Great Country Academician

Moon mining sounds like an extremely distant word.

But for China now, they already have this ability.

Although large-scale mining is not currently possible, the outpost scientific research station does have the ability to mine lunar surface mineral deposits.

Of course, the excavation here is only a scientific research and experimental development, which is still far behind the mining industry system on earth.

But the foundation is already there, and the rest will naturally not be far away.

In the conference room, everyone who had received the information quickly read through it.

As soon as they saw it, the title of the report shocked everyone.

"Conception Theory of Complementary System of Fully Automated Mineral Mining + Lunar Orbital Mass Projector"

One title, two concepts.

If fully automated mineral mining is still being accepted by everyone, after all, the development of the moon itself is their subsequent goal.

So the proposal of the lunar orbital mass projector really exceeded everyone's expectations.

Mass projectors are not a new concept. They often appear in science fiction works, such as "Journey to Venus", "From the Earth to the Moon" and so on.

This is a tool that uses electromagnetic acceleration.

Although there are differences in technical details and names, in terms of underlying principles, electromagnetic sleds, mass projectors, and electromagnetic ejections from aircraft carriers are actually the same.

It has been more than a hundred years since the mass projector was proposed, and its most well-known application is probably the electromagnetic ejection technology on aircraft carriers.

In fact, the magnetic levitation technology used by people in daily travel is similar to the essence of mass projectors.

But no one expected that Xu Chuan would propose such content at today's meeting.

Ten minutes is not a very long time, but the discussion report is not very long either, it is enough for everyone to go through briefly.

With a pinch of salt, Xu Chuan knocked on the table, focused everyone's attention, and spoke.

"You have already read the information. Do you have any thoughts?"

Weng Yunzong, director of the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, was the first to ask: "I have no opinion on fully automated mineral mining, but is the lunar orbit mass projector system really necessary?"

Xu Chuan looked over, nodded and said, "Tell me what you think."

Although Weng Yunzong was transferred from the Sichuan Aerospace Research Institute, in the past few years, he has successfully controlled the Aerospace Research Institute to cooperate in the research and development of aerospace engines, first- and second-generation space shuttles, and also successfully completed the launch of space shuttles. The ability of people to land on the moon has been sufficiently proven.

Weng Yunzong thought for a while and said: "The mass projector is indeed feasible in theory, and the moon is also a relatively good environment."

"But now that we have mastered the second-generation aircraft that can take off and land vertically on the moon, I don't think there will be too much shortage in terms of transport capacity. Is it really worth spending a lot of money to build a mass projector? "

"After all, the cost of building a mass projector, from technology research and development to actual construction, is probably much greater than that of the mature second-generation machine technology."

"If we need to increase our transportation capacity, I think the second-generation aircraft can be expanded. If the number can reach a fleet, it will be enough to meet our needs."

Hearing this, many people in the conference room nodded in agreement.

Indeed, with the maturity of second-generation aircraft technology, lunar transportation capacity is not a big problem for them.

Build a complete production line, and the second-generation machine can produce it like flowing water.

Xu Chuan nodded and said with a smile: "The expansion of the second-generation machine is certain, but I think it is also necessary to develop a mass projector."

After a slight pause, he glanced around the people in the conference room and continued:

"The transport capacity of the second-generation aircraft is indeed very good at present. It can carry hundreds of tons of cargo and take off from the moon. But its limit is almost here."

"The power of the aerospace engine is limited, and the structural strength of the space shuttle is also limited. It is difficult for us to continue to expand."

"A payload of hundreds of tons at a time is indeed excellent at present, but as time goes by and the development of the moon increases in the future, this capacity will be far from enough."

"And mass projectors don't have that limitation."

"Take the electromagnetic sled project built by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Dongshan as an example. It can easily propel objects above the ton level to speeds of more than 1,030 kilometers per hour."

