It is a good choice to cross the river by touching the old America. Although from a higher perspective, it seems to be a waste of resources to build something that others have already built. For example, if you already have the Hubble Telescope, you still need to build it.
But that's just an ideal state. The reality is another matter. If you don't have it yourself, you have to look at other people's faces. If someone says they won't use it for you, you can only stare.
If you want to be independent in science and technology, you must first have something that you can decide on.
We are indeed lagging far behind in basic scientific research, and we will eventually have to make up for the lessons that need to be made up.
Once you have mastered Laomei, you can explore on your own. To achieve the goal of catching up and surpassing, you have to eat one bite at a time.
…
The next day, Saturday morning, around 10:20 am.
Fang Hong arrived at Xincheng University. President Li Kang and Ning Xingqing, the president of Xincheng University, still went out to wait and greet him earlier than the agreed meeting time. The "Mirror of the Sky" project is a top priority for Xincheng University. It can be said that there is no one.
Under normal circumstances, such a large-scale project as Xincheng University's front would not be available, so naturally we would not dare to neglect it.
However, when they saw that the person coming from the Natural Science Foundation was Fang Hong, Li Kang and others did not expect that the top chairman would come, but unexpectedly they sent an assistant.
"...Principal Li, Professor Ning, and Chairman Yu are currently working on the planning of other scientific research projects and cannot spare time, so they asked me to come over and handle this matter." Fang Hong smiled calmly and confidently.
"That's it." Li Kang suddenly looked stunned. He was also slightly surprised by the young man Fang Hong. He originally wanted to use the authority of his alma mater and the principal to suppress this young man so that the two parties could take the initiative in the dialogue. Here at Xincheng University.
But Li Kang soon discovered that Fang Hong was very different from other young people. He didn't do this at all and it was of no use.
"Classmate Fang Hong, let's talk while we walk." Li Kang said with an easy-going smile and made a gesture of invitation. Although Fang Hong is young and graduated from New University this year, his current status is to represent Natural Science Foundation of China.
Li Kang did not put on the airs of the principal in front of him, and from the brief chat just now, he realized that this young man was not simple. His calmness alone was not comparable to that of ordinary young people.
Some students from the school not far away accidentally saw this scene and were very surprised. Fang Hong was curious for a while that the principal was treating him so politely.
"Fang Hong, I heard what you just said. In addition to the 'Mirror of the Sky' project, the Natural Science Foundation also plans other projects?" Li Kang asked tentatively while walking and chatting.
"That's right." Fang Hong nodded crisply.
Li Kang asked again: "I wonder if you can reveal what kind of project it is?"
Hearing this, Fang Hong smiled and said: "To sum it up in one sentence, what the United States has but we don't have is within the scope of our development, and what the United States does not have is also within the scope of our development."
Everyone who was accompanying them was secretly surprised. Such words were not something ordinary people could do. It seemed that the "Sky Mirror" project was just one of the scientific research projects to be invested by the Natural Science Foundation.
After confirming that the fund has strong financial resources, Fang Hong's words are convincing.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the reception room of a building on campus and soon got down to business, that is, talking about matters related to the "Sky Mirror" project.
"The result of our theoretical demonstration is that the 'Sky Mirror' plan is feasible." Ning Xingqing also presented the conclusion first, and Fang Hong couldn't help but nodded: "As long as it can be done."
At this time, President Li Kang said: "However, if you want to realize this project, it is a huge project. Our research has concluded that it requires the cooperation of thousands of scientists in dozens of fields to achieve it."
After hearing this, Fang Hong knew what Li Kang really wanted to express. The implication was that this project would cost more money than you thought. You have to be mentally prepared. If you don't have enough funds, you won't be able to get it done.
Fang Hong couldn't help but cross his legs. Li Kang was a little surprised when he saw this action: This young man is really immodest. I, the principal of Xinda University, didn't even cross my legs in front of you, so you should cross your legs first. .
However, since his current status is to represent the Natural Science Foundation, Principal Li doesn't have too many ideas.
