The Radio for Special Forces
CEO Ryu Gwang-soo had been in constant contact with domestic research institutes to develop the reflector, and he announced the start of domestic development by signing a development agreement with the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science.
"CEO, we’ve finally selected a research institution for the reflector. It’s a difficult technology, but the researchers are showing immense interest, saying that with sufficient research funding, it’s worth a shot."
"The title of 'Korea's first' will draw even more interest. Researchers are often obsessed with the word 'first.' Anyway, how is the prototype coming along that adds FM/AM communication to the existing satellite terminal?"
"Since it’s just adding radio functionality, the prototype is out and currently undergoing testing. CEO, the radio itself isn't a big problem, but the headset is the issue."
"Why the headset?"
"The combat helmets used by the South Korean and U.S. militaries cover the ears completely, which makes choosing a headset type difficult."
"We are targeting the radio market for special forces, so why don't we produce them in a form that covers the ears?"
"Wouldn't that make the market too narrow? We could expand the market further by using bone-conduction headsets in addition to the ear-covering type."
"Then let's prepare both specifications."
"Also, there is a problem regarding the satellite environmental testing equipment. We received word from the U.S. that the earliest it can be delivered is this December."
"Which equipment is the problem?"
"They say it takes extra time to manufacture the temperature chamber."
"In that case, we can't launch the satellite within this year..."
"I apologize, but it seems we have to push the schedule to next year. Even though I sent an opinion that we would pay additional costs to speed up the time, the answer was that it's impossible."
"For now, once the satellite production is finished, let's conduct other tests first and leave the temperature test for last. Also, please look into launch vehicle companies in advance."
"Understood. Would you like to go see the radio test?"
"If it's ready, let's go down and see it for ourselves."
"Then, the solar panel operation test is also scheduled for today; would you like to see that as well?"
"Let's do that."
Taesik went with CEO Ryu to the location of the radio prototype and observed the radio test being conducted by the staff. When Taesik appeared, the employee who was testing the radio stood up from his seat with a nervous expression, leaving the radio behind, and greeted him.
"Please, finish what you were doing. Which radio are you communicating with? I don't see the other radio you're communicating with."
The employee answered in a stiff tone, seemingly nervous.
"They are outside to check for noise when entering indoors."
Suddenly, a radio transmission came through during the conversation with Taesik.
"Assistant Manager Lee! Can you hear me? Why aren't you sending a signal?"
The employee was flustered, pressed the radio transmit button, and replied.
"The President and the CEO are here next to me, Section Chief."
"..."
After seeing the employees flustered, Taesik took the radio directly.
"Where are you located right now?"
"I'm three blocks away from the company."
Along with the employee's answer, the sound of someone saying that the ordered coffee was ready could be heard.
"Are you indoors by any chance?"
"...Yes."
"If the sound quality is this good while both sides are indoors, there's no problem at all. Enjoy your coffee."
"...Understood. CEO."
CEO Ryu Gwang-soo looked embarrassed that his employee was elsewhere during working hours, but Taesik laughed and said it was fine, telling him not to worry about it, as a moment of deviation in work life was acceptable.
"What is the communication range of the radio?"
"It reaches up to 4km, but the communication range is meaningless. We can increase the range by adding relay functions to the radio itself, and in cases where radio communication is impossible, we can use satellite communication."
"It's decent for special forces. Will the test be completed within this week?"
"The test evaluation can be completed within this week, but is there a place to sell it? To enter the defense industry market, we need cooperation from the Ministry of National Defense, but our foundation is non-existent."
"We have to try overseas rather than domestically first. We should aim for the AUSA (Association of the United States Army) exhibition in the U.S. It's too much of a waste of a terminal to be satisfied with just supplying it to Thuraya."
"I also think it's a waste to bury a terminal that can use not only short-range communication but also long-range satellite communication like this. It's suitable for special forces because it can also notify location information using satellite communication, but it's a pity that I can't find a place to sell it."
"I'll take care of finding a place to sell it, so please focus only on the test evaluation. Now, let's go see the solar panel test."
When they moved to the satellite assembly plant, workers and engineers were checking the solar panels attached to the satellite and confirming the wire connection status on the ceiling. CEO Ryu Gwang-soo looked at the solar panels mounted on the satellite body with admiration and asked Taesik a question.
"CEO. Is it okay not to use an explosive method for the solar panel deployment?"
"The explosive method causes the satellite to move in a zero-gravity state, and the dust generated from the explosion can cause problems for the reflector."
"Still, past satellites have used the explosive method, so isn't it too technically risky to suddenly use a non-explosive method?"
At the time Taesik regressed, most had been using non-explosive separation devices because of the problems with explosive separation devices, so he answered confidently.
"We are conducting the solar panel deployment test because the technical risk is high. If we secure sufficient reliability in today's test, it won't be a problem."
