Minke's black technology

Chapter 275 The sea of ​​stars
The geosynchronous orbit space station is used for maintenance work, and the super satellite is used as a communication base station.

This idea is really good, and there is no technical problem, but it is really expensive, more expensive than building a dozen international space stations at the same time!
In order to realize the global satellite Internet communication function, Musk will launch a total of 1.2 satellites into the sky to provide low-latency, high-bandwidth network broadband services for global interruption users, and the satellites must be close to the low-earth orbit of the atmosphere, only 550 meters away from the earth’s surface. [-] kilometers.

In fact, before the Starlink project was proposed, human beings have already realized satellites that provide Internet services in space. They are generally geosynchronous satellites. Their advantage is that they can be fixed in a certain area and operate in the sky. It takes 3 satellites to cover the global surface area with signals.

However, the shortcomings of synchronous satellites are also obvious, because its orbital altitude is 36000 kilometers, which is almost 50 times that of the low-earth orbit. In addition to causing a relatively long delay in communication signals, the power of the satellite antenna is also very large, and it must be large. Only satellites have sufficient energy, so satellite-related costs will be high.

First of all, the cost of launching a satellite to the sky is a large expenditure. Secondly, the satellite must be limited by the rocket's carrying capacity and cannot exceed a certain weight and volume.

Even if the Meow Star Group now has the [Earth Cannon] electromagnetic orbit launch technology, it can only reduce the launch cost, but cannot change the fact that the satellites are limited, which will inevitably affect the satellite communication capabilities, and need to launch multiple satellites to make up for it.

Secondly, the cost of operation and maintenance of the communication system will remain high. Not to mention that the space station alone may drain the profits of the Meow Star Group. After all, Mao Xiong, a big northern country, is unable to maintain the normal operation of the space station and can only let it descend. into the sea.

Therefore, when Academician Ma and Zhou Lin saw Li Maoye's plan, their first reaction was that it would cost too much money. It would be difficult for the Meow Star Group to realize it. Even if it was achieved, it would not be of much significance to a private enterprise.

Of course Li Maoye could feel the thoughts of the two, but he did not stop to explain, but continued to introduce:
"Communication satellites in the sky are like base stations on the ground. The more the number of laying, the better the coverage, and a single satellite communication broadband cable, the fewer the number of users served by each satellite, the higher the bandwidth enjoyed by users."

"If you want to solve the delay problem and bandwidth problem, you still have to have a certain number of low-earth orbit satellites to form a communication node network to assist in the transmission of communication signals. The specific method is that multiple low-earth orbit satellites surround a geosynchronous satellite. Serve a certain area, and then bridge communication between each area through synchronous satellites!"

While talking, Li Maoye drew the earth, several low-earth orbit satellites and a geostationary satellite on the whiteboard. Directly connected, and marked on it: "Laser signal!"

That is to say, the communication between satellites can use laser to achieve high-speed communication, thus avoiding the disadvantage of excessive delay of radio signals. At the same time, since the position of geostationary satellites is relatively unchanged relative to the earth, it is very close to the laser communication of low-earth orbit satellites. Easy to implement.

Musk’s Starlink project has many advantages, but there are also many disadvantages. Among them, the network of multiple satellites in the sky must solve the communication problem between satellites. Originally, laser communication technology is a very good means, but Starlink satellites have their own The speed of operation is very fast, and it is very close to the atmosphere. As long as there is a slight vibration and tremor, it will affect the stability of laser communication.

Only Li Maoye's combination method will solve the problem. Synchronous satellites are used to form the core of the area, and then every low-earth orbit satellite passing through this area can quickly find it, and then be able to connect with other low-earth orbit satellites.

If Musk's Starlink is a satellite network without a core, then Li Maoye's is a satellite network with geostationary satellites as the core, and low-Earth orbit satellites are the various port nodes of the network.

Upon hearing this, both Academician Ma and Zhou Lin understood, "Mr. Li, you are not very optimistic about the Starlink project, so you came up with this combination model?"

"Yes, Musk's Starlink not only has high maintenance costs, but also has a low fault tolerance rate. The entire network system is extremely unstable. As long as there are some problems, it will affect the safe operation of the entire network."

Li Maoye patted the content on the whiteboard and continued to introduce: "My plan is completely different. With geostationary satellites as the core center, low-earth orbit satellites can be increased or decreased at any time, and the laser communication between them It would be incredibly stable and much faster than a fiber optic cable on the ground."

Only in this way can the problem of high delay in radio wave communication between the geostationary satellite and the ground be solved, and at the same time make the whole system more secure and stable. As long as the geostationary satellite does not go wrong, the entire network will have no abnormalities.

