Chemistry

A zero-gravity training plane named the 'Vomit Comet’ came to life on the clouds.

- Thirty seconds.

I swallowed a saliva without even realizing it was coming from the intercom.

When I saw similar sights on TV a long time ago, I definitely saw the faces of excited actors who were riding around in rides.

But there was no one smiling here.

About a dozen competitors lying flat on the floor of the plane were waiting for the free fall to come with a determined glance to complete a given task brilliantly.

‘They'll be academics like me. Why is everyone in a tight spot? ’

A week ago, Jungwoo arrived at the Ares Program Camp and was assigned to a group of Payload Specialists.

Of the 4,000 volunteers in this PS group, there were approximately 700. There was only one finalist.

-10 seconds, 9 seconds….

As the countdown began, Jung revisited his training before coming up.

You can experience a microgravitational state of about 23 seconds when dropped at an altitude of 7,500 m. At this point, the instructor in orange jumpsuits performs the same task.

All actions will be recorded on camera and subjected to a harsh evaluation by the supervisors at the camp headquarters.

- …… 1 second. Rise!

Following the pilot's bland voice, the plane rises.

Jungwoo felt a sudden shifting of the load towards the shock resistant rubber on the floor.

Suddenly I feel twice or three times my weight. So, the plane that rose, drawing the parabola at a 30-degree angle, reached its apex.

- Drop!

“Ah……. ”

All objects around you lose weight and begin to drift without the concept of up and down. Jungwoo entered a world where normal laws of physics had been suspended.

The instructor swirls around the floor and sets foot on the ceiling of the plane.

Five volunteers staggered to follow the move, and Jung turned around and welcomed the ceiling with his butt.

‘Ugh, I'm sick of it. ’

Before the drop count ends. The instructor gestures to hold onto the safety line.

Jungwoo rests on the rubber floor again from the ceiling where it was attached.

When the plane stopped descending, my body was floating in the air for half a second, and then I threw myself to the ground.

The plane rose again at 1.8G without hurting the feeling of an entire visceral twist.

- Three, two, one! Drop!

I wish I could fly like Superman.

This plane was a magical machine that fulfilled that dream by 23 seconds per minute.

This time the instructor turns around like a muzzle. Jungwoo followed me around.

I'm dizzy!

After experiencing the zero-g test restlessly through 20 falls, Jung fell into the bathroom behind the plane half-exhausted.

The instructor looks at all sorts of skills and leaves Jungwoo in a bind, followed by a paper towel.

Are you okay, 701?

Jungwoo bows in gratitude and wipes his mouth.

Instructor, will training overcome this?

There's a difference, but I've heard it usually flies around 500 times.

500 Times?

No need to be surprised. Once selected, I will experience it at least 5,000 times.

It was a relaxing sound in my legs.

As soon as we got to the runway, all of the applicants ran to the monitor with the ratings up.

Jungwoo felt gloomy when he saw the results of his assignment scores and this flight score in the past week.

[PS-701 Assignment # 12: 63 points]

[Average 75.1/630th place + 13]

The difference between heaven and earth was 89.7, which is the average of those who are marking Space Experiment Specialist Group # 1.

I thought the top 3% said first pass? ’

Doctors, submarine officers, MIT professors, aviation engineers. Competitors' specs are truly breathtaking. No one was left behind.

It was a problem to enter the 20th place, rather than being drawn in the final place, so I thought about it deeply.

Experimental is probably the area where you can stand out. There are only five or six specialized experiments left.

There was no answer except for 100 points.

-PS-701 ready for entry.

Jungwoo, dressed in an indoor space outfit, stood in front of a door with a flashing red light.

A test that runs a real experiment in the past on the inside, like the ISS Lab module.

Based on the scorecard on the external monitor, 82 points has been the highest to date.

‘The score is generally low. Are the supervisors strict? ’

This was a rare challenge to aim for high scores, so it was a bad sign.

- Move in.

We have a signal.

Cheers!

The door was opened and closed with the sound of the hydraulic pump.