"And the Dongshan electromagnetic sled project still uses electromagnet sets. So, after using high-temperature superconducting materials on the lunar surface through technological improvements and greatly expanding the scale, can the tonnage be increased to ten tons? Hundred tons? The speed can be advanced to 100 tons per hour. 2,000 kilometers, or even more than 3,000 kilometers?”

"Theoretically, this is entirely possible."

"Compared to the space shuttle, the mass projector can project materials more frequently, which is more convenient and more cost-effective than the space shuttle for developing mineral resources on the moon."

"Although the amount of materials it can launch into space at one time is not much different from this capacity, its frequency is far beyond the capabilities of the space shuttle."

"With the passage of time and the development of the moon, the shortage of lunar resources will inevitably be a problem we need to solve."

"Taken together, I think a lunar mass projector is necessary."

In the conference room, a researcher named Yu Jingfang nodded, looked at the report in his hand and said: "From a technical point of view, the mass projector is completely feasible, at least on the moon."

"I just did a simple calculation. If it is on the moon, based on the basic parameters of the lunar surface, the magnetic track made of high-temperature superconducting materials instead of conventional electromagnet materials, as long as the length reaches more than 780 meters, it is enough to accelerate one ton of cargo by more than 1.32 kilometers per second."

"This speed is enough to escape the influence of the gravity of the lunar surface, making the cargo projected into the sky a satellite of the moon."

"Of course, if we develop the resources on the moon, we definitely need more than just a mass projector that accelerates one ton. Then its orbit and construction cost will definitely be much longer."

Pause After a moment, he looked at Xu Chuan and continued, "But I'm afraid we have a lot of problems."

"For example, the steel frame structure."

"Based on the mass of 50 tons, if it is to be accelerated to 1.32 kilometers on the moon, well, let's count it as two kilometers, the pressure on the overall steel frame structure is huge."

"The current steel, even if it is specially made, may not be able to withstand such a heavy and frequent mission for a long time."

"And we also need to consider the impact of high temperature and extremely low temperature on the lunar surface on these structures."

"In addition, there is the cost issue."

"If you want to build such a mass projector, the investment will probably be at least tens of billions, or even hundreds of billions."

"This is another super project. Can the institute withstand it?"

As he said, Yu Jingfang looked at Wen Yuanhang, who was sitting opposite him, and cast an inquiring look.

Across from him, Wen Yuanhang, who was attending the meeting, smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "The exact amount of funds that the institute can mobilize is confidential, but I can say that we definitely can't get 100 billion."

"Even if it is divided into two or three years, it can't be taken out."

"After all, we have at least four-digit projects of all sizes on hand, and all places need money. We definitely can't draw out so much funds."

Xu Chuan waved his hand and said indifferently, "Don't worry about the funds. If the lunar mass projector is established, it will definitely be led by the country. We are just participating. It is impossible to rely solely on the Xinghai Research Institute for funds."

"I'll take care of this."

"The key now is to discuss feasibility and related economic effects, as well as scientific research value and added value."

In the conference room, the discussion started again.

For today's meeting, although Xu Chuan said that he was discussing feasibility, for those sitting here, they were more discussing its difficulties and solutions.

After all, for the person sitting in the first seat, if he has the intention, at least in China, there is probably nothing he can't do.

The lunar mining + mass projector he proposed is likely to be the next super project.

Time passed little by little, and around eleven o'clock in the morning, this small meeting had been going on for more than an hour.

The discussion was almost over, and just as Xu Chuan was about to announce the adjournment of the meeting, a researcher raised his hand.

"Well, I have another question."

Xu Chuan looked over and gestured, "Please speak."

"If we are sure to build a mass projector on the moon, we may need a 'port' to receive the cargo launched by the mass projector."

"And this port is best fixed and matched with the lunar orbit mass projector."

"After all, using a space shuttle to receive cargo is too cost-effective."

Hearing this, Xu Chuan nodded and said, "That's right, the cargo needs a transfer station."

