A big country of aerospace with black technology

Whether it was the craze for lunar exploration in the 1960s or 1970s, or the lunar exploration program launched after entering the new century.

Most detectors and manned exploration spacecraft explore the area where the moon's equatorial plane is located.

The shadow region of the moon has not yet been explored.

The ancient Chinese people once regarded these dark shadows on the moon as palaces and residences of immortals.

It's called Guanghan Palace.

"This time, we are going to explore these never-explored areas!" Zhang Xingyang said excitedly as he looked at the Chang'e-1 operation chart that was about to start the moon impact program.

In more than a year, Chang'e-1 has flown hundreds of circles around the moon, taken a large number of photos of the lunar surface, and conducted many explorations of the geological conditions of the lunar surface.

Now, at the end of his career, it will play a major role.

Hitting the moon surface, exerting the last bit of residual heat.

The selection of the impact location has become the top priority of this task.

This was already confirmed when the Chang'e-1 mission was formulated.

That is, hitting in the shadow of the moon.

This moon shadow is close to the moon's North Pole and is a shadow within a shadow.

Because the moon's own axis of rotation is perpendicular to the ecliptic plane of the solar system, the polar regions receive little sunlight.

It is possible that those polar craters have not been exposed to outside sunlight for billions of years.

It can be said to be a dark place all year round in the solar system.

Now, Chang'e-1 will take the initiative to fall into them, bringing a glimmer of light to these craters.

In fact, whether it is worthwhile to do so has caused extensive discussions within and outside the entire project team.

Because the way to create bright light in these places is to use Chang'e-1 to hit a crater and open a gap.

The key point of the discussion is whether it is worthwhile to change the geological structure of the moon in this way?

At that time, both sides of the debate spoke very fiercely, and Zhang Xingyang still remembers the scene at that time.

The objector stood up first, slapped the table and said:

"According to the Moon Agreement, any country that conducts lunar exploration is obliged to avoid contamination of the lunar environment. We believe that pollution caused by impacting polar craters is irreversible pollution."

"So, we firmly oppose conducting impact experiments in the polar regions!"

Their statement is not unreasonable.

Because the environment in the moon's polar craters has been maintained for hundreds of millions of years.

If the impact point is located here, the impact will be difficult to naturally attenuate over time.

Because the bright side of the moon near the equator is subject to stronger meteorite impacts and solar wind impacts.

If Chang'e-1 hits these places, the impact will disappear quickly.

Supporters don't care much about this and have more specific reasons:

"First of all, our country has not joined the Moon Agreement, and this agreement cannot bind us."

In fact, at this point in time, no country or organization in the world capable of carrying out lunar exploration plans has signed the Moon Agreement.

Neither the sponsoring country nor the contracting countries have the strength to conduct actual lunar exploration.

Therefore, everyone does not attach much importance to this agreement.

This situation will not end until the third brother completes the lunar exploration plan nearly twenty years later.

"Secondly, conducting impact experiments in polar impact craters is of great scientific research value!"

This is also the main reason why most people still persist despite knowing that this may cause pollution to the lunar environment.

The value of scientific research has made everyone selectively give up their insistence on environmental protection of the lunar surface.

According to existing theoretical speculation, there is likely to be a large amount of solid water ice in polar impact craters.

If this can be confirmed, it will have a huge impact on future lunar development.

At the very least, future detection areas will definitely focus more on the polar regions.

Because, with water, there are many things.

For example, water is the source of life. Does water mean life?

Although the moon's core has now completely cooled down, it had an active period a long time ago.

The temperature and environment at that time were definitely more likely to produce life.

Not to mention the value of these scientific research, the presence of water means that some processing industries and planting industries can be carried out more conveniently.

There is no need to go to so much trouble to transport supplies from the earth hundreds of thousands of kilometers away to the moon.

This is a very good thing for the permanent lunar surface scientific research base.