Jungwoo walked in and looked at the assignment that came up on the central monitor.

[Odor Absorption Experiment] [Bio Sample Analysis] [Stem Cell Drug Reaction Test] …….

I had to choose from 10.

‘I think I'm familiar with fragrance molecules. ’

When I put my hand on the first list, an approval mark appeared on the monitor.

This was the task of bringing roses into space in 2003 to study the process of experimentation.

Instead of a rose, Jung walked towards the experimental platform and found the Texan symbol, Bluebonnet, in a potted plant.

As soon as I saw the blue blossoms, all the constituents of the volatile molecules flowed out in my head.

If it was real research, that would be the end of it, but what the superintendent wants is for the experiment to be done properly. Jungwoo calmly set the tools first.

A total of five test tubes were loaded with buds collected with tweezers and the aromatic molecules were collected with adsorbent membranes.

Even with thick gloves on, the experiment flowed to the fourteenth heaven.

That was two minutes ago.

Bang! Behind the back of Jungwoo, who was about to put the recovered scented molecules into the analyzer. ’There was an explosion.

Reflexively, he turns his head, but something doesn't actually explode. It's just the sound coming from the speakers.

- Warning, micrometeor shower has paralyzed base ventilation systems through the breach.

A red light flashed inside and white smoke came from everywhere.

You were given an unexpected situation that was not discussed in advance.

Jungwoo only realized why the average score was so low.

The fact that the ventilation system is paralyzed means there's a disruption in the oxygen supply. Once I put on my helmet properly, I looked closely at the ventilation ventilation through the smoke.

‘Fire? No signs of combustion. ’

Certain molecules floating in smoke were rare metal iridium used in superconductor parts.

‘I think the part gave us the oxidized setting because of the friction heat. Should I get rid of it?’

After sweeping over the rigging platform, my gaze remained on the scented stick of Bluebonet.

If you treat it normally and get 80 points similar to the other top scorers, it does not mean much to your ranking competition.

‘Let's go like me. ’

A virtual molecular universe appeared in front of my eyes to find effective formulas and make a lot of changes.

In the control room.

What's 701 doing without a purification filter in the lab?

When asked by Mission Director Gus, Dr. Steven Phelong focused on the multifaceted images that illuminated the interior of the module room.

It looks like we're continuing the experiment.

"Experiment? You're out of your mind. Soon there will be 100% internal contamination. We're a group of scientists, but we have to do the least. He's got basic training, right?

…… maybe.

Even Steven, who came up here with a strong recommendation for Lim Wu, did not understand that behavior at all.

Gus looked at the last scorecard of the ‘PS-701' floating on the monitor.

Somehow, it was 630th place. Dr. Stevens, no matter what the leader of the next NASA expedition recommends, I can only give you 50 points.

The sound confronted one of the supervisors, Deputy Director of Aviation Research.

I agree with you. In space, safety is as important as experimentation. Forty-five points.

At least the experimental process was smooth. I Score 65.

701 is at risk of receiving a very low score of 50 on average, given the low ratings to the Deputy Director of Space Activities.

Steven sighs.

He has never participated in astronaut training. Please consider that part.

"Doctor, the Ares program didn't plan to recruit and nurture beginners.

Now that the selection program is halfway through, we cannot continue to support scientists in the 630th place. More personal support is just good food for internal affairs.

Steven waited for the assignment to be completed, negotiating a score of up to 70 based on 701 experiments.

It was so soon.

There was a flash and a flash on the screen.

What? Did you give her a fire?

Gus asked, shaking his head that he wasn't a member of Mission Operations.

Beevik.

Subsequently, the level of contamination on the Situation Monitor dropped sharply. Gus turns nervously.

"Tom, why don't you just cut the Yttrium gas?

I did not subtract it.

What are you talking about?

I'm still going in.

Gus looks suspicious.

You can't clean this much with a filter. Check for system errors.

I will enlarge the vent.

A camera closed up the vents inside the module.

The white smoke containing iridium gas evaporates, being eaten alive by any flashing stick that was frightening to enter the lab.