Thinking for a while, he looked at Weng Yunzong and said, "Director Weng, if I remember correctly, the Aerospace Research Institute is cooperating with Aerospace Science and Technology to carry out the construction plan of the lunar space station, right?"

The lunar space station is a large-scale project led by Aerospace Science and Technology. Like the Earth Space Station, it is mainly used for scientific research, space experiments, and the development of space resources.

However, at present, the only aerospace agency that has the ability to send materials to the moon on a large scale is the Xinghai Research Institute.

So if Aerospace Science and Technology wants to build a lunar space station, they naturally cannot avoid them.

Weng Yunzong looked over, thought for a while and asked: "Do you want to use their lunar space station as a transfer station?"

Xu Chuan nodded and said: "Well, the space station itself has the ability to transfer goods. Since they already have related projects, there is no need for us to set up a project again."

"You go and communicate with Aerospace Science and Technology to see if it is feasible."

Weng Yunzong nodded and said: "That's no problem."

"Okay, then today's meeting will end here."

"Whoever raised the questions just discussed in the meeting will contact the companies in the relevant industry to communicate and solve them."

"The lunar orbit mass projector project has been officially launched."

After the meeting was dismissed, Xu Chuan walked out of the meeting room first.

When he came to his office, he looked in the drawer and found that he hadn't written a letter for a long time. The letter paper he used last time was taken to the villa.

Not finding the letter paper, he was too lazy to ask his assistant for it. He directly took out his notebook from the drawer and turned to a page that he hadn't used.

In his opinion, what is important is the content of the letter. As for the material of the letter paper, whether it is ordinary paper or letter paper, it is not important.

"Dear"

"Hello, with the development of the times and the rapid breakthrough of aerospace technology, space exploration and development has become one of the most important fields in the current era."

"It is foreseeable that space will undoubtedly be our future and the future of mankind."

"Among them, the development of extraterrestrial resources is undoubtedly the focus of space development. When the Yuehuatai Qianshou scientific research base is established, our development of the moon will also enter the next stage."

"For us, the resources on the moon are also precious, whether it is the scarce helium-3 on the earth, or the rich titanium, aluminum, iron, lithium, rare earth elements and other resources"

"."

".The construction of the lunar orbital mass projector can not only greatly reduce our aerospace costs, but also support the continuous and rapid development of my country's large-scale high-speed advanced equipment and high-speed scientific and technological research. It is of great significance. righteousness.

"In theory, the moon is the most suitable planet for building a lunar orbit mass projector."

"First of all, the low gravity of the moon brings a lower escape velocity and orbiting speed. As long as the electromagnetic sled pushes the spacecraft to Mach 3.88, it can become a lunar satellite, and if it is pushed to Mach 7, it can escape from the moon."

"In addition, the vacuum environment on the surface of the moon has no resistance from the atmosphere. This means that we can use the mass projector to launch the minerals or materials we have mined on the moon into the Earth-Moon transfer orbit at a very low cost. Then it will be transported to the earth."

"Xinghai Research Institute has established a research team to design this lunar orbit mass projector."

"From a theoretical and technical point of view, it is completely feasible."

"."

Behind the desk, as time passed, a letter of thousands of words was completed.

When the last period fell, Xu Chuan exhaled the turbid air in his chest, picked up the manuscript paper and checked it carefully.

After confirming that there were no problems, he simply tore off the papers filled with content from his notebook, folded them, and put them into the envelope he had prepared.

He picked up his phone from the table and sent a message to Zheng Hai. Soon, the other party rushed over.

"Professor, are you looking for me?"

Xu Chuan nodded and smiled, "Well, there is a letter here that I need you to help me deliver."

"As usual, send it to the small island in the North Sea of ​​Chang'an Street. You know who it is for."

Zheng Hai nodded, took the envelope and carefully put it in his arms, and asked casually, "Anything else, Professor?"

"Nothing for now, go ahead."