At the end of the debate, Zhang Xingyang also expressed his opinion:

"I believe that the first thing to consider for lunar impacts is the scientific research value. The polar impact plan undoubtedly has higher scientific research value."

"Secondly, we can solve the environmental pollution problem in the future."

When Zhang Xingyang said this, he glanced at the many people present, and then said slowly:

"We will establish a permanent lunar base on the moon in the future."

"By then, we will have enough time to solve these environmental pollution problems."

“It’s not just the pollution we cause, it’s also the pollution caused by all the countries that have ever set foot on the moon!”

Compared with the previous two speeches, Zhang Xingyang's speech is actually more conciliatory.

As Mr. Lu Xun said:

Chinese people's temperament always likes to be conciliatory and eclectic. If you say that this room is too dark and you need to open a window here, no one will allow it. But if you advocate removing the roof, they will mediate and be willing to open the windows.

Zhang Xingyang's statement is more acceptable than the previous two statements.

Therefore, the Chang'e-1 moon collision experiment was determined.

For this impact experiment, there are actually other preparations in the lunar exploration plan.

Because according to previous calculations, when Chang'e-1 hits a polar crater, it will stir up an ultra-high plume.

This is mainly because the moon's gravity is very low, and the kinetic energy of splashes is weakly attenuated.

The dust plume caused by the impact will enter space.

In order to be able to detect these substances, a small satellite was specially launched to detect this before the impact experiment began.

Because the purpose of satellites is mainly to detect the material components in plumes.

Therefore, the satellite is not large and carries only three types of instruments.

However, it is possible to conduct more precise analysis of substances.

In particular, one of the spectrum analyzers is a new product just designed and produced this year.

Everyone also hopes to use it to discover whether there is a large amount of water ice in the lunar poles!

"Has the impact procedure begun?"

Qin Ming asked as he hurried to the control center.

Chang'e-1 needs to accelerate through gravity and its own electricity in the final stage to maximize its speed.

In order to achieve maximum kinetic energy.

"It just started not long ago, it will probably take another 12 hours."

Zhang Xingyang raised his head from the screen and said:

"It's a long time, don't be in a hurry."

"I don't want to miss such an important moment."

After Qin Ming sat down, he said without even breathing.

For scientific researchers, this moment is indeed very special.

Chang'e-1 will reveal for them the tip of the iceberg that has long been hidden under the veil of the Moon Goddess.

How can it not be exciting? !

Because upon impact, Chang'e-1 will detonate the last bit of solid fuel it carries.

Therefore, during this process, a strong flash will also be produced.

Above the Earth, in areas with clear weather, this phenomenon can also be seen with the help of small-diameter optical telescopes.

For example, the 150mm Newtonian telescope is quite popular among astronomy enthusiasts.

This phenomenon can also be seen clearly.

Many optical telescopes in observatories at home and abroad were aimed at the north pole region of the moon on this day.

Hope to see this extremely rare man-made astronomical phenomenon.

"Are our optical telescopes ready?" Zhang Xingyang suddenly turned around and asked Qin Ming.

The reason why Qin Ming came so late was largely because he went to communicate with the observatory about the optical telescope.

The size of optical telescopes these days is not as common as meters in size in later generations.

However, the observatory's telescope is still relatively advanced, including a large-diameter telescope of 60 centimeters.

"After coordination, real-time tracking will be carried out when the time comes."

Qin Ming took a breath, calmed down his breath and said.

It is now three o'clock in the afternoon. According to the scheduled program, Chang'e-1 will impact the crater on the north pole of the moon at around twelve o'clock midnight.

Today is the 16th day of the lunar calendar, which happens to be the moment when the moon is at its largest and clearest.

It is very beneficial for observation with optical telescopes.

Zhang Xingyang breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Qin Ming's affirmative answer.

In fact, there are very few things that optical telescopes can detect.

It is not of much help to their scientific research plans.

