Great Country Academician

Moon, ice resources!

Or is it enough for the biosphere?

Upon hearing this, Wu Weihua and Han Zhixin's eyes widened immediately, and their breathing became a little heavier. They were completely stunned by the sudden news.

Although they are not experts in the field of aerospace, as researchers in the field of biology, both of them are very clear about the meaning behind this news.

Water is the source of all things and the source of life.

Although water can be found everywhere on Earth, if it involves alien colonization, water will undoubtedly become the first problem that needs to be solved.

Such as the moon.

If you want to establish a permanent colonial base on the lunar surface, water is undoubtedly a problem that must be solved. It can even be said that water has a higher priority than air.

The reason is simple. Water is not only necessary for drinking and growing food. It can also be decomposed into oxygen and hydrogen through electrolysis and other methods. The former can be consumed by humans or other organisms, and the latter can be used as fuel and so on.

Therefore, on the moon, the importance of water resources is, overall, more important than oxygen.

More importantly, for the moon, water resources are not renewable resources like the earth.

Because of the inherent flaws of the moon, its mass is small, its gravity is very low, and it has no atmosphere. This results in the moon's escape velocity being very small, only 2.4 kilometers per second.

As a result, the speed of gas molecules on the moon's surface during thermal motion is relatively easy to exceed this value. Once this value is exceeded, the gas molecules may escape from the moon forever.

Therefore, the water on the moon is basically stored in ancient times, and cannot be used and re-purified into the atmosphere like on the earth.

Of course, this does not rule out that humans can purify water resources in colonial bases through various technologies. But overall, the ice resources on the moon are limited resources, and once they are exploited, they will be permanently reduced.

If this news is known by the United States and other Western countries, I am afraid that international public opinion will be uproar again, and everyone will talk about it.

After all, according to the United Nations’ Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, the moon is shared by all mankind. The agreement also defines that the extraction and distribution of all resources on the moon shall be managed by an international system.

If this news breaks out, the public opinion will definitely not be very friendly to them.

Especially those Western countries will definitely try every means to 'share' these lunar ices with them.

Of course, these things are not what they should consider at the moment.

But for building Biosphere 3 on the moon, the large amount of lunar ice makes it possible to do something that was originally almost impossible.

In an instant, Wu Weihua was so excited that his whole body trembled.

If you can participate in such a project, even if you are only responsible for the part of the lunar surface planting center, the attraction will be fatal for a biologist and plant expert.

The low gravity environment of the moon is the basis for direct exposure to cosmic radiation and solar rays. It is fascinating to think about how plants or organisms will change in such an environment.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

In the United States, at the NASA headquarters, a press conference is being prepared in an orderly manner with the busy staff.

In the lounge on the upper floor of the building, Director Bill Nelson was arranging his suit in front of his mirror. At today's press conference, NASA will officially announce the opening of the 'first phase' of the 'Artemis Project'.

As the director of NASA, he is naturally the host.

Sitting on a chair not far from the lounge, Bill Gerstenmaier, deputy administrator of NASA, hesitated for a long time before speaking: "Regarding the construction of the lunar colony base, is it really necessary to rush it? Should it be slowed down? Would the steps be better?”

In front of the mirror, Bill Nelson smiled and said: "My dear old man, what are you worried about? Are you worried that we can't do it?"

Gerstenmaier shook his head and said: "No, I believe we can successfully send astronauts to the moon and bring them back."

After a slight pause, he continued: "It's just that we have to carry out the work on the lunar surface base for the first time. Is this too much pressure on the astronauts?"

Hearing this, Bill Nelson turned around with a smile, looked at him and said, "Relax, we have already done this in the last century and have rich experience and data about the moon landing."

"Furthermore, the previous unmanned moon landing test of the Falcon rocket has been a perfect success. The life support unit that followed the astronauts to space has been fully tested. Its deployment is almost fully intelligent and does not require astronauts. They have too much work.”

