Vol 2 Chapter 2088: Stepped Moon Landing Program

"Therefore, we believe that this step-by-step approach to the moon landing is more in line with our needs.
If the moon landing program is divided into three steps, so far, we have solved this part of the technology to successfully send people to space. Our Walker manned spacecraft has been able to successfully send people into space.
Then what we are going to do next is the second part and the third part, and this earth-moon transfer spacecraft is mainly prepared for the second part of the earth-moon transfer transportation.
The so-called Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft should not be regarded as a spacecraft, but as a space station. It's just that the orbit of this space station is rather special, it sails between the earth and the moon.
With the help of the gravitational force of the Earth and the Moon, the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft orbits in an '8' shape. It constantly reciprocates between the earth and the moon, and undertakes the transfer of personnel and materials.
Why is it so similar to the core module of the space station, mainly because their functions are basically similar, but their uses are different.
"Everyone, please take a look!" Said Zhou Xiangming, introducing the model of the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft in front of everyone, and said: "Like the core module of the space station, this Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft is also divided into large column sections and small column sections. The node cabin consists of three parts.
The general structure of this connection is the same, but the details are different. For example, the large column section of our Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft is relatively long, while the small column section is relatively short, and the proportions of the two are different. .
Secondly, there are a total of four solar panels on this Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, the main purpose of which is to power the spacecraft.
A large part of the electricity will be used for the high-power Hall ion thrusters at the tail of the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft. The main power for the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft to maintain orbit will rely on these Hall ion thrusters in the future.
In addition to this, there are common fuel thrusters that will be used for tasks such as orbital changes and on-orbit maneuvers.
Although this Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft is only responsible for material and personnel transfer tasks, we still reserve an exit hatch on its node module at the same position as the space station core module. Its main purpose will be to conduct some exposure experiments in the deep space of the Earth and the Moon, as well as the external maintenance tasks of the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, thereby extending its on-orbit service life.
Similarly, in order to assist in unloading and maintenance tasks, as well as on-orbit docking tasks, we also specially equipped a seven-meter robotic arm. This robotic arm also has the ability to crawl on the surface of the spacecraft. Similarly, we have given it a lot of intelligence. Relying on the artificial intelligence system, it can complete a lot of work autonomously. Including some in-orbit extravehicular maintenance work, which greatly reduces the astronauts' on-orbit and depot activities. "
With that said, Zhou Xiangming led the crowd to the rear of the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, and then introduced them to the crowd.
"The tail of this Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, like the core module of the space station, also retains a docking port for the docking of the cargo spacecraft.
Why keep this tail docking port, mainly because our Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft needs to run in orbit for a long time, so we need to continuously supply fuel and materials for this Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft to maintain its long-term operation. orbital operating conditions.
At the same time, relying on the power of the cargo spacecraft, we also need to use the propellers of the cargo spacecraft to act as the power source for the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, so as to promote the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft to maintain a stable orbit. "
"Why is it so troublesome, can't you directly use the thrusters on the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft?" Zhang Jun interrupted Zhou Xiangming at this time and asked.
Hearing Zhang Jun's words, Zhou Xiangming said with a smile: "Of course it can be used, but how to blindly use the propellers on the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft will greatly reduce the on-orbit operation life of the spacecraft. After all, even if No matter how good the propeller is, it also has a service life, and it is used less than once.
And if the thrusters on the cargo spacecraft are used to propel the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, the on-orbit operating life of the spacecraft can be greatly extended. When the fuel on the cargo spacecraft runs out, it will be separated from the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, and then choose to fall into the atmosphere to burn up, or let it crash into the moon in a controlled manner, so as to avoid creating too much space junk in orbit.
In this way, we can have sufficient cargo spaceships, thereby greatly reducing the cost of operation and use, thereby reducing the cost of transferring materials and personnel from the earth to the moon. In this way, on the one hand, it can meet the needs of our further lunar exploration missions, and on the other hand, it also lays a very good foundation for our commercial development of the moon. "
continue. Wu Hao nodded, then motioned for him to continue.
Zhou Xiangming understood, then led everyone to the front of the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, and then said to everyone: "Like the core module of the space station, this is the node module of this Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft. It also has up, down, left and right and front and rear. One interface, of which the rear interface is connected to the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, and the upper interface is reserved as an exit hatch. In the future, it can also support on-orbit transformation into a docking interface, so as to dock other spacecraft, such as special airlock cabins, etc.
As for the docking ports on both sides, the docking ports are reserved for idle use to dock some other spacecraft. We plan to install a bubble-type panoramic space capsule on its left and right sides in the future for projects such as on-orbit sightseeing and on-orbit space observation.
The other time, it can be docked with some experimental modules, or in other words, it can be docked with an on-orbit astronomical survey mirror. This depends on future needs and choices.
As for the front docking port, it is the main docking port for this Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft. It is mainly used for the docking mission of the manned spacecraft~EbookFREE.me~ and the bottom docking port is used as the docking port for the lunar lander. These two ports can be used interchangeably. "
After listening to Zhou Xiangming's introduction, Zhang Jun nodded, and then said thoughtfully to Wu Hao and Zhou Xiangming: "That is to say, if we want to go to the moon, we need to take our Walker manned spacecraft to ascend first. Space, orbiting the earth, and then taking the opportunity to dock with the earth-moon transfer spacecraft flying around the earth from the lunar orbit.
After the docking is completed, we can transfer from the spacecraft to the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft, carry out related repairs, and prepare for the moon landing.
When the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft flies into lunar orbit and orbits the moon, the lunar lander on the moon lifts off and then docks with the Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft. We then transfer from the spacecraft to the lunar lander, and then call it the lunar lander to land on the moon, so that's it. "
Hearing Zhang Jun's understanding, Zhou Xiangming and the others smiled and nodded in response: "You understand correctly, roughly like this."
"It's too much trouble." Zhang Jun said with a frown.