The engineers sent a signal that the test preparation was complete after checking the solar panel and wire connection status.
"CEO. The solar panel deployment test preparation is complete."
"Have you checked the wire status?"
Taesik conducted a final preparation check while asking about the wire connection status installed to simulate conditions equivalent to a zero-gravity state.
"Yes. We adjusted the tension so it can move in a free state."
"Understood. Let's start the test immediately."
"We will start the solar panel deployment test immediately. 5 seconds to separation, 4 seconds to separation... Separation!"
As soon as the engineer sent the signal, they sent an electrical signal, and the separation device separated the solar panels as soon as the command was given.
"Solar panel separation complete!"
The separated solar panels began to unfold slowly through the restoring force of the hinges on the folded parts, and the left and right solar panels began to deploy in opposite directions. The solar panels, folded in 4 layers, unfolded slowly, and the wires continuously held the gravity applied to the solar panels, minimizing the influence of gravity during the deployment process.
"Solar panel deployment complete!"
As the 4-layered solar panels were fully unfolded to the left and right, the engineers clapped and cheered, and CEO Ryu Gwang-soo was also amazed.
"The attitude control system has already completed the test, and the solar panel deployment test has just been completed. Now we just need to conduct the environmental test."
"There's no problem other than the thermal vacuum chamber test, right?"
"Yes. Now that the configuration verification is finished, we can proceed with the environmental tests in order."
Taesik, who attended the radio and satellite solar panel tests, returned to the office and immediately wrote a document explaining the specifications and functions of the radio for special forces, then called Department Head Park Kyung-hoon.
"Department Head. Are you still in contact with the NIS?"
"I occasionally keep in touch with people I know. Why do you ask?"
"I developed a radio for special forces this time, and I'm planning to supply it to the Ministry of National Defense. Since the NIS also conducts many overseas activities, it seems they would need the radio we developed."
"Ah! I will send the catalog."
"And is there anyone you know at the Ministry of National Defense?"
"The Ministry of National Defense won't be easy. Considering the closed nature of the defense industry, there must be a demand from the Ministry of National Defense to supply new military equipment..."
"I know that too. I'm thinking of sending only the catalog for now and breaking into the U.S. first. The intention is to let them know in advance that a decent radio has been developed."
"If it's to that extent, I know quite a few people."
Taesik handed the material with the radio information to Department Head Park Kyung-hoon and then immediately applied for participation in the AUSA (Association of the United States Army) exhibition online. After sending the radio-related catalog to the U.S. Embassy, he called Shane of Starlink Map in the U.S.
"Shane! Have you been well?"
"CEO. I was just about to contact you. The draft of the U.S. electronic map is complete."
"Ah! The progress is faster than I thought."
"Now we need to launch the product, but we need a navigation system. When will the prototype come out?"
"I was actually calling you because of that. In Korea, the navigation production is finished, and we are producing electronic maps. We can proceed with the test immediately if we only have the U.S. electronic map. Can you send me the electronic map?"
"Understood. I will send you the completed electronic map right away."
"And I'm planning to visit Washington soon. I'm thinking of participating in the AUSA exhibition."
"Isn't AUSA an exhibition hosted by the Army? Did you develop a weapon by any chance?"
"No. I developed a radio for special forces, and I'm trying to secure a sales outlet in the U.S."
"That's great. There is a matter to report regarding navigation sales, so we can discuss it when you visit."
Shane sent the electronic map right away, and Taesik moved to Deputy General Manager Son Kyung-chan's office to observe the electronic map linkage test.
"Is this map the U.S. map?"
"Yes. It's a map created by Starlink Map in the U.S. Can we test it right away?"
CEO Son Kyung-chan designated the GPS information as a fake location in LA, U.S., and started the linkage immediately. The navigation system recognized the set coordinate value as the current location, displayed it on the map, and searched for a route as soon as the destination was entered.
"The U.S. map is a 2D shape unlike ours, and it doesn't contain real-time traffic information."
"Yes. U.S. DMB is difficult to receive while moving, so the situation is different from Korea. Unlike Korea, we have no choice but to provide information based on the terminal. In a few years, a communication method that can reflect real-time traffic information will be developed."
"The structure of the electronic map is simple, so there is no problem at all. I think it would be okay to test it right away in the U.S."
Deputy General Manager Son seemed disappointed with the simple form of the function that did not reflect real-time traffic information, unlike the Korean navigation system, and finished the linkage test. Taesik sent 100 test navigation systems to the U.S. and departed for the U.S. with the personnel who would participate in the AUSA exhibition. CEO Ryu Gwang-soo put pressure on the employees who would participate in the AUSA exhibition to achieve results, and Taesik laughed and dissuaded CEO Ryu, saying they only needed to master the prepared scenario.
The employees memorized the English scenario, remembered their respective roles, boarded the plane, and headed to Washington, U.S., where the AUSA exhibition is held.