"I understand." Fang Hong nodded to himself, then looked around at everyone and added: "How much funding is needed to complete this project? Have you calculated it?"
As soon as these words came out, Li Kang said immediately: "According to the results of the comprehensive demonstration, 5 billion is probably far from enough. It is required that the network can be put into operation in 2015. In order to grab the time window, we have to consume more resources... ...A conservative estimate requires 11.3 billion.”
After saying that, Li Kang, Ning Xingqing and others all looked at Fang Hong's reaction and found that he had no reaction when he heard this number, and they could not interpret any useful information from his face.
Fang Hong was very calm. When he heard the number 11.3 billion, he thought to himself that it must be more than this number. It is probably the most conservative number. Once the project is started, it will definitely exceed the cost, and it will definitely exceed the cost when it is about halfway through the process. We need additional funds, but we are already halfway there, and so much money has been spent on it, so we have to pay the price.
For this kind of thing, Fang Hong would do the same thing if he puts his position in their position. He will trap you first, and when he traps you, he can only step up to cover his position.
This is true for many scientific research projects around the world. Halfway through, the money is not enough and more money has to be added.
For example, the LIGO project installation in the United States has been in development for ten years, and this year it received an additional US$400 million in funding.
Fang Hong estimates that the "Sky Mirror" project will probably cost at least 15 billion yuan to be completed by 2015.
It doesn't matter if you add more money, as long as it doesn't go into your personal pocket.
I’m not worried about the money being misappropriated. The Natural Science Fund is supported by Qunxing Capital. What does Qunxing do? For those who work in finance, their specialty is dealing with money. Scientific research is not their specialty, but controlling the flow of funds and risk control are their specialty.
To put it bluntly, how to put project funds into private pockets in a reasonable and legal manner? Those who play finance are better and more professional, and have more and deeper routines.
Once the project is launched, the Natural Science Foundation must control the flow of every fund, and the flow of every penny must be clearly traced.
At the end, Fang Hong looked at everyone and said: "The over-budget is within the expectations of the Natural Science Foundation. Everyone, on behalf of the Natural Science Foundation, I will give a clear attitude. There is no problem with the budget of 11.3 billion, as long as you guarantee the 'Mirror of the Sky' The project is on schedule and we will not be stingy with the money invested.”
Such a clear statement made Ning Xingqing and others present extremely excited. The budget was more than double what the Natural Science Foundation had previously given. For this reason, they were worried that the other party would be scared away. Unexpectedly, they heard that 11.3 billion He didn't even blink his eyes.
With sufficient financial support, it can be said that half of the success is achieved.
Next, Professor Ning Xingqing explained some technical issues to Fang Hong. He said: "...The LISA project in Europe and the United States is the earliest space gravitational wave detection project to be developed. Although there is no shadow yet, it is relatively It is said to be the most mature space gravitational wave detection program in the world. We are starting from scratch, but we are pressed for time, and the LISA program will definitely not be realized in 2015."
Ning Xingqing added: "Therefore, in order to gain time, it is best to introduce foreign technologies, especially laser interference technology, inertial sensing technology, drag-free control technology, etc. The introduction of foreign technologies can speed up the progress of the entire project."
Hearing this, Fang Hongyun said calmly: "Professor Ning, have you ever thought about whether they are willing to sell if you want to buy?"
Ning Xingqing was about to speak but stopped: "This..."
Fang Hong added: "We don't object if we can buy it with money, but this is just a stop-gap measure. In the final analysis, we still have to be able to come up with it, so even if there are plans to buy foreign technology, the road of self-research must be promoted at the same time. It’s safest to walk on two legs.”
Fang Hong, who looked around the crowd, added: "Have you ever thought about a question? Science has no borders, but scientists have borders, and scientific equipment even has borders. Even if you buy it, you have to guard against foreigners trying to trick you, such as The conversation was going well at the beginning, but your project started to advance at a furious pace. Halfway through, he stopped selling it or raised the price for you. Are you dumbfounded? Therefore, you must have self-research, and you must be able to use it yourself. Even if it’s a little more expensive, try not to use things from foreigners.”
…
(End of chapter)
