Chapter 2928: The Current Situation of the Moon Express Earth-Moon Transfer Spacecraft
The node module on the Moon Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft is different from the node module on the space station. It is not a traditional spherical structure, but a long tube structure that is biased towards the West. It has three docking ports, respectively.
Located at the front and both sides of the middle.
The port at the front is used to dock the landing ascender, while the ports on both sides are used to dock the manned spacecraft and cargo spacecraft.
In addition, there is a large-sized exit hatch on the node module, which can be used for walking out of the warehouse, inspecting and maintaining the entire Lunar Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft, and can also be used to transport and transfer some large-sized cargo.
The middle section is the crew cabin, which is relatively thick, with a diameter of eight meters. It is considered the thickest section among all spacecrafts.
As the name suggests, the crew cabin is used to hold people. Of course, it is also used to transport supplies, but it is first used to hold people. Therefore, the crew cabin can be regarded as a large dormitory with complete living facilities. In addition to a surrounding area similar to
Outside the roulette-structured sleeping compartment inside the revolver, there are also facilities such as a toilet and a small kitchen.
After all, people will have to live there for four or five days, so the living environment must be better.
At the end is the resource propulsion warehouse, which in addition to providing various required resources for the entire Lunar Express, is also responsible for the power part of the entire spacecraft. In essence, it is actually a propulsion rocket that can work multiple times for a long time.
Although it seems relatively simple, this resource propulsion module is responsible for the entire Lunar Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft orbiting back and forth between the Earth and the Moon.
And because the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft has been operating between the Earth and the Moon for a long time, the requirements for this resource propulsion module are very high.
Looking at the photos on the big screen, Wu Hao couldn't help but smile, and then asked Yu Chengwu: "The development work is progressing very quickly. When is the first flight expected?"
Hearing Wu Hao's inquiry, Yu Chengwu couldn't help but smile bitterly, then shook his head at Wu Hao and said: "I really can't guarantee this to you now, because it depends on the specific development progress and a series of subsequent tests.
Because the Moon Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft works in a harsh environment, we have very high technical requirements for it.
Moreover, this project is very bold and can be said to be groundbreaking. There is no experience to follow, so it is very difficult. To be honest, we don't have much confidence.
But if everything goes well, we expect to make the first flight next winter, or the summer after next.
At that time, we will launch the Lunar Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, and then let it switch back and forth in the Earth-Moon orbit to verify its reliability. During this period, we will also conduct multiple docking experiments, including our connection with the manned spacecraft in Earth orbit.
The docking and separation of the spacecraft, as well as the docking and separation of the landing ascender in lunar orbit.
The whole process may last for several months or even years, and it cannot be delivered until the Lunar Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft, including the entire system, is operating normally without any problems."
So complicated! After hearing Yu Chengwu’s introduction, Zhang Jun couldn’t help but frowned.
He originally thought that it would be ready for manned use on the first flight, but he did not expect that it would take months or even years of verification. It seems that he wanted to keep it simple.
Seeing Zhang Jun frowning, Zhou Xiangming quickly explained: "This is mainly because there is no precedent, let alone reference. We have to fumble for everything. Therefore, for the sake of personnel safety, we must fully verify the security of the entire system before we dare to invest with confidence.
Practical for carrying people.”
Seeing Zhang Jun's brows slightly relaxed, Zhou Xiangming continued: "There are 380,000 kilometers between the earth and the moon. This Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft is equivalent to a bridge, or a ferry, between the two.
It is not a one-time event, but a long-term one, which places very strict requirements on the overall reliability of the Moon Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft.
Otherwise, if something goes wrong during flight, it will be catastrophic.
In addition, the Moon Express does not go straight between the earth and the moon. It needs to constantly change different orbits.
Let us briefly introduce the process of transporting a group of astronauts on the earth to the lunar scientific research station to facilitate the understanding of leaders.
First, we need to give instructions to the Lunar Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft that is orbiting the Earth to continuously lower its orbital altitude in order to prepare for the next docking with the manned spacecraft.
Immediately, we will start to have these astronauts board the manned spacecraft, and then launch into space to dock with the lowered orbit of the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft. These astronauts will be transferred to the Moon Express spacecraft, and then the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft will
The engine at the tail of the resource propulsion module on the spacecraft ignited and began to push the Lunar Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft to ascend the orbit and gradually transfer to the Earth-Moon transfer orbit.
And after several orbit modifications during this transfer process, it finally arrived at the moon. At this time, it was necessary to brake and slow down to allow the Lunar Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft to enter the lunar orbit and then fly around the moon.
Then gradually lower the orbit. At this time, the astronauts in the Moon Express need to transfer to the landing ascender and wait for an opportunity to release the landing ascender for lunar landing.
If the landing ascender is not docked, it needs to be docked with the landing and other instruments ascending from the moon first, and then the personnel transfer is carried out. It is the same as the lunar landing and return journey.
Because the Moon Express Earth-to-Moon transfer spacecraft needs to constantly change orbits, it consumes a lot of fuel. Therefore, before each mission, we need to launch a cargo spacecraft or a special fuel spacecraft to transport the Moon Express to the Earth and the Moon.
The spacecraft carries out material replenishment and fuel refueling.
Only in this way can the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft be able to maintain its navigation in space."
In other words, we have to launch two spacecrafts for one moon landing mission. Zhang Jun said.
Yes. Zhou Xiangming nodded.
Zhang Jun thought for a moment, then turned to Wu Hao and said: "Looking at it this way, this is much more complicated than the spacecraft that directly lands on the moon."
Wu Hao smiled and nodded when he heard this: "From the perspective of the task, it is indeed much complicated."
Hearing what Wu Hao said, Zhou Xiangming on the side couldn't help but said: "Although our entire task process is relatively complicated, it can save costs greatly.
Although those lunar landing spacecrafts seem relatively simple and straightforward, the cost is too high, and nothing is lost after one launch. Ours can basically be reused, and the cost can be controlled to a relatively low range, which is suitable for