The one who came near the vent with the original use of "fragrance adsorption" at the end was, of course, the only person inside, number 701.

……?

Like a wonderful wizard in a Harry Potter movie, he put a glowing wand in the vent, carrying a space oxygen cylinder instead of a cloak.

When the steep pollution also converged at 0%, the situation monitor came up with the word ’clean’.

...... What happened?

All sensors are normal. Looks like 701 cleared itself.

Who doesn't know that? So how?

Nobody at Gus's Daggers has the right answer.

701, which carefully transports the buds of Bluebonet to continue the original research assignment as if they had done something strange.

Watching him, Steven smiles in relief.

Profit.

Jung, who came out of the module, focused on the monitor where the score would be. However, no leads were scored until the next candidate was on the standby line.

‘You're late.’

I waited anxiously because I might have to pack my things if I didn't get my rank back today, but I felt popular behind my back.

PS-701.

He was an employee of Mission Operations.

I need to see you in the control room for a moment. It's Director of Operations.

Me?

Jung, who tilted his head, followed the staff up the top stairs overlooking the training area.

You open the door and notice four supervisors sitting on the table.

Among them was Dr. Steven who nominated Jungwoo. The Director of Operations opened his mouth to Jungwoo, who was briefly greeting him.

Participant No. 701.

Yes.

A tool that eliminates spilled gas instead of a purification filter. No matter how many ingredients you search, there's nothing in the compound database.

Obviously not in the database. because the powder that adsorbs the gassed iridium is worthless.

Absorbent Powder?

I wrote down the manufacturing formula on the computer next to the lab, but I guess you didn't check it.

Jungwoo briefly explained the process of spraying the hydroxide salt and base reagent on a fragrance adsorption rod in combination.

…… the materials in the confined space were particularly useful for absorbing excess carbon dioxide.

"Huh, I see. I understand that part. So why did you work harder without filters?

First of all, I don't think it's the right expression to be more difficult. It's not a very complicated compound.

A member of Mission Operations, who was looking at the recipe for the recorded compound, paused.

The main reason is because of the experiment. because the scent of blue bonnet will change. Fragrance molecules are dramatically affected by very small environmental changes. You know that luxury perfume brands compete for fragrance on a granular scale? The perfume company that commissioned it to NASA didn't want an aromatic compound with toxic gas in it.

It is…….

Gus ordered associates to simultaneously float their input of Blue Bonnet analysis with the finished refinement.

Jung who saw it flowing said.

It will be 98.97% the same as the original result. because I later found out that he had given some sort of hyper-oxygenation situation to a participant. We didn't have time to normalize it because of the aftermath. Oh, you smell like ozone.

Gus has lost his words. With the exception of the astronaut selection process, 701 was a talent with chemistry and intuition that no one had the courage to assess.

Roserin, deputy director of aviation research, asked.

Can you remove other gases with that absorbent membrane?

Analyze it in real time and customize it.

Gruber, deputy director of Space Activity, looked at his jaw as odd and interesting.

It sounds like it can only be done 701 times.

I don't think so.

I have a PhD in Heaven right now.

Gus looks out of shock for friendship.

Understood. We look forward to the challenges ahead.

I think I'm done here. I walk out, and the inner voice is heard in the ears of Jungwoo.

No, 200 points.

- Gruber, this is a 100 point assignment.

- Then we have to do another preliminary assessment. Don't you think the director is here to pick the best?

Jung went down the stairs and watched the monitor with the score floating.

The scores of the top 82 changed to 51 points abruptly. Similarly, all the scores of participants who had previously taken the test were reduced by more than 30 points.

- What's with the score? Evaluation criteria change?

- Damn it, I'm halfway there!

Jungwoo's score was just updated among the noisy people.

[PS-701 Assignment 13: 100 points]

[Average 77.4/287th △ 343]

Maybe it's because other people's scores are relatively persecuted. Participants in the mid-level area jumped to 287th place.

