Chapter 3068: Spacecraft docking and expansion solution
Hearing Wu Hao's question, Zhang Jun couldn't help but nodded and looked at Yu Chengwu and Zhou Xiangming.
Indeed, Wu Hao's question was very targeted, and he also wanted to know what to do in this situation.
The Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft can carry up to sixteen people, which also means that it requires two manned spacecraft like Walker to transport the crew. If it is a traditional spacecraft, it may also need
more times.
After these two spacecrafts transport the crew to the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, it does not mean that their missions are technical. On the contrary, this is the beginning of the mission. They need to be docked with the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft.
On board the transfer spacecraft, the entire mission is guaranteed.
Even after the crew has landed on the moon, their mission has not ended. Instead, they continue to dock on the Moon Express cis-lunar transfer spacecraft until the crew members withdraw from the moon and return to Earth orbit aboard the Lunar Express cis-lunar transfer spacecraft.
, at that time, these spacecrafts will carry the crew back to the earth, and their mission will be completed only after they land safely.
Therefore, during this follow-up guarantee process, the manned spacecraft needs to dock with the Lunar Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft so that the crew can evacuate to the manned spacecraft for refuge or emergency departure at any time.
But the Moon Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft has only three docking ports on the left, right and front. The top is the exit hatch, and the bottom is a panoramic glass observation window.
The front position is reserved for the landing and return capsule, so there are only two docking ports on the right and left. But in that case, how can it meet the docking needs of two manned spacecraft and one cargo spacecraft.
Regarding that question, Zhou Xiangming smiled and shook his head and said: "Actually, those eight docking ports are completely sufficient. Because your descending lander will only reach the Lunar Slow Train when it is transferring personnel and materials.
Below the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, the entire transfer process, including the process of orbiting the Earth, will carry the landing descender, because that will increase the mass of the entire Lunar Slow-Earth transfer spacecraft assembly, and the increase is necessary.
fuel consumption, thereby increasing costs.
So when the Lunar Locomotive Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft arrives in the lunar orbit, the cargo spacecraft will temporarily detach, give up the docking position, and allow the landing descender to retreat and dock. When the entire docking is completed, the personnel transfer is completed, and the landing and descent is completed.
The vehicle will fall off and then land under the moon, or fly around the moon. The free docking port will be docked with the cargo spacecraft that will be separated later, forming the original combined structure."
Seeing Qiang Qian and Wu Hao's reactions, Zhou Xiangming said with a smile: "Have you adapted? It's still a bit unaccustomed to stay outside a relatively closed space for a long time. Even if it's your Lunar Slow Train,
The difference between the internal space of the lunar transfer spacecraft and the overall space of the space station is small, but it still gives people a relatively large impression.
Indeed, from the perspective of saving money, the method of abandoning the panoramic observation glass hanging window and adding an interface is obviously more practical.
Let's go, let's go out. Zhang Jun circled the interior space of the Lunar Slow-Earth transfer spacecraft and waved to everyone.
So the cargo spaceship was also used to increase its quality, or was it used as such?
But in that case, there would be no glass hanging window for panoramic observation. Qiang Qian showed a pity expression.
As a result, you will not have seven docking ports, and you will not be able to take a step back to meet the strong transportation demand."
Because the journey from the earth to the moon only takes about seven days, and the return may be even shorter. The supplies needed by those eighteen people cannot be loaded on the Lunar Slow Earth-moon transfer spacecraft.
Of course, that has nothing to do with the smooth air circulation. The current Lunar Slow Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft is still in the development process, and the air circulation system has not yet been turned on. It only maintains the air circulation outside through ventilation ducts. The effect is
Poor, so staying outside is either too adaptable or an abnormal reaction."
Zhou Xiangming nodded and replied: "That's the more important thing among the seven. Is there any way to solve it? Launch a node module to dock with the docking port above, so we can't add seven more at once.
Even if the topmost docking port is equipped with a panoramic observation glass hanging window, there are still seven docking ports at the rear, front, right and left available. Adding the lower right, left and rear docking ports, there is no one docking port available in total.
It is completely unable to meet the current expansion needs.
After hearing Zhou Xiangming's introduction, Zhang Jun and Wu Hao both nodded slightly. Indeed, it is indeed not common to transport eighteen people at a time, so such a structural design can fully meet the needs of use.
Immediately, everyone walked out and finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although there was a ventilation pipe placed outside, it still didn't feel closed, which was a bit unaccustomed.
So that's it. After hearing Qiang Qianyong's introduction, Zhang Jun and Qiang Qian both nodded with sincerity. In that case, they really solved the problem with their hearts.
Of course, it is possible to do it. Commercial tourism in space will definitely be done in the future. Commercial tourism on the moon will be very popular. If tourists are not willing to launch a new module, it is completely impossible to launch a new module. Anyway, the wool is under the sheep, so why bother?
But for that.
Yes, it will require an additional increase in construction costs."
Speaking of that, Qiang Qianyong said with a smile: "Actually, there is no other way. This does not mean that the cargo spacecraft cannot complete the task before completing the cargo transportation. The entire transfer process requires the participation of the cargo spacecraft.
Besides, transshipment missions that can carry eighteen people at once are not common in Earth-to-Moon transshipment missions at present and for a long period of time in the future, and the number of times they are occupied is not very small. Therefore, such an eight-pair interface design is completely practical.
Already."
Seeing Zhang Jun's targeted question, Zhou Xiangming did not hesitate, but answered very calmly with a smile.
It is possible to say that just to retain the panoramic observation glass hanging window, a new node module or a new docking dock must be launched. That is obviously too realistic.
"This must mean that the demand for transshipment tasks will be relatively strong in the future, and personnel exchanges will be relatively small. How should we solve this problem and add new node cabins?" Zhang Jun then asked.
In addition, the interior space of the Walker manned spacecraft is very considerable. Even when it is fully loaded with four people, there is still not enough space to transport materials, so it is completely unable to meet the transportation process of those materials.
"That one is also very complicated. The panoramic observation glass hanging window located above the node cabin is actually not an independent mechanism in itself. It is docked under the docking port above. The demand for transportation capacity will definitely be strong in the future, so the panoramic observation glass hanging window cannot be abandoned by then.
, you can’t even transport it directly to the moon and reuse the waste for the subsequent expansion project of the lunar scientific research station.
