Chapter 130: Mechanical Exoskeleton (Extra update for everyone's monthly tickets) \_1

Jiang Shiliu introduced, "This is the J-55 type individual mech exoskeleton, also known as J55, with a net weight of 168 kilograms.

'On Earth, this big guy would definitely be a burden!'"

The J55 has long mechanical arms, and its torso and legs are also equipped with highly tech-savvy mechanical structures.

This gear looks quite heavy, but in the weightlessness of space, it appeared to float, as if it had no weight.

Because there is no sound in space, this segment of the video was set to a flowing symphony.

Jiang Yu strongly suspected that the music was picked by Liu Li, as it was unexpectedly set to the theme tune of "2001: A Space Odyssey."

With the astronaut suited up in the mech exoskeleton, the shot immediately took on an epic feel.

After being equipped with the mech exoskeleton, the astronaut first disconnected from the space station and, using quadruple thrusters that looked like puffs of white mist, slowly drifted away from the station.

After moving a certain distance away, the astronaut waved at the camera operator and activated the jet propeller.

The astronaut quickly accelerated, and in just one or two seconds, had reached a very high speed.

The camera operator had to accelerate quickly too, in order not to lose sight of the target.

The scene then switched to a wide-angle shot from the space station.

In one corner of the frame, there was a part of a deep blue planet.

Most of the frame was taken up by the empty star curtain.

Under the stars, two points of light that resembled summer fireflies rapidly flew back and forth across the screen.

They darted forward swiftly or turned around in arcing trajectories.

Jiang Shiliu explained, "The J55's propulsion system can accelerate to 300 kilometers per hour in just one second in space, with a maximum speed of 500 kilometers per hour, and its current operational radius is limited to 400 kilometers.

'There's still a lot of room for improvement in speed and operational radius!'"

The video shot changed again, now following closely behind the J55.

The machine gun mounted on the fast-moving J55's shoulder suddenly opened fire, and bullets seemed to explode in the distance.

As the camera zoomed in, the targets that exploded were actually retro-shaped satellites, presumably for target practice.

Jiang Yu noticed that the fragments from the satellites all flew in one direction when they exploded.

Jiang Shiliu explained, "Metal recyclers were put in place before the exercise, to prevent space debris from affecting the various space stations and construction bases in low Earth orbit.

'The J55 is equipped with an automated aiming system that can aid the pilot's targeting during rapid movement!

'Since laser weapons are not yet fully developed, J55 is only equipped with one large-caliber machine gun, but its weapon systems will be upgraded in the future.'"

In the video, after demonstrating its machine gun firepower, the J55 charged towards a segment of a decommissioned space station's wreckage.

It extended its long mechanical arm and cut into the station's outer wall as if slicing tofu.

The camera zoomed in, showing the pilot deftly controlling the J55 to first yank with the left hand, then with the right, tearing a huge hole in the abandoned space station.

If this were a real battle, the people inside the space station would surely be dead beyond doubt.

The video ended, the curtain automatically retracted, and the smart window curtains slowly opened.

Jiang Shiliu continued, "Currently, there are only three prototypes of the J55, and the PDC stipulates that mass production cannot commence until the act governing the weapon officially takes effect. No country's Space Army is permitted to make purchases either."

Jiang Yu nodded, "At least the PDC is exercising a minimum of caution. The J55 should be the first space maneuverable weapon,

"Especially since laser weapons are not yet capable of being equipped on space stations, traditional firearms and missiles have a hard time being effective in space.

"If a J55 fell into the hands of the ETO or extremists opposed to space endeavors, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

From the video earlier, everyone in attendance had already understood that the most feared attack of the J55 was "ripping apart space stations."

Given the current defense level of space stations, there is simply no way to resist this move.

Jiang Shiliu took over, "Exactly, which is why the PDC plans to strictly control the service numbers of J55.

"The council states are prepared to limit the number of J55s each country can have through the form of treaty agreements.

"Negotiations are said to have reached mid-stage, with China and the United States expected to each have twelve J55 units, while other countries will have between ten and beneath ten units."

Jiang Yu said with a smile, "When it comes to weapons that could change the current situation in space, they are indeed very sensitive."

He then asked, "What about the civilian applications for the J55?"

Jiang Shiliu replied, "The civilian version of the exoskeleton model is the J32, which does not have such huge mechanical arms, nor does it have weapons and propulsion systems, posing no significant threat to space stations and other facilities.

"Currently, large numbers of J32 are in service at the construction sites of Moon City and Space City.

"Since the area of extraterrestrial job sites typically does not exceed ten kilometers, the J32 can also be used in conjunction with the J-3, giving space-operating robots greater mechanical power."

Jiang Yu was quite satisfied with the outcome. Anytime he had a new achievement, he had to bring it out for use quickly, because only by using it on one hand could new achievements be summarized on the other hand.

Normal scientific progress always advances in this step-by-step manner.

That night, Jiang Yu and Jiang Shiliu dined together, and during their casual conversation, Jiang Shiliu mentioned that in the past five years, he had visited Qi Family Village with Yang Dong thrice and visited Jiang Yu's parents every few months.

These interactions made Jiang Shiliu feel as if he too had a family.

By the end of the dinner, their conversation gradually became more somber.

Jiang Shiliu said, "Looking at the current situation, humanity is still without hope.

"The path of artificial intelligence is bound to be a dead end. I have already felt the ceiling that Sophon has set for humanity's AI looming overhead, and the rapid progress of artificial intelligence cannot last much longer."

Jiang Yu, however, replied with a smile, "Don't be so pessimistic. Continue your research. A day will come when it will be useful."

Jiang Shiliu voiced the question that had long troubled him, "You seem to have always been especially confident about the future?"

Jiang Yu replied with a laugh, "Many times, the way to life lies within the dead end. It's an eternal truth that has never changed. Right now, the way to life hasn't become evident only because the time hasn't arrived yet."

Jiang Shiliu shook his head, indicating that he was not as optimistic as Jiang Yu, but he did not dwell further on the topic, instead saying,

"Regardless of anyone else, I am determined to fight the Trisolarans to the end!"

Jiang Yu patted his hand, "Hatred can give you motivation, but never let it consume you!"

Although Jiang Shiliu usually did not display his intense hatred for the Trisolarans, having been an experimental subject in the dark underground for so many years, it was impossible not to harbor hatred in his heart.

This was also why Jiang Yu had a lot of faith in Jiang Shiliu. When he saw Jiang Shiliu performing brain insertion surgery on the base's people without anesthetics, he sensed the hatred in Jiang Shiliu's heart.

It confirmed to him that Jiang Shiliu would undoubtedly stand in opposition to the Trisolarans.