Chapter 818 Lunar Orbital Mass Projector
Moon mining sounds like an extremely distant word.
But for China now, they already have this ability.
Although large-scale mining is not currently possible, the outpost scientific research station does have the ability to mine lunar surface mineral deposits.
Of course, the excavation here is only a scientific research and experimental development, which is still far behind the mining industry system on earth.
But the foundation is already there, and the rest will naturally not be far away.
In the conference room, everyone who had received the information quickly read through it.
As soon as they saw it, the title of the report shocked everyone.
"Conception Theory of Complementary System of Fully Automated Mineral Mining + Lunar Orbital Mass Projector"
One title, two concepts.
If fully automated mineral mining is still being accepted by everyone, after all, the development of the moon itself is their subsequent goal.
So the proposal of the lunar orbital mass projector really exceeded everyone's expectations.
Mass projectors are not a new concept. They often appear in science fiction works, such as "Journey to Venus", "From the Earth to the Moon" and so on.
This is a tool that uses electromagnetic acceleration.
Although there are differences in technical details and names, in terms of underlying principles, electromagnetic sleds, mass projectors, and electromagnetic ejections from aircraft carriers are actually the same.
It has been more than a hundred years since the mass projector was proposed, and its most well-known application is probably the electromagnetic ejection technology on aircraft carriers.
In fact, the magnetic levitation technology used by people in daily travel is similar to the essence of mass projectors.
But no one expected that Xu Chuan would propose such content at today's meeting.
Ten minutes is not a very long time, but the discussion report is not very long either, it is enough for everyone to go through briefly.
With a pinch of salt, Xu Chuan knocked on the table, focused everyone's attention, and spoke.
"You have already read the information. Do you have any thoughts?"
Weng Yunzong, director of the Institute of Aerospace Studies, was the first to ask: "I have no opinion on fully automated mineral mining, but is the lunar orbit mass projector system really necessary?"
Xu Chuan looked over, nodded and said: "Tell me what you think."
Although Weng Yunzong was transferred from the Sichuan Aerospace Research Institute, in the past few years, he has successfully controlled the Aerospace Research Institute to cooperate in the research and development of aerospace engines, first- and second-generation space shuttles, and successfully completed the launch of space shuttles. The ability of people to land on the moon has been sufficiently proven.
Weng Yunzong thought for a while and said: "The mass projector is indeed feasible in theory, and the moon is also a relatively good environment."
"But now that we have mastered the second-generation aircraft that can take off and land vertically on the moon, I don't think there will be too much shortage in terms of transport capacity. Is it really worth spending a lot of money to build a mass projector? ”
"After all, the cost of building a mass projector, from technology research and development to actual construction, is probably much greater than that of the mature second-generation machine technology."
"If we need to increase our transport capacity, I think the second-generation aircraft can be expanded. If the number can reach a fleet, it will be enough to meet our needs."
Hearing this, many people in the conference room nodded in agreement.
Indeed, with the maturity of second-generation aircraft technology, lunar transportation capacity is not a big problem for them.
Build a complete production line, and the second-generation machine can produce it like flowing water.
Xu Chuan nodded and said with a smile: "The expansion of the second-generation machine is certain, but I think it is also necessary to develop a mass projector."
After a slight pause, he glanced around the people in the conference room and then said:
"The transport capacity of the second-generation aircraft is indeed very good at present. It can carry hundreds of tons of cargo and take off from the moon. But its limit is almost here."
"The power of the aerospace engine is limited, and the structural strength of the space shuttle is also limited. It is difficult for us to continue to expand."
"A payload of hundreds of tons at a time is indeed excellent at present, but as time goes by and the development of the moon increases in the future, this capacity is far from enough."
"The mass projector does not have this limitation."
"Take the electromagnetic sled project built by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Dongshan as an example of benchmark data. It can easily propel objects above the tonnage to a speed of more than 1,030 kilometers per hour."
