Chapter 450: Transported up
The personnel at the console also noticed these huge metal objects on the seabed almost simultaneously.
Undersea rocks appeared for the first time in the Desolate Sea at a depth of 7,400 meters. Although they have not yet reached the bottom of the sea, it is already a big breakthrough.
The huge metal object stayed quietly on the rock wall. Director Li and Technician Wang hurried over from the platform to talk about it. They were also pulled together to watch the unmanned detection. The device detects the metal object.
“The size may exceed the control limit of the unmanned detector, and it is estimated that it will not be possible.”
"Don't say such depressing words yet, let the detector use the robotic arm to try to see if it can move it."
The controller of the unmanned detector in front received the instruction and immediately switched to manual gear and controlled the unmanned detector. The human detector immediately adjusted its direction and moved towards the source of this abnormal signal.
The light of the unmanned detector penetrated the darkness of the sea floor and illuminated the huge metal object. The huge metal object glowed with a black and cold light, and the special lines looked like spider webs.
The spider web patterns on the surface of the meteorite fragments were like some kind of mysterious patterns and symbols, flashing with uninterpretable information under the light, and everyone at the scene held their breath involuntarily.
The unmanned probe slowly approached the meteorite fragments, and then slowly extended its robotic arm.
There are special cameras and sensors above the robotic arm to scan the huge meteorite fragment.
More than ten seconds later, the preliminary detection data on the metal of this huge submarine meteorite was transmitted to the research ship console on the sea.
"...The composition is unknown."
"...No radiation reaction."
"...The magnetism is normal and the unknown metal constitutes the main body."
A group of scientific researchers observed all this in the cabin console of the scientific research ship. Their faces were full of surprise and excitement. The unknown composition of this thing is expected. If the preliminary exploration of the equipment proves that it is just an ordinary metal composition, then If they could be found anywhere on the Origin Star or Earth, their trip would be somewhat worthless.
However, the size of the huge meteorite fragment in front of them far exceeded their expectations. According to the thoughts of these people at the scene, the size of the meteorite fragments after the collision should be between tens of centimeters or several meters. That's all, but the huge meteorite fragment found in front of us is obviously more than ten meters long. It is inserted diagonally into the rock wall. A discerning person can see at a glance that this thing is difficult to get out.
"Unknown ingredients... Do you think the discovery of this meteorite fragment may change mankind's understanding of the universe and itself?"
An old man standing in front squinted his eyes. He said, "You can take a guess at the characteristics of this thing."
"According to my guess, it is most likely a hard material like heterogeneous steel."
"We still need to get it out before we know what it is. The problem right now is that this thing is too big and we can't pull it up."
"How about... put in more unmanned detectors to pull it up?" Come out?"
"You can use explosives. The next unmanned detector will be equipped with special explosives for positioning and blasting, and just blow this thing out of the rock wall."
"This unmanned detector will. Isn’t there one on the human detector?”
“Normally, the explosives used underwater also need special models, and ordinary explosives cannot be used at a depth of 7,000 meters. .”
While everyone was talking, the unmanned detector moved slowly around the meteorite fragments. Its camera captured some fine details. There were some tiny holes on the surface of the meteorite fragments, which looked like they were eaten by some kind of small insects.
“Are these the traces caused by the Kara bug?”
“It is possible that the blood and body fluids of the bugs themselves are corrosive to a certain extent. This type of cavities It also looks like it was corroded.”
Everyone looked at the scenes on other sides of the meteorite that appeared on the screen. The unmanned detector had basically inspected it, except that the lower part was stuck in the rock wall. Most of the upper part of the entire meteorite fragment is exposed.
“The robotic arm tries to move.”
"Received."
The unmanned detectors immediately adjusted their postures. The two nearby unmanned detectors moved to both sides of the meteorite fragments, and then stretched out their mechanical arms directly forward. He skillfully stuck the key position, and as the controller made a voice signal, the screen suddenly began to shake.