However, it has an incomparable advantage in another aspect.

That is, it can be used for videography.

After connecting the cryo-CCD camera, the phenomenon caused by the impact can be captured very clearly.

It is very helpful for publicity work.

The war of public opinion is also a major reason why Zhang Xingyang attaches great importance to this.

It’s worth it if you can boost everyone’s confidence after publishing these photos and images!

If you want to truly complete the detection of the material stirred up by the impact, you still need to rely on the detection satellite that Zhang Xingyang and the others launched not long ago.

This satellite didn't even have a nice name because of its short lifespan and single function.

Just according to the function and convention, the name of the Lunar Material Detection-1 satellite was chosen.

As time goes by, Chang'e-1 is getting faster and faster as it is driven by its own engine and continues to lower its orbit!

After nine hours of acceleration, Chang'e-1's speed has reached its maximum speed, 2.66 kilometers per second!

This speed is basically impossible on the earth.

Due to atmospheric resistance, the aircraft quickly overheated and burned.

Only in an environment with low gravity and low material density like the moon can such a fast speed be achieved.

"The acceleration phase of the moon impact program has been completed, and the impact angle is being adjusted!"

Qin Ming stared at the screen in front of him and said loudly.

The location where Chang'e-1 needs to impact has already been determined.

The thrust engine has stopped working at this time, and the attitude adjustment engine has started working!

Within fifteen minutes, the angle adjustment was completed.

"Chang'e-1's attitude is normal and entering the final impact stage!"

There were faint beads of sweat on Qin Ming's forehead.

It can be seen that he is also very nervous now.

Above the earth, in the dark hemisphere, there are at least hundreds of telescopes of various kinds pointed at the moon, hoping to see the shining moment!

At the beginning of the design of Chang'e-1, the impact was taken into consideration.

A camera and signal transmission system that may be effective even after an impact is designed.

However, Zhang Xingyang once said that after the impact is completed, there is a probability that shooting and data transmission can be successfully completed.

No more than 20 percent.

That is to say, basically, it is impossible to succeed.

However, everyone still wanted to try it, so they installed such a system.

"The Lunar Material Detection Satellite No. 1 has turned on its material analyzer."

The colleagues in charge of satellite work on the other side have also made all preparations.

Now just wait for Chang'e-1 to hit the crater in the North Pole!

At 12:31:20, Chang'e-1 entered the shadow zone and sent back the last message.

In the next 120 milliseconds, a strong flash of light erupted on the moon's North Pole impact crater!

The light even continues beyond the surface of the moon.

It was as if a sharp thorn suddenly grew on the jade plate-like moon surface!

"Do you have data from the spectrometer?"

Different from the usual missions, this collision means that everyone's mission has just begun.

"Yes, yes, the spectrum is out."

The fastest is the spectrum analyzer.

Although the accuracy of the analysis is relatively low, at a distance of hundreds of thousands of kilometers, only light can transmit the data back in the first time.

Zhang Xingyang took the spectrum data and looked at it carefully.

A minute later, he happily flicked the paper report and laughed:

"Exactly what I thought!"

"Spectral analysis of the surface contains a large amount of hydrogen and oxygen!"

Spectral analysis cannot directly see the type of substance, but can only see the proportions of various elements.

But judging from the large amounts of hydrogen and oxygen, there must be a lot of water!

The next day, the Lunar Material Detection-1 satellite also captured a large amount of water vapor from the plume!

"We detected more than 1.6 million liters of water vapor in the plume!"

Zhou Xuan, who is in charge of the Lunar Material Detection No. 1 satellite, reported the good news to everyone as soon as he obtained the data.

"It turns out that there must be a lot of water ice in the polar craters of the moon!"

This news, although it has not yet formed a formal paper.

However, it still sparked a lot of discussion around the world!

Almost overnight, the whole world knew that the people of the Dragon Kingdom had found water on the moon! (End of chapter)