Chapter 128: Preparations for the Initial Phase

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, following the mobilization meeting, became unusually busy. Every day, spaceplanes continuously took off and returned from space, ferrying scientists and astronauts to the "Tiangong" space station. They repeatedly conducted experiments and inspections to prepare for the manned lunar landing mission.

Unmanned spacecraft bound for the Moon were launched one after another, already delivering massive supplies in advance to establish a space station on the Moon similar to the "Tiangong."

“Everyone, please look. This is the latest detailed high-resolution image transmitted back by the lunar satellite. Now, our task is to select a suitable landing site on the Moon’s surface. Feel free to share your opinions,” a voice announced in a conference room.

On a massive display, detailed data from the lunar satellite was shown, with a slowly rotating image of the Moon.

The scientists below all pondered carefully. Each wore a virtual device on their wrist that directly received all data, which was then projected into their minds. Thus, they didn't need to look at the screen; the information was vividly present in their thoughts.

“Since we plan to establish a manned base on the Moon, we must choose a resource-rich area. According to spectral data from resource-detecting satellites, the Mare Moscoviense region is exceptionally abundant. It’s a basin formed by meteorite impact, with relatively gentle terrain, which would be beneficial for resource extraction.”

“That won’t do. Because it’s a basin with low terrain, it would complicate resource mining and make returning to space more difficult.”

“This lunar landing site is also a preliminary selection for the future lunar base. The location should be near resource-rich regions with flat terrain to facilitate the construction of a lunar airport. Mare Moscoviense clearly doesn’t fit; the basin restricts rover mobility to other areas.”

“I think the Valles region is quite promising. Its terrain is very flat, resources are relatively abundant, and it’s near the lunar equator. The lighting conditions are favorable, temperatures are moderate, which benefits solar equipment operation and energy acquisition.”

“No, no. Although Valles has abundant resources, spectral analysis shows they are mostly common metals like iron and copper, lacking precious materials.”

“I believe the Oceanus Procellarum area is excellent. It harbors a wealth of rare resources and spans over five million square kilometers—larger than half of China.”

In the conference room, top scientists engaged in heated discussions about the landing site because it directly impacted the future lunar base.

They had to consider the lunar base’s long-term development, the difficulty of the landing, and, most importantly, the availability of lunar resources. The lunar base might become the forefront of lunar resource extraction. If nearby resources were scarce, mining would have to be done far away.

Transporting materials and mining on the Moon is far more complicated and costly than on Earth. Even traveling just a few dozen kilometers could significantly increase costs. Establishing the lunar base essentially meant claiming a region, so the presence of valuable resources there was crucial.

If the site only contained common resources like iron and copper, which are abundant on Earth, it would be better to mine rare and valuable materials such as rare earth elements and helium-3.

After much deliberation, the scientists agreed to place the landing site in the Oceanus Procellarum region, a renowned lunar mare on the near side facing Earth. According to prior resource satellites, this region contains abundant rare earth elements and helium-3. Its lunar basalt also holds vast quantities of iron, uranium, copper, gold, and silver—truly a treasure trove.

More importantly, as a lunar mare, the terrain is very flat, which is advantageous for constructing the lunar base and its future expansion. Its location near the lunar equator also facilitates easier space travel.

...

In another conference room, a large screen continuously played a simulation video showing a lunar lander descending slowly onto the Moon, evidently powered by old-style jet propulsion.

Scientists gathered there were intensely discussing the lunar spacecraft, clearly focused on the lunar landing vehicle.

“There’s no atmosphere or runway on the Moon. Our spaceplanes are useless there; they cannot operate like on Earth, flying directly back and forth between space and the surface.”

“Therefore, we must develop a reliable, reusable spacecraft capable of traveling between the Moon and space. Only after the lunar base builds its own runway can spaceplanes directly shuttle between the Moon and space.”

As leading experts in aerospace vehicles, Liu Shiying and Li Fu were assigned to this project team, jointly leading the development of the lunar lander and shuttle. They were responsible for the manned lunar spacecraft.

Compared to spaceplanes, lunar spacecraft technology is much simpler—after all, the United States already landed on the Moon last century and safely returned. Such technology is no challenge for China now.

However, this manned lunar mission differs from that of the last century. This time, China not only aims to land humans on the Moon but also to build a lunar base. The volume of supplies and personnel to be transported far exceeds that of previous missions.

Consequently, the spacecraft demands are higher. It must have greater thrust, be safer, more reliable, stable, and capable of repeated reuse, greatly increasing the difficulty.

Unless the lunar base builds a runway suitable for controlled spaceplane takeoffs and landings—which would then render the lunar spacecraft obsolete—spaceplanes cannot rely on atmospheric deceleration on the Moon, as there is no air.

Considering the Moon’s gravity is only 1.633 m/s², about one-sixth of Earth’s, and the absence of atmosphere, takeoff on the Moon would be relatively easy with a runway, but landing would be very challenging.

Without air resistance, slowing down is difficult. The low gravity also complicates matters. Therefore, future lunar base plans must include a very long runway. Speed reduction would rely on runway friction or specially designed reverse thrust.

...

“Li Fu, do you have any good ideas?” Liu Shiying asked, her eyes brightening as she looked at Li Fu in the crowded room.

“Traditional spacecraft work for manned lunar landings, but transporting supplies that way is prohibitively expensive. Even on Earth, rocket launch costs are high, let alone from the distant Moon.”

“Moreover, the resources mined on the Moon will need to be transported to space on a large scale later. I think we should design a low-cost vehicle from the start.”

“Since the Moon has no atmosphere and very low gravity, we could consider equipping the spaceplane with a reverse-thrust engine. This should be feasible and meet the needs for Moon-space shuttle flights.”

Li Fu pondered deeply before speaking. He proposed abandoning the original lunar spacecraft plan and continuing with spaceplanes, but with special modifications: adding a plasma propulsion engine at the front to provide reverse thrust for deceleration, enabling lunar landings.

On Earth, this wouldn’t work due to air resistance and strong gravity. A forward-facing reverse-thrust engine would ruin the spaceplane’s aerodynamics, creating huge drag. At high speed, atmospheric forces would quickly destroy the reverse engine, wrecking the vehicle.

But the Moon is different: no atmosphere, so air resistance is irrelevant. The vehicle’s design can be more flexible, similar to space conditions. Only lunar gravity needs consideration, but it’s relatively low.

Other scientists, upon hearing Li Fu’s proposal, opened their eyes wide and nodded in agreement. This approach was practical and addressed long-term needs, not just the immediate manned lunar landing.

PS: Please bookmark, recommend, click, and subscribe.