‘Good, I see a possibility. ’

Since receiving 100 points on the first experiment, Jungwoo's ranking has steadily risen.

In particular, nearly all of the mission performance tasks are scored 90 or more, constantly evaluating how to respond in emergencies. If any chemical-related breakthroughs were inserted, the supervisors had to watch Jungwoo's action as they just looked curious.

He also had a surprisingly high score in the field, which was the subject of the analysis of the solar system through the James Web Space Telescope.

The information transmitted from telescopes that observe the phenomenon of the universe was completely different from the pictures taken on ordinary cameras.

Energy, frequency, vibration.

We were able to analyze the areas of waves that were detectable after taking AF-5, so we were able to gather much more information than the group of astronomers who proposed the assignment.

The single-layer ice structure analysis observed on the surface of Saturn's satellite Dionet provided chemical results confirming deeper interior materials are silicic acid.

Then, because of the rules of astronomy, one of the cliffs was named 'Limit Wu Bing'.

So, the average of the 27 assignments over the course of two weeks was 84.7 points. It was a remarkable rise in ranking, but it was also a score at the marginal boundary of 23.

The last day of Houston Space Center astronaut selection camp.

Jungwoo set the alarm at 6 o'clock, but had to open his eyes an hour before that. It was because everyone else was getting up and preparing for the morning.

The only 50-something volunteer, MIT, had just gone for a jog dressed in gym clothes, and a British handsome physicist with a near-period score in gravity acceleration training was immediately distracted from his abs.

"Ugh. Are scholars supposed to be this fit? ’

I woke up because I couldn't lose, but yawns continue to come out.

Jung, who was about to wake up shaking his heavy head, frowned upon the migraine headache that suddenly came.

These days, headaches like this are getting worse.

Evidence that the problem experienced by Dr. Heaven is now emerging to him too.

‘When will it be irreversible? ’

I have already spent more time than the time when the kingdom of heaven had seizures.

If it was just because the body was younger and healthier, it wouldn't be weird to go into a coma tomorrow.

I turned my eyes to the bag with the 'Anti-AF’ in it.

Mr. Han. Are you sick?

Indian mathematician Irpan, who is ranked 30th, asked me to look at Jungwoo.

I guess I'm tired.

Oops.

Irfan was wearing the bed next to him, so he became close to him.

I felt more familiar because my small, messy skin looked like my friend's applause.

Yesterday was amazing. Cleaning up a ship full of junk. My professors back home were so excited to hear from you that they wanted to see you.

The task of rolling a mop ball with lots of special adhesives instead of vacuum cleaners that suck in the wind.

When I saw the praising words, I remembered the face of the eunuch I saw when I made the amazing fireworks.

‘You're still doing great, me. Let's just do what we've been doing. ’

Suddenly, my anxiety disappeared and I was eager to do a good job today.

Thank you every time, Professor Irfan.

"Yes? What?

I feel comfortable talking to the professor.

Jungwoo did not put the word ’because it looks like that’ in the previous words.

Then, it seems that those who resemble Suhyun are evenly distributed among the races of the world. Is this a question of genes intertwining with the secrets of human birth?

I'll ask Professor C of Anthropology. ’

A physicist from Oxford University, who was obsessed with abdominal exercises, was wearing full and light clothes while walking.

Mr. Han.

Yes, Dr. James.

Have you decided on your collaborative assignment partner today? If you haven't already...

Proposal from James Rhodel, a candidate who is currently ranked # 1 in overall rating scores.

You can definitely aim for a high score, but you are the biggest competitor after achieving the top 5%.

I've already decided to go with Professor Irfan.

In Jungwoo's answer, the one leaning on the bed said, "With me? Really? ’

Hmmm. I can't help it. There's no one more reliable than Mr. Hahn in an explosion. I have to get to Professor Schweiger.

The unfortunate James disappears into District D, where the German astronomer is in second place.

Mr. Han. You might not get a high score with me.

Why?

A man who can only calculate.

I only know chemistry.

A., you have to compare.

Although Irfan said not with his mouth, he felt good.

