Chapter 599 Something That Should Not Appear
Wu Tegong, the captain of the Cicada-class spacecraft No. 004, looked at the data fed back by the detection system and then integrated it into a holographic model.
"Captain, there are 411 seconds left and we will miss the target..." radar operator Lin Mingyu reminded.
Wu Tegong thought for a few seconds, then ordered: "Continue monitoring, use the most accurate detection system."
"Got it." Lin Mingyu turned on a high-precision detection system for scientific research. Immediately, the target outline and internal conditions on the holographic projection became clearer.
But as the two sides got closer, Wu Tegong became more cautious.
Another analyst, Diat, also saw very strange data: "Captain, the metal content of this asteroid is very high, especially on the surface, which is rich in high-density lead. This is a bit like..."
200 seconds later.
The distance between the two sides is 130,000 kilometers.
At this time, the data sent back by the detector is more accurate.
Wu Tegong, Diat, Lin Mingyu and others all noticed the problem.
Because of the data fed back from the magnetic field detector, it can be analyzed that the inside of this asteroid is very "regular", even a little abnormal.
Wu Tegong quickly picked up the panel and entered the command for data synchronization with the headquarters.
Suddenly, on the Earth inside the solar system.
Inside the command center of the Interstellar Exploration Office, all data from the Cicada-class 004 spacecraft were synchronized to the command center.
As the person in charge of the command center, Hill immediately contacted Wu Tegong, and the two sides communicated in less than twenty seconds.
At this time, Hill immediately ordered everyone to cooperate with the work of the Cicada-class 004 spacecraft. She was also watching the situation of the asteroid, and the more she looked, the more she felt something was wrong.
The situation became more obvious especially as the distance between the two sides approached 30,000 kilometers.
Hill made a prompt decision: "Captain Wu Tegong, slow down immediately and fly with this asteroid."
"receive."
The Cicada-class 004 spacecraft quickly detonated a relatively large hydrogen bomb in front of the spacecraft. The huge reaction force instantly reduced the spacecraft's speed to 353 kilometers per second.
Then another slowed hydrogen bomb was detonated.
After five consecutive hydrogen bombs were detonated, the spacecraft's speed dropped to 18 kilometers per second, slightly higher than the asteroid's speed of 15.2 kilometers per second.
When the Cicada-class spacecraft was originally designed, two rear thrust reverser covers were specially designed. The mass of these two covers alone is about 4,200 tons.
If it weren't for these two pot covers to block the radiation and high-energy particles of the hydrogen bomb, the instruments and cockpit in the middle would have been riddled with holes long ago.
If an astronaut were to fly a spacecraft with this kind of super deceleration, they would probably be squeezed into a meat patty in an instant.
Only by using synchronous robots can we withstand this instantaneous deceleration.
Wu Tegong and co-pilot Zheng Lin quickly started the nuclear propulsion and began to adjust the flight direction. After all, the asteroid was not flying towards the inner circle of the solar system, but was flying at an oblique angle towards the outer layer of the Kuiper Belt.
If the asteroid's flight direction does not change , it will pass by the solar system in a few hundred years and enter the vast empty interstellar space again.
The Cicada-class 004, which gave up on continuing its outward flight, was also rapidly approaching the asteroid.
As the distance between the two sides approached 1,000 kilometers.
At this time, the outline and interior of the asteroid became clearer.
Diat looked at the stratigraphic cross-section model of the asteroid with great amazement: "This thing looks a bit like a man-made object!"
But Wu Tegong did not take it lightly. Instead, he turned around and ordered: "Mingyu, carefully detect, especially the heat source reaction."
"I understand." Lin Mingyu nodded.
Half an hour later.
The spacecraft successfully flew alongside the asteroid at a distance of 37 kilometers. After some adjustments, a relative balance was maintained between the spacecraft and the asteroid.
At this time, inside the cockpit of the spacecraft, Wu Tegong and others saw the internal structure of the asteroid very clearly.
"This thing is completely a man-made thing!" Diat pointed at the dense pipe-like holes and a large number of clearly defined metal structures.
The asteroid in front of us, with a radius of 23 to 86 kilometers, is clearly a spaceship.
Lin Mingyu reported to Wu Tegong: "Captain, there is no high heat source reaction inside the target, and its internal temperature is between minus 86 and 89 degrees Celsius."
"No hot spots? Continue monitoring again."
"yes."
Wu Tegong did not send a probe over immediately, but continued to observe the spacecraft.
The spacecraft is 86 kilometers long, 23 kilometers wide, and 19 kilometers high. Its surface is covered with three layers of lead plates, which are most likely anti-radiation protection layers.
The surface of the spacecraft is bumpy and has several large holes, and there is also a lot of ice on the surface.
It looks like a long time has passed.
"A generation spaceship?" Wu Tegong thought, and suddenly he called up another data and checked the flight direction of the spaceship.
Through supercomputing analysis, the spacecraft's flight route was quickly analyzed. Although the direction may change in the middle, it is unlikely to deviate too much.
Wu Tegong put himself into the perspective of the commander of the spaceship. It was obvious that the other party's destination was the solar system, but the spaceship had obviously deviated a lot.
But Wu Tegong felt a little strange. Logically speaking, the planetary system closest to the solar system along the flight route of this spacecraft was about 18.4 light years away.
If this spacecraft really flew over from the direction of 18.4 light years away, it would obviously be illogical, because there are two other planetary systems around the planetary system 18.4 light years away, and their distance is several times closer than the solar system. There is no reason for the other party to go far away instead of near.
Of course, there is another possibility, that is, there are two civilizations in those three planetary systems, and a war has broken out between the two sides. The defeated side can only flee towards the solar system.
The problem is that this is unlikely.
The reason why it is not large is that the distance between the three planetary systems is about 5.3 light years at the minimum. It is difficult to expand this distance without superluminal transportation technology. If there is superluminal transportation technology, then this generation spacecraft will basically have no chance of escaping.
Wu Tegong discussed his views with his teammates.
Others were also very confused.
After all, at the speed of this spacecraft, if it really wants to cross 18.4 light years and come to the solar system, it would be extremely difficult.
"Captain, it's useless for us to guess here. Why don't we send a probe to land?" Diat suggested.
But Wu Tegong shook his head: "No, don't forget the interstellar management regulations. Without the order from headquarters, it is strictly forbidden to contact unknown alien civilizations, and we don't know if there is any danger up there."
In fact, back on Earth at this time, the Space Business Department had quickly held an internal meeting and notified Chairman Li Qingye.
They are also considering how to deal with the spacecraft.
The exploration will definitely continue.
But how to explore is a very important topic.
After all, Sapiens is not the stupid protagonist in European and American movies, and it will definitely not land on the spacecraft of an unknown civilization without any preparation.
This is also the reason why the Cicada-class No. 004 chose to fly as a companion instead of landing directly at the beginning.
Because there are unpredictable risks in directly contacting a spacecraft from an unknown civilization without any preparation, this is an act strictly prohibited by the Sapiens Company.
After launching the exploration plan for outer space in the solar system, Sapiens ordered the Space Division to develop a strict management plan to prevent such incidents.
