Chapter 143: Satellite Positioning System

The Tide Rider of Time Travel — No Ads

“I don’t need you to cut back on funds. On the contrary, I will provide ample funding, but I have a few conditions. First, you must ensure the quality of the highway. Second, while building the road, I want you to address the village’s electricity and communications issues. The communication here is terrible—there isn’t even a telephone, which is very inconvenient. I will cover the costs required to solve the electricity and communications problems; you only need to focus on construction and building. Is that clear?” Wei Hua asked.

“No problem!” Secretary Chen was no fool. Such an opportunity only came once in hundreds of years. Not agreeing would be foolish. Wei Hua was responsible for funding the main highway construction, so the nearby villages on both sides of the road could have their electricity issues resolved with just a little funding from the county. This was a visible achievement! After Secretary Chen and Minister Ma left, Wei Hua turned to Ding Peng and asked,

“Have you already reported this to the higher-ups? What did they say?”

“I already did. They said someone will come to see you in a couple of days. Commander Jiang is assigned to protect you. They hope you can stay at his regiment headquarters for the next few days.”

“That’s unnecessary! We’re in such a remote place—what danger could there be? Let’s just wait for the people from above to come find us. Commander Jiang, sorry to have wasted your trip.” Wei Hua turned to Commander Jiang.

“Mr. Wei, I think you should reconsider. I’ve been ordered to ask you to stay with our regiment. If you refuse, I won’t be able to report properly to my superiors,” Commander Jiang said.

“I still won’t go. I expect those from above will arrive soon anyway. Besides, staying with you wouldn’t be convenient. So that’s settled. If they ask, just say it was my idea.” Commander Jiang said nothing in response but looked toward Ding Peng. Knowing Wei Hua well, Ding Peng said to Jiang,

“Commander Jiang, let’s leave it at that. Mr. Wei will stay here, and I’ll protect him. There won’t be any problems. If anyone asks, just say it was my decision.” Seeing Ding Peng’s stance, Commander Jiang stopped insisting.

The three then began chatting casually. Only then did Wei Hua realize that the military vehicles Ding Peng had been borrowing recently all belonged to Commander Jiang’s regiment. As the host, Wei Hua kept expressing his gratitude to Commander Jiang. They talked until nightfall, and after having dinner at Wei Hua’s home, Commander Jiang left.

After sending Commander Jiang off, Wei Hua locked himself in his room, took out paper and pen, and began transcribing information on satellite positioning technology from his communicator. The GPS Global Positioning System (Global Positioning System—GPS) was developed by the United States starting in the 1970s. After 20 years and a cost of $20 billion, it was fully completed in 1994. This new generation satellite navigation and positioning system possesses comprehensive real-time three-dimensional navigation and positioning capabilities on sea, land, and air.

The GPS development process was divided into three phases: The first phase was feasibility demonstration and preliminary design, from 1973 to 1979, during which four experimental satellites were launched. Ground receivers and a tracking network were developed. The second phase was full development and testing, from 1979 to 1984, when seven more experimental satellites were launched and various types of receivers were developed for different purposes. Tests showed GPS positioning accuracy far exceeded design standards. The third phase was practical network deployment. On February 4, 1989, the first operational GPS satellite was launched, marking the start of system construction. By the end of 1993, the operational GPS constellation was completed.

The current year is 1984. GPS technology in the U.S. has matured, so the domestic side must be eager to acquire this technology.

Wei Hua spent two days and two nights transcribing hundreds of thousands of words of material. On the third morning, three military jeeps drove into the small mountain village.

As the vehicles entered the village, Ding Peng and Wei Hua heard the engine noise and guessed the people from above had arrived, so they stepped outside. Sure enough, the jeeps stopped in front of Wei Hua’s ancestral home. Several soldiers in green uniforms got out. Because these were older-style uniforms, Wei Hua could not tell their ranks. The leader was an elderly man over sixty. Seeing Wei Hua and Ding Peng, he smiled and said,

“You must be Mr. Wei Hua and Comrade Ding Peng! I am Xie, Deputy Director of the National Defense Science and Industry Commission. I’m here to discuss work with Mr. Wei Hua.”

Wei Hua stepped forward and extended his hand.

“Hello, Director Xie! I am Wei Hua. Sorry for causing you trouble. Let’s go inside to talk.”

Xie shook Wei Hua’s hand and said,

“Let’s go inside then.”

Following Wei Hua into the ancestral home were Xie and a few middle-aged comrades. Ding Peng and a couple of soldiers remained outside. After sitting down, Xie said,

“Mr. Wei, I won’t beat around the bush. Where is the material? Could these comrades take a look before we discuss other matters?”

“No problem!” Wei Hua turned and fetched the materials he had written overnight and handed them to the middle-aged men who came with Xie. The men silently began to study the documents carefully.

Wei Hua signaled Xie and then stepped outside. Xie followed him, and Wei Hua said,

“I guess they’ll need a long time to finish reading. Let’s wait outside so we don’t disturb them.”

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