94: From Technological Warfare to Space Empire

Chapter 139 You two are talking in too high-level terms, can you give me something I, Old Hou, can understand? (4k chapters, please subscribe)

The second hand of the wall clock ticked away.

After Lin Yu finished explaining his conjecture, apart from Qian Lao, the two leaders simply thought that Lin Yu was just a child with wild ambitions, indulging in wishful thinking.

But when Qian Xuesen mentioned that Beihang University was working on Lunar Palace-1, the two leaders fell silent.

what what?

Is domestic technology already this advanced?

Lin Yu's previous eloquent narration revealed all of his research on the moon.

Mr. Qian became more and more satisfied as he listened.

This kid wasn't just saying it offhand.

There's something inside!

The admiration in his eyes grew stronger.

Unfortunately—

In the end, Mr. Qian shook his head and did not praise Lin Yu.

"Kobayashi, what you said is all theoretically correct."

"Site selection, energy, water and ice, 3D printing, closed-loop ecosystem."

"You've considered every single step of this process."

"There's no need for me to elaborate further on this point."

"But—"

Mr. Qian paused, his tone becoming somber.

"You missed the most crucial question."

?

Lin Yu was instantly stunned.

He began to think frantically in his mind.

I went over my previous ideas and rehearsals again.

The lunar south pole, the peak of perpetual daylight.

Although he didn't say how objects are preserved under the high temperatures of perpetual daylight.

But it's actually not that difficult.

Harbin Institute of Technology later had a plan to launch a bunker buster directly onto the lunar surface.

Creating a huge underground cavern through blasting would be enough to insulate against the high surface temperatures.

Moreover, bricks made from materials 3D printed from lunar soil are inherently heat-resistant.

Mr. Qian was probably not referring to this area.

Water ice, 3D printed lunar soil.

These two should be fine too.

It's almost certain that there's water ice there.

Regarding robotic construction and closed-loop ecosystems—

That's fine too.

Robots will definitely be needed for the initial construction phase.

Moreover, it's impossible to send astronauts without creating a closed-loop ecosystem.

Lin Yu was worried.

Every step has been repeatedly tested, and there shouldn't be any loopholes in any of them.

In the end, Lin Yu could only hang his head in dejection.

"Please give me some guidance, teacher."

Mr. Qian stood up and went to the window.

Facing the sunlight, with his back to Lin Yu, his voice was steady.

"What you're saying isn't fundamentally wrong in theory."

"But there is a fatal flaw."

"These ideas are all based on an existing and well-developed industrial base."

"What I'm pointing out isn't the flaws in your design."

"It's not that what you're doing is detached from reality."

Mr. Qian pointed to the bustling scene outside the window.

The military region is located in the suburbs, and there are no tall buildings.

Even looking into the distance, it's just a wasteland.

Only a few Hongqi cars came and went.

"Xiaoyu, look."

"We've only just started producing our own vehicles."

"They are not very competitive internationally."

"I previously submitted a draft proposal."

"They believe we should focus on developing new energy vehicles now."

"They're already working on new types of batteries in Zhongshan, Guangdong."

"But I still believe that it will be at least 30 years before we can succeed."

Mr. Qian asked Lin Yu, "Where will you get the robot you want?"

Who manufactures 3D printers?

Who designed the microwave sintering equipment?

How are lunar transport rovers manufactured?

Finally, Mr. Qian shook his head.

"These are not the most important things."

"Tell me, how are you going to get these things up there?"

Old Qian looked at Lin Yu, who was mercilessly pointing out flaws in his words, but his eyes were full of encouragement.

"Have you calculated how many tons of supplies you'll need to transport to establish your embryonic development base?"

Lin Yu was speechless when asked the question.

He had indeed only talked about future developments earlier.

It wasn't based on the current reality at all.

Now that Professor Qian has asked a question, Lin Yu's mind is racing.

Begin calculating the required supplies.

In his vision, if such a lunar base were to be achieved...

There should be at least two large, multi-functional robots in each wave.

No, it's not a robot, it's a mechanical device.

It definitely cannot be made in human form.

A fully functional machine that can operate stably in the low-gravity environment of the lunar surface.

It must weigh at least two tons.

A 3D printing machine with robotic arms, a welding head, and a series of processing functions must weigh at least a ton.

We need to build more solar panel arrays, otherwise the power generation won't keep up and that would be terrible.

Based on three tons.