8: 00 a.m.

The remaining participants gathered in front of a very large tank, with the exception of 3,800 people who were not able to reverse the ranking even after receiving the high scores.

This evaluation was a task for a model of the International Space Station underwater, where pilots, mission experts, and a group of space experimenters came together to solve a collaborative task.

Enter Group 5.

Gus looked at the camera illuminating the neutral floating water tank in the employee's report and saw that it contained 701 times, giving his eyes a glare.

- We're in. Initiating hull repair.

An Air Force colonel from the same group moves to the module in front of the two engineers and the space station model.

Behind them, the skydiver follows as it assists in feeling weightless.

701 and 342 initiated experiments with a device that hooks to the central system model and shoots light.

Gus turns his head, only looking at the camera pointing at 701.

He's the one who destroyed the tribe where the Mission Design team was working on a deliberate experiment. Tom, what's the situation?

During the space particle reflection experiment, the helmet is filled with coolant.

A few years ago, a risky accident that would have actually caused a Russian pilot to drown in space would have occurred in 701 spacesuits.

Really? Robbery?

Because that weird litter mop absorbed all the dust, the dust purifier from the Development Team 3 fell off the Ares. The whole team sees me as if to kill me.

I've lost a hundredth of my weight and if it works the same way, put a light one like me on top of the rocket. The three teams are sorry to have that...

Gus coughs as he sees a crowd of three members of his development team behind the control room. Anyway, 701 was the moment I was looking forward to.

-Electrojection tools ready. Running pairlet test…… huh?

701 confused voices were transmitted over the radio.

- Situation room, we have a problem. Cooling water flows from the space suit and soaks the neck.

The five trillion others immediately responded as a result of the problems they raised with one team member.

- Temporary…… action…….

I heard 701 radio waves go down because the water quickly filled my mouth.

How far have you set up the coolant spill?

Right under the nose.

Breathing won't be easy.

Intensive training underwater and serious threats. It was a situation that led to panic.

Situation room! Officer Lim Wu is in trouble and is returning to the station!

Approval. Evacuate immediately.

Astronauts had virtues as important as their experience as pilots, scientists and technicians.

Ability to resolve urgent issues by yourself or in collaboration with team members in isolated spaces. The fact that no help can be sought from the outside has forced the astronaut to develop this ability.

- Hang on, Hangwoo's men are communicating. The mission team should continue with the Hull Repair assignment. I'll be okay... What, what?

Pilot group, 117 surprised voices, even more flinched the screen.

701 is fully operational with cold water in the helmet.

Tom, you said you only injected it under your nose.

Huh? I'm sure...

You did the right thing, right? What happened...? I'll go ask him myself.

After completing both the hull repair and the experiment, the five trillion came out of the tank.

People flock around Jungwoo from the crane.

Water flows out of your space suit as soon as you take off your helmet.

Jungwoo used 50,000 impressions and spit water out of his mouth a few times.

Gus, who ran from the control room for a month, asks as he builds up Jungwoo.

Mr. Limit Woo. Are you okay?

"Whoo-hoo. I'm reminded of a biohazard I don't want to do again.

It was really dangerous because of the coolant. Our engineers said that they did not spill coolant to such a dangerous water level…….

Jungwoo coughed again and spit out the water in his lungs, pausing for a moment.

You know, I opened it up on purpose by asking an engineer team member 180.

Open more?

He smiles reassuringly at Gus's gaze for attempted suicide, then points to the moisture buried inside his spacesuit.

Cooling water has a structure similar to perfluorodecalin that can hold oxygen. It's harmless to the human body, so we've combined a temporary liquid respiratory formulation. Professor Irfan was very helpful. He told me you're good at math, and he gave me his SATs in 0.1 seconds.

After getting off the crane with a box of experimental tools, Gus and all around Jungwoo looked at themselves and smiled beautifully.

But I don't think it would have happened if it had happened in space. There wouldn't have been a particle spraying machine that allowed high-density oxygen injection into the cooling water tube. I wouldn't be the professor my colleague told me about.

