Free Web NovelChapter 1390: Chapter 662: Does This Count as Expanding the Territory?
The benefits of constructing a base on the lunar surface are simply too numerous.
Since the Moon lacks an atmosphere, being on its surface is akin to being in space. From a scientific research perspective, placing large telescopes on the lunar surface would enable more in-depth astronomical studies, allowing observations of clearer and more numerous phenomena.
Additionally, large-scale Z-wave generators could be built. Z-wave generators rely on solar energy transmission as their power source, and constructing them in geostationary Earth orbit isn’t the best choice, mainly due to Earth’s extensive atmospheric coverage.
Even in space hundreds of kilometers away, compared to the cosmos at large, there still exists a significant amount of particles that would directly affect the range of Z-wave coverage.
At the same time, increasing the power of Z-wave satellites is not an easy task, as space is full of danger. The physical threats are the deadliest, and they severely limit the coverage area of monocrystalline silicon wafers.
If we switch to the lunar surface, the situation changes dramatically. The impacts on the lunar surface are negligible, and the Moon does possess gravity and a ground, making its surface a natural cooling device. Here, vast arrays of monocrystalline silicon wafers could be laid out without worrying about the land area they occupy.
Without concern for land usage, the power generated by space optical energy transmission technology could even surpass that of nuclear fusion devices, with the main advantage being its lower cost, without complex operations such as ’fuel replacement’.
Nuclear fusion devices, after being used for a while, require a fuel change.
Changing fuel on Earth is already somewhat complex, let alone the difficulty on the Moon.
Furthermore, without considering complex issues like technology licensing, the manufacturing costs of nuclear fusion devices are also extremely high. The construction costs for delivering millions of kilowatts of power exceed 20 billion yuan, and when considering fuel costs and lifespan, the energy provision cost of nuclear fusion devices surpasses 25 billion yuan per million kilowatts.
This is still without factoring in the difficulty of replacing fuel on the Moon.
The current Energy-Gathering Satellites around the Sun can transmit over 300,000 kilowatts of optical power. Just three are needed to provide a million-kilowatt power output, and the manufacturing and launch costs of these satellites are about 7 billion yuan, which is soon expected to fall to around 6 billion yuan.
A large photonic energy receiving device can handle an input of up to 20,000 watts of power. For a million kilowatts, 50 such stations are needed, each with manufacturing costs of about 10 million yuan, totaling around 500 million yuan for all 50 stations.
Compressing monocrystalline silicon wafers is relatively more expensive, but an investment of 3 billion yuan would suffice to bear a power intake of a million kilowatts.
Combining each careful calculation, the total cost for generating a million kilowatts of power using photonic energy reception and conversion devices is also just over 10 billion yuan, at most not exceeding half of that for nuclear fusion devices.
Of course. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
The downside of using photonic energy reception and conversion technology as a source of power is that the total weight of the device will be significantly higher than that of nuclear fusion devices.
"Approximately twenty times? Roughly—" Zhao Yi calculated carefully and arrived at an estimated figure.
Photonic energy reception and conversion technology requires a significant amount of compressed monocrystalline silicon.
This material is quite heavy in itself, and the cumulative weight when used extensively, far exceeds that of nuclear fusion devices.
If used on Earth, a heavier weight might not be a problem, but on the Moon, it implies that the necessary ’transportation costs’ would be greatly increased.
Fortunately, the additional costs are acceptable when compared to ’billion’ unit costs.
Of course, all these are premised on the ability to transport a large amount of equipment and materials to the lunar surface, and for personnel to work there.
This will be a continuous large project requiring many hands.
Many astronauts?
That is certainly not feasible.
"If we want to build a base on the Moon’s surface, we must first establish a habitable area for personnel, which necessitates a large pressure-resistant device, something like a big house to encase everything."
"That way, the working staff can move about freely inside it, rather than being confined to spacesuits on the Moon."
While spacesuits can withstand the harsh lunar environment, it is not reasonable to expect people to work in them indefinitely. They might be tolerable for a short while, but not for extended periods.
Therefore, large pressure-resistant habitats that resemble houses, or areas where humans can live normally, are of critical importance.
"So there are two directions for research—"
"One is to find suitable main materials to construct large pressure-resistant habitats."
"The other is to produce space-faring ships with transportation capabilities to continuously ferry materials to the Moon."
Zhao Yi made a decision and wrote a report, planning to call a company meeting to make decisions upon his return. At the same time, he also took the opportunity to communicate with senior leaders.
When the senior leaders heard his plan, they were so shocked that they were speechless for a long while, not knowing what to say.
Construct a Lunar Base?
The Mars exploration mission isn’t even finished, and they’re already preparing to initiate the era of space colonization? ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
The senior leaders felt somewhat unable to keep up with the thought process but what objections could they have?
Of course, none.
Yixing Company operates normally, and moreover, they are a state-controlled company. Each space exploration mission is carried out in cooperation with the Aerospace Bureau.