"But what about the cost?" Zhou Lin said he still had doubts.

"I will explain how to solve the cost problem later!" Li Maoye said to be calm.

"If there is really no way to solve it, you can consider asking the country for help, or you can cooperate with other companies as you said. I remember that Aerospace Science and Technology Group is building the 'Hongyan' global satellite communication constellation system, and the Academy of Rabbit Science We also plan to jointly build a broadband satellite constellation with Modu, and other commercial aerospace companies are also ambitious to carry out their own broadband satellite programs..."

Li Maoye's explanation made the two of them vaguely see hope, especially Academician Ma could better understand the meaning of it. Of course, such a large-scale project must have the intervention of state power.

Academician Ma thought to himself: "This seems to be able to unify domestic forces?"

However, Zhou Lin thought that if this plan had the support of the state, it would definitely reduce the pressure on the group itself, and at the same time, it would be able to obtain a large amount of funds similar to the Bald Eagle's research and development of the moon landing plan. At that time, no matter whether the plan is successful or not, the Meow Star Group will not So lose money.

As for whether it can get state support, Zhou Lin thinks that there is no need to worry about this issue. As long as Li Maoye is willing to submit the plan and guarantee technical support, it will definitely pass the review of the relevant departments 100%.

After all, the current situation in the field of satellite communications is too chaotic, and there must be a strongman to end this situation.

Not only Huayao is building a similar Starlink satellite communication plan, other domestic organizations also have the same idea, but they are all based on their own needs and capabilities, so they are not as attractive as Musk's grand blueprint. human eyeball.

It seems that the blossoming of a hundred flowers in the country is very lively, but it seems a bit disorganized, and everyone's strength cannot be concentrated in one direction, so the bald eagle can be invincible all over the world with only one Musk.

Li Maoye went on to say: "In fact, we have been trying to solve the cost problem. Among them, the space electric propulsion engine that the laboratory is researching is a good technological breakthrough. Once this technology is settled, then the cost of my plan will It can be compressed to a very small extent, let me explain in detail below..."

He wrote and drew on the whiteboard while talking, and soon Academician Ma and Zhou Lin understood why the cost would not be a big problem in this plan, because Li Maoye did not plan to wait until the second phase of the project was completed before launching a global project. Satellite communication network.

"This is to use the [Earth Cannon] of the first phase of the project to launch into space, and when it reaches low-earth orbit, it will use the space electric propulsion engine to continue to fly upwards, which not only saves a lot of launch costs, but also can be launched several years in advance. The only prerequisite for the satellite project is to wait for the space electric propulsion engine to be manufactured?"

Not only Zhou Lin was shocked by this plan, but even Academician Ma was so excited that he could hardly sit still. He hurriedly asked: "Academician Li, what is the maximum thrust of the space electric propulsion engine you mentioned?"

In fact, Academician Ma is no stranger to space electric propulsion engines. A few years ago, the 801 Institute of the Sixth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation had developed the first 20-kilowatt high-power Hall thruster, and its various performance indicators had reached the international advanced level at that time.

However, such an advanced Hall thruster is not very useful, because the maximum thrust is only about 1 N. If it can be miniaturized and installed on a small satellite, it is still a good choice, but if you want to use it to propel a super large satellite or space station, then It's just an idiot talking in his sleep.

Li Maoye first calculated in his head, and quickly replied: "The space electric propulsion engine has not been manufactured yet, but according to my design, the maximum thrust should be more than 1000 N!"

The electric propulsion engine in space is not the same as the electric propulsion engine in the atmosphere, so the thrust will be smaller, but the difference will not be too much, since the UAV electric propulsion engine in the design can accelerate a 200 kg aircraft to a speed of Mach 3 , that kind of thrust is certainly not too small.

Hearing such an answer, Academician Ma couldn't sit still immediately, "Is there really 1000 cattle? If there is such a large thrust, then the original plan really needs to be revised."

Zhou Lin doesn't quite understand the difference between 1 ox and 1000 ox, but he also understands from the numerical value that this is another black technology that can definitely change many things in the world.

"Maybe this is a good time for Meow Star Group to enter the aerospace field?"

Thinking of this, Zhou Lin's heartbeat couldn't help but speed up a lot. After all, men have once dreamed of rushing out of the earth to conquer the universe. Even the Great Elder once said: "Our journey is the sea of ​​stars!"

It can be seen how inspiring this kind of dream is. From ordinary people to high-ranking rulers, they have always wanted to realize the dream of stars and seas.

Since it is a dream, it is unrealistic!

But now in Li Maoye's mouth, it seems to be an extremely simple matter, but it is convincing.

(End of this chapter)