The engines of the unmanned detectors fired simultaneously, and the two unmanned detectors tried to get the huge meteorite fragment out of the rock wall with full force. Unfortunately, it lasted for more than ten seconds. After a while, the entire meteorite fragment was still stuck in the rock wall without moving.
"Dear leaders, it is obvious that the unmanned detector cannot be produced."
"Then we have to think of another way."
"Follow what I said before, launch the unmanned detector again, install an underwater blasting device, and blow up the entire rock wall. This meteorite fragment can definitely be recovered."
"This is the only way. Yes, I will apply to the Qinglong Base now... The Qinglong Base may not have the stuff, so I need to contact the outpost base."
"Let's make a plan."
Everyone quickly responded. After determining the method, a group of big guys began to sort out the solution. How much and what style of underwater blasting explosives were needed, which one was available in the two bases, and which one was not available at the two bases. The speed was so fast that Technician Wang was somewhat uncomfortable.
"It will take some time to send it here, let the unmanned detector continue to go down."
"How deep can these deep-diving devices reach?"
"These two can reach almost 11,000 meters."
"Yes, it is much stronger than the deep-sea detectors used on the earth. Now, let them go down. We just need to mark the position here.”
The controller of the unmanned detector in front nodded, and the two detectors slowly retracted their robotic arms. Continue to energize the descent devices of their respective deep-diving devices, and the propellers of the unmanned detectors also begin to work, and the two detectors slowly begin to move downward. ……
Three hours later, the specially modified underwater unmanned probe sent from the outpost was located on the platform of the Intrepid Discovery.
Several staff members who were temporarily transferred spent more than half an hour to transform the working platform and upgrade it into a giant lifting device.
At this time, the mobile operating platform on the Intrepid Discovery has turned into a huge crane, which ensures that it has enough power to lift heavy meteorite fragments.
There are several specially-made ropes hung on the crane, which are guaranteed to withstand huge pulling forces and can even drag huge meteorite fragments from a depth of 7,000 meters without breaking.
However, under normal circumstances, the distance is less than 7000 meters. The length of the rope sent is about 4000 meters. It is considered a new product of Qinglong Base. This time it is used more like a test.
"What kind of material are these ropes made of? They don't look like steel wires."
A staff member on the research ship looked at the ropes with a silvery white luster. These ropes are soft and can be coiled directly. At the same time, they have The texture of metal and plastic made him feel particularly magical.
"It seems to be nanomaterials..."
A modifier from Qinglong Base responded subconsciously. He really didn't know what the material of these experimental models was.
Another staff member obviously knew and said directly: "It is a rope made of special carbon nanotubes made by the ACS platform. It seems to be different from ordinary carbon nanotubes. It is mixed with I don’t know what it is, it’s still being tested in the laboratory.”
"I heard that you are going to lift things from the deep sea. The Qinglong Base specially approved a section to help."
"A section is several kilometers long. What is it used for? What should this thing be made of?" It’s not for communications, right?”
“It’s used as a space elevator.”
The man responded with a smile: “Qinglong Base now has a space elevator project team, which covers everything. There are more than a dozen studios, and this rope was obtained from a laboratory under the project team."
A few people looked at each other, and immediately there was a hint of disbelief on their faces.
Carbon nanotubes are a kind of nanomaterial formed by single or multi-layer carbon atoms arranged in a cylindrical shape. It has very high strength and elastic modulus. At the same time, carbon nanotubes also have good corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. properties, which makes them an ideal material for making space elevator cables.
However, despite the huge potential of carbon nanotubes, the original technology was not yet able to produce carbon nanotube fibers long and strong enough in large quantities and at low cost to meet the needs of space elevators.
In addition, the construction and operation of space elevators also involve numerous technical, legal and ethical issues, such as the centrifugal force caused by the Earth's rotation, the threat of space debris and micrometeoroids, and the impact on the Earth's rotation speed Etc., space elevators are often regarded as a beautiful science fiction imagination on earth.
But the current situation does not seem to be like this. Some parts of the beautiful fantasy have begun to have breakthroughs. Among them, the most core space elevator cable material has actually achieved breakthroughs...