For communication equipment, 500 kilograms would be about right.

The initial components of a life support system are seeds, soil, and the like; just one ton is enough.

Add fuel, spare parts, and various tools—

Lin Yu silently added it all up in his mind.

The final number he folded made him gasp in astonishment.

At least 30 tons of supplies need to be launched.

The total amount of supplies that humans have sent to the lunar surface so far is probably less than a dozen tons.

I haven't calculated the exact numbers yet, but this seems to be the case.

Most importantly, he knew that even the Long March 2, the most powerful carrier rocket currently available, only has a carrying capacity of about 9 tons to low Earth orbit.

Most of it must be fuel.

Even if it reaches the moon, its strength will be halved.

Under Qian Lao's watchful gaze.

Lin Yu spoke quietly.

"Teacher, I've calculated it, it'll probably be around 30 tons."

Mr. Qian nodded, and then asked another question.

"How many launches would it take to achieve a 30-ton payload capacity using current rocket technology?"

Lin Yu gritted his teeth and spat out each word.

"At least—nine times."

"How long is the interval between the nine launches?"

"If everything goes smoothly, from preparation to launch, it will take at least one month, which is nine months."

"9 months—"

Mr. Qian repeated the number to himself.

Until reusable rocket technology is mastered, neither the cost nor the resources required to launch a rocket can support a launch every month.

But Qian did not question Lin Yu first.

Instead, they went along with what Lin Yu had said.

"Nine months? What about the robots that went up first?"

"No electricity, no communication, just sitting idly on the moon?"

"If the first wave you send is communication equipment, where will you put it? What kind of communication equipment can survive for months on the lunar surface in perpetual daylight?"

Lin Yu's forehead began to sweat.

He realized that he had indeed miscalculated.

Because no matter what, apart from the ecological ring which can be supplemented by later launches.

Whether it's photovoltaics, robots, or 3D printing equipment, they all need to be prepared simultaneously.

If any one element is missing, a space that can withstand high temperatures cannot be created.

Indispensable.

Later, more ambitious lunar base plans were all based on heavy-lift launch vehicles and mature space transportation systems.

But now—in 1994.

To be honest, we haven't even carried out a single formal lunar exploration mission yet.

"besides."

Mr. Qian continued.

"What you're talking about, 3D printing lunar soil, is technically feasible, but it requires extensive experimental verification."

"Would a printer function properly in the microgravity and vacuum environment of the moon?"

"It is technically feasible, but requires extensive experimental verification."

"Verification on the moon and verification on the lunar surface are two different things."

"The vacuum environment, microgravity, and extreme temperature differences on the moon will all affect the firing results."

Mr. Qian patted Lin Yu on the shoulder and continued speaking with his finger pointing upwards.

"The water ice mining you mentioned is even more difficult."

"The temperature in the permanent shaded area is -230 degrees Celsius, making it impossible for ordinary mechanical equipment to work."

"We need to design cryogenic robots specifically, which is a completely new technological direction."

"And under this demand, there is a pure low-temperature material."

"This is yet another new technological direction."

"Moreover, the closed-loop ecosystem you mentioned is still just a concept in your Yueyue Public Account."

"There has been so much research on the theory of artificial biospheres internationally."

"But to truly achieve self-sufficiency, at least 10 more years of research are needed."

Mr. Qian extended his right hand, slowly closing his five fingers and clenching them into a fist.

"So, all of what you just said..."

"They all need to meet the same premise."

"Microwave sintering of lunar soil, 3D printing of protective layers, electrolysis of water to produce oxygen and hydrogen, and closed-loop cultivation of plants."

"We can't get them to the moon without a sufficient payload."

"Without sufficient basic industries, they cannot manufacture it."

Do you know what this means?

Lin Yu didn't speak; he knew what Old Qian was going to say.

Mr. Qian walked up to the world map.

Place your finger on the location of Jiuquan, then move your hand away and point towards the ceiling.

The two leaders and Lin Yu kept looking up at him.

It felt like I could break through the ceiling and see the moon quietly emitting a faint light in the universe.

The distance between the Earth and the Moon is 380,000 kilometers.

How large and powerful a rocket would be needed to deliver a one-kilogram payload to the lunar surface?

"Answer me, how precise does this require in terms of orbital control?"

Old Qian turned around and looked at Lin Yu.

"The RD170 you got from Sergei has an average thrust of 760 tons at sea level."