"And the Dongshan electromagnetic sled project still uses electromagnet sets. So, after using high-temperature superconducting materials on the lunar surface through technological improvements and greatly expanding the scale, can the tonnage be increased to ten tons? Hundred tons? The speed can be advanced to 100 tons per hour. 2000 kilometers, or even more than 3000 kilometers? ”
"Theoretically, this is completely feasible."
"Compared to the space shuttle, the mass projector can project materials more frequently, which is more convenient and more cost-effective than the space shuttle for developing mineral resources on the moon."
"Although the materials it can launch into space at one time are not much different from this capacity, its frequency is far beyond the space shuttle."
"With the passage of time and the development of the moon, the shortage of lunar resources will inevitably be a problem we need to solve."
"Taken together, I think a lunar mass projector is necessary."
In the conference room, a researcher named Yu Jingfang nodded, looked at the report in his hand and said: "From a technical point of view, the mass projector is completely achievable, at least on the moon."< br>
"I just made a simple calculation. If it were on the moon, based on the basic parameters of the lunar surface, the length of the magnetic track made of high-temperature superconducting materials instead of conventional electromagnet materials would only need to be 780 meters. The above is enough to accelerate one ton of cargo more than 1.32 kilometers per second. ”
"This speed is enough to break away from the gravitational influence of the moon, making the cargo projected into the sky become a satellite of the moon."
"Of course, if we develop resources on the moon, we will definitely need more than just accelerating a one-ton mass projector. Then its orbit and construction costs will definitely be much longer."
After a pause, he looked at Xu Chuan and continued: "But I'm afraid we have a lot of problems."
"Such as steel frame structure."
"Based on the mass of fifty tons, if we want to accelerate it to 1.32 kilometers on the moon, well, let's count two kilometers, the pressure on the overall steel frame structure will be huge."
"The current steel, even if it is specially made, may not be able to withstand such heavy and frequent tasks for a long time."
"And you also need to consider the impact of high temperatures and extremely low temperatures on the lunar surface on these structures."
“In addition, there is the issue of cost.”
"If you want to build such a mass projector, the investment required will probably be at least tens of billions, or even hundreds of billions."
"This is another super project. Can the institute resist it?"
With that said, Yu Jingfang looked at Wen Yuanhang sitting opposite and cast a questioning look.
Opposite us, Wen Yuanhang, who was participating in the meeting, smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "The exact amount of funds that can be used by the institute is confidential, but what I can say is that it will definitely not be able to come out with 100 billion." "Even if it is a share. Even after paying for it for two or three years, I still can’t get it out.”
"After all, the various projects we have on hand, large and small, are worth at least four figures. We need money everywhere, and we will definitely not be able to allocate so much funds."
Xu Chuan waved his hand and said nonchalantly: "Don't worry about funding. If the lunar mass projector project is approved, it will definitely be led by the state. We are only participating. We cannot simply rely on Xinghai Research Institute for funding."
"I'll take care of this."
"The key now is to discuss feasibility and related economic effects, as well as scientific research value and added value."
In the conference room, the discussion resumed.
Regarding today's meeting, although Xu Chuan said it was about discussing the feasibility, for those sitting here, the discussion was more about its problems and solutions.
After all, for the person sitting in the first place, if he has the intention, at least in the country, there is probably nothing he can't do.
And the lunar mining + mass projector he proposed is likely to be the next super project.
Time passed little by little, and by around 11 o'clock in the morning, this small meeting had been going on for more than an hour.
The discussion was almost over. Just when Xu Chuan was about to announce the adjournment of the meeting, a scientific researcher raised his hand.
"Well, I still have a question."
Xu Chuan looked over and gestured: "Please speak."
"If we decide to build a mass projector on the moon, we may need a 'port' to receive the cargo that the mass projector will launch into the sky."
"And this port is best fixed and matched with the lunar orbital mass projector."
"After all, using a space shuttle to receive cargo would be too cost-effective."
Hearing this, Xu Chuan nodded and said: "That's right, a transfer station is needed to receive the goods."
