SWDnovel Chapter 160 Strategic Cooperation
Chapter 160 Strategic Cooperation
The week after returning from the capital, Han Lu brought unexpected news.
"China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation wants to sign a strategic cooperation agreement with 402."
Zuo Cheng was looking at the progress report of the ground simulation experiment when he heard this. He put down the document and looked at Han Lu.
"Did they approach them on their own initiative?"
"They approached me proactively. After the symposium, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation conducted an internal assessment, concluding that their technical reserves in microwave transmission were inferior to those of the 402 Institute. Their deputy chief engineer called Han Lu yesterday and arranged to meet this Friday."
Zuo Cheng didn't immediately respond. He had dealt with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation before and knew the way these state-owned giants operated. They wouldn't easily back down; the only possibility for them to approach him proactively was that the higher-ups had already made a decision.
On Friday morning, the deputy chief engineer of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation arrived at the 402 headquarters with four other people.
The deputy chief engineer, surnamed Su, was in his early fifties, with graying hair but a sprightly demeanor. He wore a dark blue work uniform with an aerospace technology badge pinned to his chest. The four people following behind him were the heads of the Microwave Technology Department, the Satellite Overall Department, the Launch Site Management Department, and the Strategic Planning Department, respectively.
Zuo Cheng received them in the conference room on the third floor.
Deputy Chief Engineer Su got straight to the point.
"Mr. Zuo, I won't beat around the bush. We held internal meetings for three days after the symposium, and the conclusion is clear: in the field of space photovoltaics, your microwave transmission technology is globally leading. While aerospace technology has accumulated experience in launch capabilities and satellite platforms, microwave transmission and ground reception are weaknesses. We would like to sign a strategic cooperation agreement with 402."
He pushed a document towards me.
Zuo Cheng glanced at it. The cooperation framework was clear, divided into three parts. First, joint research and development of a microwave transmission system, with Aerospace Science and Technology responsible for the satellite platform and launch, and 402 responsible for microwave transmission and ground reception. Second, technology sharing, with each party opening up its core technologies to the other. Third, market promotion, jointly promoting the commercialization of space photovoltaics.
"How long will the cooperation period last?" Zuo Cheng asked.
"Five years, with an initial investment of 500 million, each party contributing 250 million. Further investment will be made based on the results of the verification satellite."
Han Lu quickly did the math. Two hundred and fifty million was no small sum for 402. Although the 1.1 billion from the Series B funding had arrived, with multiple projects underway simultaneously—space photovoltaics, drones, and new energy vehicles—the company was not flush with cash.
But Zuo Cheng did not hesitate.
"A five-year cooperation period is acceptable. But there are two conditions."
Deputy Chief Engineer Su made a "please go ahead" gesture.
"First, each party retains its own intellectual property rights to the technologies. We jointly own the right to use the results of our joint research and development, but each party retains its own rights to the core technologies developed independently. Second, 402 has the right to independently commercialize space photovoltaics; this is not exclusive."
Deputy Chief Engineer Su pondered for a few seconds, then nodded.
"These two conditions are reasonable. I'll report back to the group, and if they agree, we can sign the contract next month."
Zuo Cheng stood up and extended his hand.
"Looking forward to cooperation."
The signing is scheduled for one month from now. The location is the headquarters building of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation in Beijing.
On the day of the signing, each side sent fifteen people to the event. Zuo Cheng's delegation included Yu Ying, Li Guodong, Han Lu, Shen Yiming, and Qiu Pei. The Aerospace Science and Technology side, in addition to Deputy Chief Engineer Su, also included the chief engineers of three business units and the director of the strategic planning department.
The official name of the agreement is the "Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement for Joint Research and Development of Space Photovoltaics." The terms are more detailed than previously agreed upon. The joint research and development is divided into three phases. The first phase, lasting two years, focuses on overcoming ground-based verification challenges in microwave transmission. The second phase, also lasting two years, involves the launch and on-orbit testing of the verification satellite. The third phase will focus on commercialization, with both parties jointly promoting the construction of space photovoltaic power stations.
In terms of funding, the initial investment is 500 million, with each party contributing 250 million. This money is earmarked for joint research and development. Subsequent investments will be discussed based on the results of the verification satellite, with an estimated additional investment of over 5 billion.
After the signing ceremony, Deputy Chief Engineer Su had a private conversation with Zuo Cheng for a few minutes.
"Mr. Zuo, I've been in the aerospace industry for thirty years. I've only seen two people your age who have reached this level. The other one is at Xingchen Technology."
Zuo Cheng was slightly taken aback. Starry Sky Technology. That name appeared once again.
After seeing the aerospace technology personnel off, Zuo Cheng returned to his office. He opened the system panel, and the progress bar for the space photovoltaic branch brightened up a bit more. It wasn't an illusion; it was genuinely getting brighter.
He put his phone on the table and stared at the ceiling for a long time.
If the aerospace technology cooperation is finalized, it will mean that 402 will officially transition from an internet technology company into the aerospace field. Launch capabilities, satellite platforms, and ground station networks—these are all products of decades of accumulated expertise in aerospace technology. 402 is using its microwave transmission technology as leverage to secure the support of the entire aerospace industry chain.
This is a good deal.
My phone rang; Zhao Wenbo had sent me a message.
"Mr. Zuo, the chairman of Xingchen Technology would like to meet with you. You can choose the time and place."
Zuo Cheng stared at the message and remained silent for a full minute.
The chairman of Xingchen Technology, a man who has never appeared in public. Zhao Wenbo has mentioned him many times, but Zuo Cheng has always declined, saying "the time is not right." But now, the time seems to have arrived.
He replied with a message.
"I'll decide the location next Wednesday."
Then he turned off his phone, stood up, and walked to the window. The setting sun had dyed the Hangzhou skyline orange-red.
Five years ago, when he wrote his first line of code in his dormitory, he never imagined that one day he would be standing here.
But that's how the path was forged.
Step by step, from image recognition with 500,000 pixels to communication networks with hundreds of satellites, and now to space photovoltaics.
Zuo Cheng picked up his phone and sent a message to Yu Ying.
"Kongkong, the chairman of Xingchen Technology wants to see me next week. Do you think I should go?"
Yu Ying replied three minutes later.
"Brother, some doors, once opened, can't be turned back. But if you don't open them, you'll never know what's behind them."
Zuo Cheng smiled. Yu Ying never gave him simple answers, but she always managed to help him figure things out.
He opened the system panel again. The progress bar for the space photovoltaic branch was almost twice as bright as it had been a month ago. Next to it was a line of small print: "Verification satellite launch condition testing in progress."
Launch conditions. Those three words made Zuo Cheng pause for a moment.
Three conditions: technical feasibility, funding availability, and confirmed launch capability.
The technology is technically feasible and has been verified through simulation. Funding is in place; the 500 million yuan from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is about to arrive. Regarding launch capability, a cooperation agreement has just been signed with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The three conditions are becoming a reality one by one.
Zuo Cheng looked at the text on the screen, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up.
He typed three words: I know.