They do not The people on Blue Sea Planet who knew about such engineering plans were also running around doing scientific research. After the space elevator project was established, they were not allowed to join it. At this time, after learning the news from a person He seemed a little surprised.
What can be seen now is that the association's support for the space elevator is very strong. The carbon nanotube ropes used for this kind of experiment are several kilometers long, and four of them have been transferred, tens of thousands of meters of top-notch materials. Using it casually like this made them feel slightly envious.
The next operation was much simpler and cruder. Four unmanned detectors equipped with special explosive devices were launched into the water at the same time. The scientific research vessel No. 2 was launched there, and the mobile platform took a few hours to launch them. These gadgets were sent to the 7000+ deep sea area again, and huge black meteorite fragments were seen again.
The location of blasting is also very particular. This is not a professional matter for the personnel on site. The Qinglong base thoughtfully sent a person in charge of this type of business. After he took over, he quickly determined At several points of the explosion, four unmanned detection devices each used mechanical arms to add explosives to these locations, and then quickly evacuated a certain distance.
With the burst of dull blasting energy, the water below the sea surged and rolled wildly for a while, making several unmanned detectors unstable for a while.
However, they had already made a simple fix around the black meteorite before blasting. The energy burst out from the blast just exploded the rock wall, and the black meteorite fragments were combined by four unmanned detection devices that came back. With a tug on one piece, it was easily pulled out of the rock wall.
The four deep-diving probes began to float upward simultaneously to ensure that they could bear the weight evenly, and then began to slowly drag the meteorite fragments up from the seabed.
As the meteorite fragments gradually rose, the hearts of the scientific researchers were in their throats. They nervously observed the condition of the fragments to ensure that no accidents occurred during their movement.
There is a special deep-diving device in the sea 4,000 meters above to replace the traction rope. Other personnel on the scientific research ship are busy doing various tasks at this time. They are responsible for the status of the lifting equipment and adjustments. Regarding the orientation of the carbon nanotube rope, after the unmanned probe arrived at the predetermined location several hours later, several deep-diving devices quickly used carbon nanotubes to tie up the entire meteorite fragments.
Then the scientific research ship received the news, the crane suddenly started, and the huge black meteorite fragments were pulled up from the deep sea several kilometers away at extremely high speed.
This speed was much faster. As the crane quickly retracted, the huge black meteorite fragments were dragged out of the deep sea. When the meteorite fragments were finally dragged to the surface, everyone was stunned. It was a relief.
"Let the omnics transport the things up!"
"Don't use our people to come into close contact. Free up the warehouse space of the No. 3 ship, and transfer all personnel to the No. 2 scientific research ship. Let the No. 3 scientific research ship Just turn on the auto-cruise mode and follow us.”
“Understood!”
The people who went out carefully moved the huge meteorite that was dragged to the sea to the location of the No. 3 ship. The crane device was of no use at this time, but fortunately the helicopters on the scientific research ship could be used. The smart machines went down and tied them up again. Several helicopters hoisted huge black meteorite fragments and flew straight up from the water.
At this time, everyone had the opportunity to see what the huge black meteorite fragment looked like up close.
This thing glowed with black luster, as if it were a whole piece of black and shiny metal coal!
Ship No. 3 has quickly evacuated its personnel at this time, and the warehouse at the rear has also been blocked from above. The helicopter hoisted the meteorite fragments and placed them in the warehouse of the No. 3 scientific research ship, and then As the alarm sounded, the steel hatch above slowly closed.
The scientific researchers on the ship breathed a small sigh of relief. Next, they will transport the meteorite fragments back to Qinglong Base and begin preliminary inspection and analysis of the fragments.
They will use various tools and instruments to study this mysterious meteorite fragment and figure out its composition and characteristics. If nothing unexpected happens, this thing will most likely be a magical thing. Characteristics of alien meteorites.
Not only is it similar to photosynthetic ore, but it is at least similar to metamorphic steel.
After all, just transporting it up from the deep sea took a lot of effort!
(End of this chapter)