After thinking for a while, he looked at Weng Yunzong and said, "Director Weng, if I remember correctly, the Institute of Aerospace Science and Technology is cooperating with the Aerospace Science and Technology Institute on the construction plan of the lunar space station, right?"
The lunar space station is a large-scale project led by aerospace technology. Like the Earth space station, it is mainly used for scientific research, space experiments, and development of space resources.
However, currently, the only space agency capable of sending supplies to the moon on a large scale is the Xinghai Research Institute.
Therefore, if Aerospace Science and Technology wants to build a lunar space station, they cannot avoid it.
Weng Yunzong looked over, thought for a moment and asked, "Do you want to use their lunar space station as a transfer station?"
Xu Chuan nodded and said: "Well, equipment like the space station itself has the ability to transfer cargo. Since they already have related projects, we don't need to establish another one."
"Go and communicate with Aerospace Science and Technology to see if it's feasible."
Weng Yunzong nodded and said: "This is no problem."
"Okay, let's end today's meeting here."
"Those questions just discussed at the meeting, whoever raised them will contact the companies in the relevant industries to communicate and resolve them."
"The Lunar Orbital Mass Projector Project is officially established."
After the meeting was dismissed, Xu Chuan walked out of the conference room first.
When he came to his office, he searched in the drawer and found that he hadn't written a letter for a long time. All the stationery he used when he wrote the last letter was taken to the villa.
Since he couldn't find the letter paper, he didn't bother to ask his assistant for it. He just took out his notebook from the drawer and turned to an unused page.
In his opinion, what is important is the content inside the letter. As for the material of the letter paper, whether it is ordinary paper or letter paper, it does not matter.
"Dear"
"Hello, with the development of the times and the rapid breakthroughs in aerospace technology, space exploration and development has become one of the most important fields in the current era."
"It is foreseeable that space will undoubtedly be our future and the future of mankind."
"Among them, the development of extraterrestrial resources is undoubtedly the focus of space development. When the Yuehuatai Outpost Scientific Research Base is established, our development of the moon will soon enter the next stage."
"For us, the resources on the lunar surface are equally valuable, whether it is the scarce helium-3 on the earth or the abundant resources such as titanium, aluminum, iron, lithium, rare earth elements, etc."
"."
"The construction of the lunar orbital mass projector can not only significantly reduce our aerospace costs, but is also of great significance in supporting the sustained and rapid development of my country's large-mass, high-speed advanced equipment and high-speed scientific and technological research."
"Theoretically, the moon is the most suitable planet for building a lunar orbital mass projector."
"First of all, the moon's low gravity brings lower escape velocity and lunar orbiting velocity. As long as the electromagnetic sled pushes the spacecraft to Mach 3.88, it can become a lunar satellite, and if it pushes to Mach 7, it can escape from the moon."
"Coupled with the vacuum environment on the moon's surface, there is no resistance from the atmosphere. This means that we can use the mass projector to launch the minerals or materials we mine on the moon to the Earth-moon transfer orbit at a very low cost. Then it moves to the earth.”
"Xinghai Research Institute has set up a research team to design this lunar orbital mass projector."
"From a theoretical and technical perspective, it is completely feasible"
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Behind the desk, as time passed, a letter of several thousand words was completed.
When the last period came to an end, Xu Chuan let out a breath of turbid air in his chest, picked up the manuscript paper and checked it carefully.
After confirming that there were no problems, he simply tore the papers filled with content from the notebook, folded them, and put them into the envelopes he had prepared.
He picked up his cell phone from the table and sent a message to Zheng Hai. After a while, the other party rushed over.
"Professor, are you looking for me?"
Xu Chuan nodded and said with a smile: "Well, there is a letter here, please help me deliver it."
"Same as usual, send it to the small island in the North Sea on Chang'an Street. You know who to give it to."
Zheng Hai nodded, took the envelope and carefully put it into his arms, and asked casually: "Is there anything else? Professor."
"It's gone for now, let's go."
(End of chapter)