Super Island Tycoon-Chapter 830 - 829: Probe

A spherical probe was released by the Pioneer and began its journey towards Neptune.

Soon, the probe skimmed through Neptune's atmosphere, approaching the planet's surface.

This probe, specially designed by Jiang Cheng, can withstand extremely harsh conditions.

First, its spherical exterior can endure smaller impacts in Neptune's violent storms, preventing damage to the probe.

It's important to know that Neptune has the most violent storms in the Solar System, and not using a spherical design simply wouldn't work.

Besides the spherical exterior, the probe is also highly insulated against cold.

The insulation layer on the probe's surface, developed by Jiang Cheng, can withstand extremely low temperatures.

Neptune experiences temperatures of over minus two hundred degrees Celsius, and if the insulation isn't excellent, the internal components might freeze and malfunction.

The harsh environment on Neptune explains why Jiang Cheng opted for a probe landing instead of a manned mission.

In such extreme conditions, a manned landing is far too challenging.

If Jiang Cheng intends to bring astronauts to Neptune, it would require a long-term preparation.

Designing a sturdier landing module alone is a complicated issue.

This landing module must ensure the astronauts' safety in Neptune's extreme environment, which is quite difficult to achieve.

Not to mention if they want to venture outside after landing, the spacesuits would need to be redesigned.

The most violent storms in the Solar System on Neptune are crucial factors to be considered.

Jiang Cheng cannot have the astronauts blown away by those storms the moment they land.

Therefore, essential protective measures are indispensable during the landing.

Manufacturing this protective equipment is extremely troublesome, and Jiang Cheng has been busy building the Pioneer recently.

Even this special probe was crafted in Jiang Cheng's spare time, so there's no time to prepare for a manned landing on Neptune.

Hence, this exploration of Neptune will primarily rely on the probe.

Human exploration of this mysterious planet, Neptune, might have to wait for the future.

However, Jiang Cheng believes that day won't be too far off, given the rapid spacecraft like the Pioneer.

Once the landing equipment is ready, I'm ready for a manned landing on Neptune any time.

While Jiang Cheng contemplated the manned landing on Neptune, the spherical probe had already passed through Neptune's atmosphere and commenced its landing phase.

Jiang Cheng's main concern now is whether the probe can withstand the cold.

Neptune's climate is terrifyingly harsh, and he wonders if the probe will get damaged.

This probe was hastily put together for this test mission by Jiang Cheng.

Therefore, the design isn't at its best and is not an outstanding product.

Jiang Cheng wouldn't be too surprised if the probe malfunctions on Neptune later.

One cannot expect top-notch stability from something made in a rush, a fact Jiang Cheng is aware of.

Jin's recent schedule has been too tight, forcing him to use something like this to make do.

Yet, even if the probe gets damaged on Neptune, Jiang Cheng isn't too heartbroken.

Unlike before, trips to Mars took months, but now, reaching Neptune just takes a few hours aboard the Pioneer.

If this exploration fails, he can always return, prepare, and bring a better probe next time.

Even though Pioneer missions consume significant funds, the cost is of little concern to Jiang Cheng.

Right now, Jiang Cheng can go anywhere in the Solar System at will; even a return to Neptune isn't much of an effort.

The probe remains fully operational, with the insulation layer withstanding the exterior's cold, keeping the probe's interior within an acceptable temperature range.

The crew onboard is reporting the probe's status, and this news eases Jiang Cheng's concerns.

Since the probe is functioning well, it's unlikely any issues will occur later.

It seems that even Jiang Cheng's hastily assembled product performs decently, as the probe hasn't encountered issues on Neptune.

The probe has landed successfully!

After a period of flying, the spherical probe finally reached Neptune's surface.

Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Pioneer, a holographic projection screen appeared.

Displayed on the screen are images transmitted from the probe, showcasing Neptune's surface.

The surface in the images is covered with thick ice, making it impossible to see beneath.

However, this was anticipated by Jiang Cheng, as many scientists predicted ice on Neptune long ago; this mission only confirms their hypothesis.

This exploration focuses on data scanning, where the probe scans all of Neptune, just as Jiang Cheng previously did with Mars.

The whole planet scan is what Jiang Cheng values most, desiring detailed data on Neptune above all else.

The distribution of minerals particularly concerns Jiang Cheng, as Neptune might harbor rare minerals, making the distant planet worthwhile to develop.

Such extraordinarily rare minerals in the universe don't exist on Earth.

The Alpha Crystal, a necessary material for manufacturing true Mechas, hasn't been discovered by Jiang Cheng yet.

Jiang Cheng scanned the entirety of Earth and Mars without finding traces of the Alpha Crystal.

If the Alpha Crystal cannot be found, Jiang Cheng cannot produce genuine Mechas.

The conditions for forming such special crystals, like the Alpha Crystal, are extremely harsh, requiring very low temperatures.

Only under Neptune's harsh environment might there be a chance of their existence.

Yet, even that is uncertain; whether Alpha Crystals exist on Neptune is something even Jiang Cheng can't say for sure.

But as long as there's the slightest hope, Jiang Cheng won't miss the chance to explore.

At the very least, there's a possibility that Neptune harbors Alpha Crystals, unlike Earth or Mars, which simply cannot produce such special materials.

If Alpha Crystals indeed exist on Neptune, Jiang Cheng would go the extra mile to mine them, regardless of the harsh environment.

After all, the Alpha Crystal is crucially important, essential for producing Mechas.