"This thing is indeed the most powerful liquid rocket engine in human history!"

"If you didn't have something that could clear the Chernobyl nuclear radiation, I wouldn't have believed that the Soviets would be willing to exchange this treasure for it."

"Using it as a core stage can indeed create a heavy rocket with a low Earth orbit payload capacity of over 100 tons."

"but!"

Mr. Qian pointed to the two leaders who were listening in.

"It's like you're explaining these theories to them."

"What you received were just blueprints, not the actual product."

"To turn it into something that can fly, we need materials, processes, testing, and trial runs."

Do you have these things right now?

"Does the country have these things now?"

Then Qian continued to question him.

"Secondly, even if you develop the RD170 and mount it as a rocket, can it fly to the moon?"

"Don't tell me you don't know that low Earth orbit and Earth-Moon transfer orbit are two different things."

"To break through near-Earth orbit, all you need to do is exceed cosmic velocity."

"But you want the rocket to be attracted to the lunar orbit—"

"You need a third stage, an upper stage, and a second ignition after a long coasting period."

"Learn a skill? I can help you answer that, but the country doesn't have one right now."

Lin Yu listened to what Old Qian said.

He listened and pondered as he went.

I kept thinking about whether I had a real solution to these problems.

Meanwhile, Qian Lao's work continued.

Achieving a lunar landing is no simple task.

Since the US and Russia started doing it, China naturally wants to follow suit.

But this kind of thing was not something that the newly established China, with its basic industrial development just beginning, could handle.

It will take at least several more decades to develop.

Professor Qian laid out all the problems he encountered in his research.

Like a teacher, he patiently instructs.

This is what is known as spiritual midwifery.

The method used by the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates to enlighten his apprentices.

By asking questions, the apprentices can find the answers themselves.

"Third, landing."

"You know, the moon doesn't have an atmosphere, so you can't use a parachute."

"A soft landing is the only option; precise control requires using engine reverse thrust to decelerate."

"One kilogram is easy to control, but what about 10 tons? Or 100 tons?"

"If it can't be controlled, even if the moon's gravity is weak, who can guarantee that the object won't be damaged by the reaction force if it falls on it?"

"If a critical component fails, will this rocket launch be a complete failure?"

"If we include several core components as backups, wouldn't that be a waste of the rocket's payload for each launch?"

This pointed question made Lin Yu grimace.

Mr. Qian truly lives up to his reputation.

The simple questioning put immense pressure on him.

He admitted that his previous plan was somewhat naive.

But just as easily, he was not one to back down.

Lin Yu buried his head in thought, trying to figure out what way he could solve these problems.

Seeing Lin Yu's furrowed brows, Old Qian's tone softened, but it didn't become any smoother.

"Tell me again, how many tons of payload does your lunar base need?"

"Those robots, solar panels, 3D printing, living quarters, and spare supplies you just mentioned—"

"What are you going to send up now?"

The office fell silent.

The two leaders beside him listened as if they were hearing a foreign language; they had already been convinced by Qian Lao.

But she couldn't help but subconsciously cast an expectant glance at Lin Yu.

Faced with these problems, can Lin Yu offer a feasible solution?

They didn't expect Lin Yu to be able to solve this problem in one go.

Any solution they can come up with is a tremendous encouragement to them.

The country is not afraid of not being able to handle the problem now.

As long as the future can be resolved, whether it takes ten, twenty, or thirty years.

We will continue on this path with unwavering determination.

You should know that protracted warfare was one of their founding principles!

The righteous path, grand and majestic, leads us forward; this is how the Chinese people build society.

Commander Hou quietly lit a cigarette, not daring to make a sound.

Chief Chen looked at Lin Yu with a hint of scrutiny in his eyes, but more so with admiration.

Under Qian Lao's questioning, most people would have already lost their composure.

But he could tell that Lin Yu was just thinking.

Old Qian stood there, waiting for Lin Yu's answer.

Lin Yu remained silent.

The calculations in his mind were not yet finished.

These things will not be permanent problems.

There must be a way.

There must be a solution!

It wasn't until Chief Hou had smoked two rounds of cigarettes.

Lin Yu finally smiled.

This smile is different from the ones before.

It was no longer the confidence that allowed her to answer others fluently.

It's not the arrogance of a young person making boastful promises.

It's the kind of fighting spirit that's aroused when you're cornered by fate!

Filled with fighting spirit, Lin Yu spoke!

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