speculate that this planet may have a type of cyanobacteria that thrive on geothermal energy.

They absorb geothermal energy, synthesize carbon dioxide into organic matter, and metabolize oxygen. It took a long time for this planet to produce so much oxygen...

"30 global satellites have been successfully launched, and the global positioning system is officially launched!"

"The unmanned detection system has officially started!"

Because this planet is likely to be people's destination within a few years or decades, various astronomical and geographical groups have spent a lot of effort. They tried their best to find a suitable landing area rich in material resources.

The automated detection took more than two weeks in total. The entire observation operation has made good progress, giving people a preliminary understanding of the geological features of the Nix star.

The only thing that makes people speechless is: there are so many volcanic eruptions!

The geological activity on this planet is so intense that volcanoes of various sizes are erupting almost every day!

Thick volcanic ash floats in the atmosphere almost all the time, causing certain problems for satellite detection systems.

"The current geological exploration situation has roughly come out: 80% of the ocean is covered with thick ice, and we don't know how deep it is. About 20% of the land is still unusable due to a large amount of volcanic fog. Satellite detection is clear.”

"However, unmanned detectors and drones have inspected some areas on the surface and found no traces of large-scale biological activity. They only found the presence of some microorganisms... consistent with our expectations!"

"...We have discovered an extinct volcano area. According to analysis and calculations, this volcano has been completely silent and has not erupted for nearly tens of millions of years. It is safe enough! Moreover, this area has sufficient mineral resources due to volcanic eruptions. It’s a good base location!”

"The mission of your group is: to explore the specific geological composition of the area, capture different microbial samples, and... establish the first small base!"

Yu Yifeng looked at the row of people standing in front of him, including Zhao Yao, Shen Jie and other soldiers. They were wearing X-003 power armor, followed by more than sixty soldiers.

Next and behind were more than thirty engineers, more than thirty biologists, and a few reporters. And...a big black dog wearing power armor!

People have been preparing for this work for so long, and it is impossible to abandon the landing because of some microorganisms or active volcanoes. These are nothing compared to the massive resources that are about to be obtained!

Yu Yifeng looked at them carefully and said seriously: "We will send three A-type spacecraft this time. Among them will be a manned spacecraft, a cargo plane and a base-type spacecraft."

"This landing is very important. If the location is really suitable, it means that a large number of excavation machinery will continue to follow!"

"Zhao Yao, you have the right to press the nuclear button! If you encounter any uncontrollable danger, you can abandon a large amount of equipment and escape, but... people must be brought back to me!"

"clear!"

"Shen Jie, you will be responsible for the specific biochemical control! Whether indoors or outdoors, everyone must wear power armor! Everyone has their own compartment, and they must eat and drink in their own compartment. And... the feeding of Dahei is also up to you!" The big black dog seemed to understand, and barked twice. As a super individual other than Yu Yifeng, it now takes on the important task of resisting microorganisms. "Understood!" "Dr. Nakatamura, the microbial control work is up to you... You can also use broad-spectrum immune reagents when necessary!" Yu Yifeng gave orders one by one, and he felt like a long-talking woman. However, he couldn't help but pay attention to this kind of work! He wanted to go there himself, but it was obvious that it was impossible to sit in this position! Finally, after finishing all the work tasks, he nodded and said: "Then you go and get ready, and set off in half an hour!" At the same time, he added: "If you really encounter any danger, I allow you to return to Noah! Even if you lose some things..." Just like that, until more than ten minutes later, a group of people walked onto the electromagnetic train and entered the circular track. A soldier patted his chest and said with a sigh: "Mr. Yu is usually very serious, but now..."

"Very nagging, right?"

Captain Zhao Yao held the handrail on the train and checked the power armor: "If possible... he would like to get on it himself! But if he is nagging now, maybe he can save your life! Do you understand your mission?"

"Understood!"

While everyone was talking, the train stopped and nearly 130 people boarded an A001 spacecraft.

Everyone stopped talking and sat in their respective seats, fastened their seat belts, and waited for the spacecraft to take off.

It is impossible to say that you are not nervous at this time!

Zhao Yao's black face was slightly red, obviously in extreme excitement, and even with some fear. But for people like him, opening up a planet means supreme glory and means historical remembrance. This instinctive fear is nothing. No matter what, you have to do it well.

"The door of the spacecraft is about to close. Please make relevant preparations for takeoff. Please fasten your seat belt!" A soft electronic voice prompted.

"Particle engine detection program started... The spacecraft is calculating its adaptive orbit... Ready!"

"Ring orbit docking work started... The orbit is 100% clear. The spacecraft is expected to start in 30 seconds, and the countdown starts at 29, 28..."

At this time, 60,000 people were staring at the Noah.

The astronomical observatory was already crowded with people, and in order to avoid unnecessary riots, there were even soldiers to maintain order.

The first batch of colonists from the solar system are about to land on Nix!