Gus smiled as if he was lucky.

That's why Apollo 13 became the space mission of the century.

A friendship that overcomes the most intense issues in accidents and leads to success for team members. Gus taps his shoulder back to the control room.

After a while.

After the five trillion assessments appeared on the monitor, Professor Irfan raised his hands and cheered.

"Research Journal # 4 - Experiments Without Borders"

In-depth interview of the selection committee. A medical exam that looks at every little scar on your body. A detailed statement of the supervisors who participated in the assessment was added, finally confirming the name of the final five.

I eventually didn't get into it, but I got a chance to be included as a backup for a full astronaut training.

Space Lab Specialist Group 630-2. It was a steep climb, but somehow the effort failed.

I couldn't help but overhear Dr. Steven Pilong's emptiness that I would be able to go into space next year or later.

I reconnected with the Chinese naval paradise with the feeling of catching straws. We can be up here in at least four months.

But the answer that came back, the situation that was going on, was totally different from the kind that I was thinking about.

Johnson Space Center, AM 03: 07.

The NASA staff rushed into Houston's Situation Control Room like crazy.

On your feet! Sam! Get Space Command on the line!

- Connecting!

NASA Director John Griffin focused on the information that came to his mind on the giant monitor.

A small point that has entered the orbit of the Earth, and crashing towards it.

A line pointed to that point, and represented the information called the "Heaven Palace No. 1 Space Station."

Raise your projected crash spot.

The engineer, who was just in his seat, hurriedly teases his finger.

A flat world map emerged with a range calculated in red.

It covers 43 degrees north to 43 degrees south.

All countries in Europe, Asia, North America and South America were in control.

Steven, who later entered the situation room, approached Director John and asked.

Director, isn't it common for a satellite to drop at the end of an activity?

A radio with a crew stationed in the heavenly palace communicating with the anti-heaven. It was an urgent communal channel. You can speak Chinese, so listen.

Director John reached out for the headset. Steven widened his eyes as soon as he put it on his ear.

- I can no longer control extinction. Half the lab control board has melted down, and the station's life support is dangerous. When will CZ-5 arrive?

- The rocket launch has been postponed.

What am I supposed to do?

- Uzbo, listen to me. If we don't manage that material properly, you're not the only one who's done it, we're done. China is finished too!... Huh? We can't just call the emergency channel!

The radio was shut down after the hissing noise.

What's in Heaven Palace No. 1?

I'm trying to find out. I think they've developed a new weapon. The CIA suspects a bioweapon.

In Space?

It's the best place to get out of the way of the international community. Weapons development regulations, which will be most constrained, are confined to the Earth. As a Chinese government, you can stand a chance.

Then the unknown weapon is now….

Director John nods to Steven as he looks at the screen.

Yes, I'm falling.

Steven asked, feeling all the hairs on his body.

Aren't we supposed to report the matter we shot into space to the International Space Development Department? Did he break the treaty?

I have to find it. Sam!

At the bottom of the big screen, an engineer posted a list of everything the Chinese Department of Space and Development had shot into the heavenly palace.

Thousands of compound names. The tools involved in the experiments were complicated.

Hmm. I can't tell if I'm watching this. I think we split the pieces up, considering they might get caught. Sam, send the same data group to the server. All chemistry majors are not mutually exclusive…….

It's General Hawthorne on line two!

Director John, who finished his instructions, was contacted immediately.

John Griffin.

- What am I getting? If the heavenly palace falls on American soil, we have to review a war scenario with China? Explain yourself!

10,000 NASA associates are out at dawn analyzing it all. I think if I save you the time to be mad at him, I can get the results to you sooner.

After a brief phone call with the Secretary of Defense, Director John looks back at the screen. Steven suddenly remembers something and calls out to him.

Director.

Yes?

The best chemist in the world is visiting the Johnson Center, should we show him that?

Are you better than the chemists in our research group?

"Of course. Half of the research group's experiments have reached him in the last week.

John Griffin's eyes widen with this sound.

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