Chapter 559: Scientific research takes the blame again?
The progress of the meeting will not be suspended with Xu Chuan's research, and the planning of the outer space space carrier is still undergoing intense discussions.
It must be said that this is a plan with considerable investment risks and returns.
At least before there is a breakthrough in aerospace technology, it will undoubtedly be quite difficult to build such a giant mothership in outer space. Not only the financial investment, but also some technical problems also need to be solved in the process.
For example, some issues in defense.
Although the planned altitude of the mothership is at least 400 kilometers in low-Earth orbit, and few weapons can attack equipment at this altitude, defense does need to be considered.
This is not only a consideration for offensive weapons, but also protection against some ‘impurities’ that may exist in outer space itself.
Space is not a pure vacuum. Although the low-Earth orbit is relatively "empty", it is also filled with all kinds of dust, tiny meteorites, space junk and other garbage.
In ultra-high-speed orbits, these impurities and garbage are a great hidden danger to the safety of the space carrier.
Just like the Webb Telescope, it was hit by a micrometeor in outer space not long after its launch. At least one mirror part suffered irreparable damage and needed to be repaired or replaced.
For the space carrier, the probability of encountering fine garbage is much greater than that of normal satellites or space stations, because it often needs to change orbit to perform various tasks.
Running on non-fixed orbits is naturally more dangerous.
These are troubles and problems that need to be solved.
But if it can really be done, such an aerospace carrier will be enough to form a profound strategic deterrent to the whole world.
This is something that no amount of nuclear weapons, no matter how many aircraft carriers, no amount of large aircraft can bring it.
Based on this alone, if it were the United States, it would probably pass this plan without hesitation.
After all, they have no clue... Well, after all, in the declining cycle, if there is a plan that can restore the glory of the United States, they don't care about the international situation.
...
We discussed the planning of the outer space space carrier for a long time.
The old man sitting at the head of the conference table listened to many opinions and exchanges and then gently knocked on the table, interrupting everyone's debate.
"I agree with Commissioner Song's point of view. Strategic planning of outer space weapons has become a necessary military force in today's era."
"We are not the only ones doing this, many countries are also developing related plans. So we must keep up. Even if we do not develop outer space weapons for non-defense purposes, we must also develop outer space defense weapons.
We will follow up on this to ensure the security of the country.”
"Of course, we also need to consider and abide by relevant international situations and international treaties."
After a pause, the old man smiled and said: "The purpose of the space carrier is not necessarily weapons and equipment. It can also be used for scientific research, material transportation, etc."
"Taking into account the changes in the international situation, I feel that if it is necessary to disclose this plan in the future, using the name of scientific research or transportation can reduce international sensitivity to a greater extent."
This statement was immediately recognized by almost all participants present.
Only Xu Chuan, who was awakened by the knock on the table and came to his senses, twitched the corner of his mouth.
Is scientific research taking the blame again?
Well, this isn't the first time anyway.
They are not the only ones doing other things in the name of scientific research.
In particular, there is a certain harsh island country that massacres whales and other animals in the ocean in the name of scientific research, but in fact it is just to satisfy its own appetite.
In comparison, they are nothing at all. After all, strategic deterrence is just a deterrent, not a real war.
After receiving everyone's support, the old man continued: "In addition, regarding the development and prospects of aerospace technology, we have underestimated its importance before. It should not only be used as a strategic planning goal to contain opponents, but also to modernize
One of the key points of the future of war."
"In addition, the development of aerospace science and technology is also a very valuable scientific research work. Even if it does not have the above-mentioned focus, we should consider more for the next generation and the future, rather than just focusing on immediate development and interests."
"If you have any doubts about this point, you can read pages 41 to 45 of the meeting report."
Hearing this, Xu Chuan flipped through the meeting report with some curiosity.
Compared with others, he was a participant who was brought in temporarily. Most of the other participants had read the meeting report in advance, but he had not.
In the conference report, the first things listed were the abundant helium-3 resources on the moon and the second-generation deuterium-helium-3 controlled nuclear fusion technology being researched by the Xinghai Research Institute.
Some of his previous speeches on scientific research planning at Xinghai Research Institute were also included in this report, which should have been compiled and reported by Wen Yuanhang.
The second-generation deuterium-helium three-controllable nuclear fusion has greater advantages than the first-generation deuterium-tritium fusion, and it also has the advantage of miniaturization.
Not only that, the tritium element used for deuterium-tritium fusion is extremely rare on the earth, and can only be recycled through tritium self-sustainment.
The resources of lithium used in tritium multiplication are also limited on earth, and the world's proven lithium resource reserves are less than 40 million tons.
Although it is not ruled out that there are lithium mines in unexplored underground areas, the demand for lithium resources is not limited to controllable nuclear fusion.
Various uses such as batteries, alloys, electronic products, polymer materials, catalysts, etc. all require lithium, and compared with the field of controlled nuclear fusion, these industries are the largest consumers of lithium.
It is foreseeable that with the development of time, lithium resources will undoubtedly become more tense.
More importantly, the energy utilization efficiency of second-generation fusion technology is more than an order of magnitude higher than that of first-generation fusion technology.
After all, most of the energy produced by deuterium-tritium fusion is in high-energy neutrons. Although part of it can be recovered through the tritium self-sustaining system, most of it is actually wasted.
If the 'available' energy level produced by the first generation of deuterium and tritium fusion is one, then the available energy level of the second generation of deuterium and helium three controlled nuclear fusion can reach more than ten.
This is more valuable and important whether it is for traditional power generation, aerospace activities, or other aspects of research.
The only flaw is the preciousness of helium-3 resources.
Due to the existence of the atmosphere on the earth, helium-3 from the sun cannot be deposited, but it is different on the moon. When the solar wind "blows" the moon, the helium-3 in the wind is deposited on the moon's surface. After a long period of accumulation, the moon
The reserves of helium-3 are extremely amazing and are 'relatively easy' to mine.
This is undoubtedly a huge treasure for second-generation deuterium-helium three-controllable nuclear fusion technology.
The only problem is that developing this huge treasure requires superb aerospace technology.
Just as the great elder said, they can't just focus on the immediate development and interests, but should think more about the next generation and the future.
...
PS: Second update, please give me monthly tickets.