Free Web NovelChapter 1430: Chapter 678 The Space Journey Begins
The Aerospace Bureau and Yixing Company each introduced plans for the Lunar Base and Space Center, instantly causing a stir at the conference.
Each plan involved matters of great significance.
Many people couldn’t help but whisper to each other, "It’s not just the Lunar Base; the Space Center’s plan is also very significant."
"If a super telescope could be built on the Moon, the observable distance and clarity would definitely increase by several times, or even tens of times."
"With the Space Center as the hub, it will surely attract astronomers from all over the world."
"It seems that in the future, the world’s space efforts will revolve around this Space Center."
"The Lunar Base is also really monumental. Although there have been related plans before, each time they are postponed by decades—who knows if it will be possible to build in a few decades?"
"It’s different when Yixing announces it. This company develops very quickly, each plan they bring out can be realized in just a few months. They must already have a clear timetable."
"And the relevant technology!"
The last point was very important. When it came to the question-and-answer session with reporters, the first question was about technology.
A reporter, familiar with Yixing’s space projects, directly asked the key question, "The Lunar Base plan will surely require transporting a large amount of materials, equipment, and instruments to the lunar surface, right? According to our understanding, Yixing is developing a space transport vehicle. So, is the plan related to this transport vehicle?"
Seeing Zhao Yi give a nod, Yixing’s representative, Manager Zhou Kai, immediately turned on the microphone and answered, "Our plan indeed uses transport vehicles to complete the transportation work. The first step of our plan is to transport a special lunar vehicle, to be exact, a Lunar Base Vehicle. The Lunar Base Vehicle can carry a large amount of supplies and equipment. It can facilitate astronauts to sustain months of life and can communicate directly with the ground."
"The Lunar Base Vehicle will be an important part of the plan because the astronauts’ job is to find a suitable location for building the base." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"And our transport vehicle is about to be completed and enter the testing phase."
Zhou Kai spoke a great deal and even revealed information about the Lunar Base Vehicle, inciting a second round of heated discussion at the conference.
The subsequent questions from reporters were mostly about technology, but soon, as some journalists stood up to ask questions, the topic seemed to shift, "The Moon is Earth’s satellite and a celestial body owned by all humankind. Wouldn’t hurriedly building a base on the Moon imply an intention to preemptively claim the Moon?"
This question was rather provocative, as if suggesting that the Aerospace Bureau and Yixing Company’s intention to build a Lunar Base was to ’stake out territory’ on the Moon rather than for scientific research or similar purposes.
The issue of the ’ownership’ of the Moon’s surface would also stir academic and public debate.
First of all, it’s certain that the land on the Moon’s surface is unclaimed; saying it belongs to all humankind is not wrong, nor is it incorrect to say that it is owned by no one.
The leader of the Aerospace Bureau, Zheng Long, turned on the microphone and said, "Everyone knows that the land on the Moon’s surface is without ownership. We do not need to pay any country or institution for the use of the land when building a base on the Moon."
This statement seemed somewhat humorous, prompting a round of laughter.
Zheng Long continued, "Our purpose is not to stake out territory; obviously, we want to perform scientific research, hope to build large telescopes on the lunar surface, and establish areas for astronauts to live and work."
"If other countries and institutions have similar plans, of course, they can do the same."
"Moreover, according to international law, when a land has no ownership, meaning it is not under the jurisdiction of any nation’s sovereignty, any country that first establishes actual control and administrative management of the land can exercise the right of preemption and claim the land under national control."
Zheng Long cited international law regarding the situation of claiming unowned land, which was as good as saying directly, "If we are the first to establish a base on the Moon’s surface, then the areas surrounding the base under our control would legally belong to us domestically."
This argument was valid.
Although the scope of "International Law" only covers the Earth’s surface, using "International Law" to maintain sovereignty is justifiable in the absence of a new "Space Law."
Of course.
Actually, regardless of what is said, other countries and institutions also hope to ’stake out territory’ on the Moon, but they simply cannot do it at the moment.
Spending huge amounts of money and effort, taking great risks, only to claim a piece of ’no man’s land’ on the Moon, would clearly be a loss that isn’t worth the gain.
The subsequent questions from reporters were much more standard, with some journalists concerned about scientific research issues, "Once the Lunar Base is built, will it welcome scientists from other institutions?"
"Will it allow spacecraft and astronauts from other institutions to dock and enter?"
Questions like these related to whether the Lunar Base project would be conducted independently by the domestic agency or invite participation from other institutions.
Zhao Yi turned on the microphone and answered, "Our Lunar Base will also serve as the International Moon Base Station, welcoming other institutions and scientists to join the plan."
"However, I must clarify one point here; as Yixing Company leads the base project and will invest a significant amount of funds and technology, any future profits will belong entirely to Yixing Company."
