Chapter 3821 Earth-Moon Transfer System Project Progress
Wu Hao pressed his hand and signaled everyone to quiet down, and then continued: "It seems that the research station is progressing smoothly, everyone has worked hard. However, the research station alone is not enough, and other supporting facilities and equipment must also keep up with the progress.
."
At this point, Wu Hao looked at Yu Chengwu and asked: "What stage is our research and development of the lunar transport system at?"
The Earth-to-Moon transfer system that Wu Hao mentioned is not the Earth-to-Moon transfer cargo spacecraft that is currently used to transport materials and cargo to the Lunar Zhihai lunar surface scientific research station, but is used for long-term operations between the Earth and the Moon in the future.
Transportation and transfer system of personnel and materials.
The entire Earth-to-Moon transfer system is very complex. It is divided into three parts according to the stages, or three major systems. They are the manned spacecraft system for launching and landing on the Earth, and the Earth-to-Moon transfer spacecraft used to shuttle back and forth between the Earth and the Moon.
, also known as Moon Express.
There is also the landing ascender used for the landing and ascent stages of the moon, also called a lunar landing spacecraft.
These three major parts are both independently operating systems and a whole. Because if you want to transport people or material equipment to the moon or transport materials and mineral resources on the moon back to the earth, these three major systems must cooperate closely.
Just take over and run.
To expand, if the Zhihai Lunar Surface Scientific Research Station wants to transport people or materials to the moon, it must first use a manned spacecraft or cargo spacecraft to transport people or goods to space, and transfer them to the Earth-Moon waiting in space.
The spacecraft, that is, the Lunar Express docks, and then the Lunar Express carries personnel and materials to the moon, and then docks with the lunar landing spacecraft or landing ascender that lifts off the moon. The personnel and materials are transferred to the landing ascender, and then handed over
Landing on the moon by landing ascender.
The same is true if you want to return to the earth from the moon.
Different from traditional lunar landing spacecraft and lunar landing methods, although the entire Earth-moon transfer system is very complex, it has the advantage of being reusable, whether it is the front manned spacecraft, the Earth-moon transfer spacecraft, or the landing ascender.
, can be reused many times over a long period of time.
In this way, we can not only maintain a close connection with the moon and establish a transportation bridge between the earth and the moon, but also reduce the cost to the greatest extent, reducing the cost of landing on the moon or the return cost per kilogram to the current cost of landing on the moon.
One-fifth or even one-tenth of the cost. And as the running time of this system continues to extend, its transportation costs will get even lower.
This can lay the foundation for Wu Hao and others to conduct large-scale exploration, development and utilization, and even colonize the moon and permanently settle on the moon.
Wu Hao's words echoed in the conference room, and every pair of eyes shone with longing and expectation for the future. He looked at Yu Chengwu, and in his eyes were expectations for the results of the research and development of the lunar transport system, but also determination for unknown challenges.
Yu Chengwu stood up, with a confident and proud smile on his face, but there was a hint of unnoticeable worry hidden behind that smile.
"Mr. Wu, the research and development of the lunar transport system is progressing smoothly. The research and development of the three major systems has been basically completed. We are currently in a series of intense testing stages." He said slowly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, as if he was preparing for the test.
Accompaniment to the words that follow.
Wu Hao nodded slightly, a hint of surprise and expectation flashed in his eyes: "Oh? The progress is faster than I expected. Tell me, how is the current testing situation?"
Yu Chengwu frowned slightly, and the pride on his face was replaced by a trace of worry: "Generally speaking, all functions have basically reached the expected standards.
In tests simulating launch and landing on Earth, the manned spacecraft system has a high success rate and all parameters are within the normal range.
The Earth-to-Moon transfer spacecraft, also known as Moon Express, performed well in terms of speed and orbit control in tests simulating the shuttle between the Earth and the Moon.
There is also the landing ascender, which has also successfully completed multiple tests in tests simulating the landing and ascent stages of the moon."
"Sounds very good, then why are you still frowning? Are you encountering some problem?" Wu Hao was keenly aware of Yu Chengwu's strangeness.
Yu Chengwu sighed and said: "There are indeed many problems. The first is the docking link between the manned spacecraft and the Earth-to-Moon transfer spacecraft. Although most of the time the docking can be successful, occasionally there will be docking deviations, resulting in prolonged docking time, and even a few
Almost failed once.
This is absolutely not allowed in actual missions. Once docking fails, the consequences will be disastrous."
Wu Hao's face became solemn. He tapped the table gently, and after thinking for a moment, he asked: "Do you know what caused the docking deviation?"
"The preliminary analysis is that due to the influence of complex factors in the space environment, such as the impact of tiny meteoroids, interference from space debris, and subtle changes in the gravitational field of the Earth and the Moon, these factors will affect the attitude and orbit of the spacecraft, resulting in deviations in the docking
." Yu Chengwu explained.
"Well, the space environment is indeed complex and changeable. This is a thorny issue. What about the docking situation between the Earth-to-Moon transfer spacecraft and the landing ascender?" Wu Hao continued to ask.
"There are also problems in this docking link. The environment on the lunar surface is more complex than we imagined. The microgravity environment of the moon, the interference of lunar dust and the uncertainty of the terrain have brought great difficulties to the precise docking of the landing ascender.
.
During the test, we found that when the landing ascender approached the Lunar Express, it was easily affected by lunar dust, causing the sensor to malfunction, making it impossible to accurately judge the position and distance, and the docking success rate was greatly reduced." Yu Chengwu said with a helpless look.
"There is also the energy issue. The operation of the entire Earth-to-Moon transfer system consumes a lot of energy. Although we have adopted an advanced comprehensive propulsion system, the energy supply problem still faces challenges during long-term operation." Yu Chengwu added
.
Wu Hao listened quietly, frowning. These issues are indeed critical. An error in any link may lead to the failure of the entire earth-moon transport system.
He took a deep breath and said: "These problems must be solved as soon as possible. For the problem of docking deviation, we need to increase the monitoring and analysis of the space environment, develop a more advanced docking navigation system, and improve the accuracy and reliability of docking."
Regarding the problem of lunar dust interference, we need to find ways to improve the sensors of the landing ascender and add protective measures to reduce the impact of lunar dust on the sensors.
For energy issues, organize scientific research teams to conduct special research to find new energy solutions or optimize existing energy systems."
"Okay, Mr. Wu, we will go all out. However, these tasks require time and a lot of resource investment, and there are also certain technical risks." Yu Chengwu said.
"I know, but we have no retreat. Lunar exploration and development is our stated goal, and this Earth-moon transportation system is the key to achieving this goal.
No matter how big the difficulties are, we must overcome them. I will coordinate the company's resources and fully support your work." Wu Hao said firmly.
After hearing Wu Hao's words, the conference room suddenly fell into silence, and everyone could feel the heavy pressure.