Chapter 67: Experiencing the Manned Pod

After the three had finished, Xiao Liu prepared to lead them to the rocket.

Standing beneath the rocket, Xiao Liu explained, "The Dongfeng-5 heavy carrier rocket is composed of three layers. The lowest layer is the engine compartment, the middle is the cargo bay, and at the very top is the crew module, which can carry up to twenty people."

Zhang Mingyang gazed at the rocket with a question, "Mr. Liu, I don't see any entrance. How do people get inside? How do they load and unload cargo?"

Xiao Liu pointed to a nearby elevator and replied, "We access the engine compartment directly using a long pole ladder."

"For the middle cargo bay, we realized the rocket was too tall, and there wasn’t any machinery high enough to load cargo. Designing specialized loading equipment would have been too costly."

"In the end, our engineers devised a solution: the cargo bay is divided into five compartments from top to bottom. The lowest compartment is equipped with an elevator, much like the parking lifts in city high-rises. Vehicles drive onto the elevator, which then lifts them up."

"Our method is similar to the principle of parking garages, except we first load the ore into a frame sized to fit a compartment. A large forklift places the frame onto the elevator at the bottom, which then lifts it to the uppermost compartment. Each compartment has a fixed device to secure the frame, and the operation repeats until all five compartments are filled."

"For unloading, our heavy forklifts can easily remove each ore-filled frame from the cargo exit on the lowest level."

Listening to Xiao Liu’s explanation, Zhang Mingyang pictured it in his mind—it was truly a marvelous design.

"Mr. Liu, how do we enter the crew module at the very top?"

Xiao Liu led them beneath the launch tower securing the rocket. "Currently, personnel can only enter the crew module at the top via the stairs on the launch tower. When the rocket launches, the tower will automatically detach."

Staring at the dense steps of the launch tower, Zhang Mingyang suggested, "Could we go up and take a look?"

"Of course, no problem. In fact, you’ll need to enter the crew module soon for an early experience," Xiao Liu said.

"Very well, we’ll trouble you to lead the way."

"Alright."

After speaking, Xiao Liu led the three up the stairs.

As they climbed, Zhang Mingyang gazed out at the scenery. The view from above was entirely different from below; looking up revealed the rocket’s grandeur and majesty, but looking down brought a sense of both power and insignificance.

When they reached the top, Peng Dongli and Xiao Liu were drenched in sweat, sitting on the steps and panting for breath, while Zhang Mingyang seemed perfectly fine—apart from a bit of sweat, he didn’t even appear winded.

Xiao Liu looked at Zhang Mingyang, still standing tall, and couldn’t help but ask, "Mr. Zhang, you’re in remarkable shape! After climbing so many flights, you’re not tired at all?"

Peng Dongli found it odd as well. Wasn’t the microbe issue supposed to have affected him? How was he perfectly fine now?

Zhang Mingyang glanced at the two collapsed on the ground, feeling puzzled himself. Could the microbe have repaired itself?

Peng Dongli didn’t dwell on it. He steadied himself against the railing and looked at the open door nearby, asking Xiao Liu, "Xiao Liu, is this the entrance to the crew module?"

Xiao Liu nodded, stood up, supported himself with the railing, and walked inside. Zhang Mingyang and Peng Dongli followed.

Entering the crew module, Xiao Liu pressed a switch on the wall, illuminating the space.

With the bright lights, the entire layout of the module unfolded before them. The landing cabin wasn’t large—roughly a hundred square meters, according to Xiao Liu. One side was filled with various display screens and equipment, while the other held twenty seats. Behind the seats was a complete set of spacesuits, making the area feel a bit cramped.

"Come, try sitting," said Xiao Liu, taking a seat first. Zhang Mingyang and Peng Dongli followed suit.

Feeling the seat, Zhang Mingyang thought it was much like a hydraulic truck seat, springy and comfortable.

Once they’d finished, Xiao Liu stood, retrieved a spacesuit from behind the seats, and introduced it, "Mr. Peng, Mr. Zhang, these are the spacesuits you’ll wear in space. They’re extremely important, so please listen carefully."

The two nodded as Xiao Liu continued, "Tomorrow, during the rocket launch, you won’t need to wear them yet. The cabin is equipped with a pressure system and oxygen supply, which will activate automatically before ignition; you just need to fasten the seat safety equipment."

"When the rocket breaks through the atmosphere into space, you still won’t need to wear the suit—the cabin systems will automatically adjust conditions to match those on land. The critical moment is when you prepare to land at 'Moon Palace Base.' That’s when the spacesuit becomes essential. Before landing, staff will remind you to suit up, and after landing, you’ll exit the crew module wearing the suit, entering the weightless environment."

As Xiao Liu spoke, he demonstrated, "Watch closely—the spacesuit has two layers. The inner layer is like a liner, the outer layer like a shell, much like an old thermos: the inner keeps warmth and is inflated, the outer protects against falls and insulates."

"When you put it on, first step your feet into the inner layer, then your body, and seal it up with a zipper just like with regular clothes. The outer layer will be handled by someone assisting you."

Watching Xiao Liu’s demonstration, Zhang Mingyang and Peng Dongli each took a spacesuit and began practicing.

Xiao Liu watched their progress and offered tips. Once they’d donned the suits, he had them repeat the process several times for familiarity.

Zhang Mingyang practiced repeatedly, and after only a few tries, he was already proficient.

Seeing they had mastered the basics, Xiao Liu explained further, "There are several devices on the spacesuit I need to mention."

"On the underside of the left forearm of every suit, there’s a screen that will automatically turn on once you’re dressed. It displays the oxygen supply and remaining time, as well as your physical condition."

"When the suit is functioning normally, the screen glows green. If it turns red, you must be alert—it means the suit has been damaged, and you need to return to the base immediately for replacement."

"But don’t worry too much. If the outer layer is damaged, the inner layer will automatically supply oxygen and increase pressure. You just have to return to the base and change suits within thirty minutes."

Listening to Xiao Liu’s explanation, Zhang Mingyang paid close attention, understanding that this knowledge was vital for survival—not on Earth, but in the perilous expanse of space.

The two spent the afternoon in the crew module, practicing the fundamental survival skills until they were confident and proficient.