After a pause, Bill's eyes became sharp and he continued: "It is not difficult for us to land on the moon, but it is necessary to build the first lunar base on it."

"With the development of the aerospace field, we are not the only country that has successfully landed on the moon. Moreover, the competitor opposite is planning to send astronauts to the moon and at the same time build a surface base on the moon's surface. "

"If they really do it, how much pressure will there be on us from the outside. If we can't take the lead again, public opinion alone will overthrow us."

Gerstenmaier shrugged, sighed and said nothing.

For the United States, being surpassed in the aerospace field is indeed an unacceptable thing.

The construction of the lunar base is also a way to deal with the increasing pressure of the country on the other side of the Pacific in the aerospace field.

After all, no country in the world is currently capable of building a surface base on the moon. If they do it first, it will undoubtedly greatly boost their confidence in the aerospace field.

However, he felt that this plan was a bit too hasty at the moment. Maybe it would be better to make more preparations?

After tightening his tie and tidying up his appearance, Bill Nelson walked up to Gerstenmaier with a smile, patted his arm, and said with a smile:

"Relax, my man. Building a lunar base is part of the Artemis plan. We just moved the time forward a little. It's harmless."

"It's almost time. Those reporters are still waiting for us. Let's go."

The reception hall, the site of the press conference.

The lights on the host stage turned on, and Director Bill Nelson in a suit and tie walked up to the reporting stage with a smile on his face, facing the media reporters in the room.

After greeting the media reporters in the reception hall, he announced the start of the press conference.

"Good morning, gentlemen and ladies. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend our press conference. The content of today's press conference is exactly the previously announced Artemis project!"

"Three days ago, through discussions between the Office of the President and NASA, we determined that the first phase of the Artemis program will be officially launched in June."

"To be precise, it will be on June 17, that is, one week later, the first phase of the Artemis project, 'Manned Moon Landing and Return to the Moon,' will be officially launched!"

After a slight pause, he turned sideways and looked at the big screen behind him. On the screen, a PPT picture jumped out. On it was the assembled BRF heavy rocket, standing quietly on the heavy tracked transport vehicle. superior.

Looking at the screen behind him, Bill Nelson smiled and faced the reporters and cameras in the audience, and continued: "I believe you can clearly see that on the screen behind me, it is the BRF heavy-duty aircraft that has been assembled. Rockets and manned lunar spacecraft.”

"It will carry a life support unit with a total weight of thirty tons + twenty-five tons of command module and lunar module + ten tons of various supplies, totaling more than sixty-five tons of items to the moon!"

As he spoke, Bill Nelson looked at the big screen behind him. When he finished speaking, the picture on the screen also switched.

I saw that the silver-white screen was divided into two halves. There was a hemispherical white building on the left, which was the life support unit. Next to the hemispherical life support unit, there was something that looked a bit like a 'phage virus'. The lunar module, and a small lunar rover.

On the right side of the silver-white screen is a concept map of the lunar base.

Judging from the picture, the envisioned lunar base is very grand. It looks like a huge circle as a whole, with five pentagonal core buildings in the innermost part, which are somewhat similar to the Pentagon, and are connected to each other by silver-white pipes. .

Half of the periphery is solar power generation panels, arranged neatly; they can provide energy for the entire permanent residence.

The other half is a scientific research experimental base, a rocket launch site, and things similar to greenhouses.

From the above labels, we can clearly see the purpose of various buildings and equipment. In addition to scientific research, there is also experimental planting on the moon.

Looking at the pictures on the screen, Bill Nelson turned to look at the media reporters in the audience, showing a bright smile.

"Last year, we said that we would return to the moon and build a life-support module and a permanent settlement on the lunar surface."

"Now! It's coming!"

Hearing this, the media reporters in the audience became obviously commotion, and many people could not help but express excitement, excitement and shock on their faces.

NASA is responding with their plans!

Not only that, it’s even ahead of schedule!

Not to mention a one-week manned landing on the moon, returning to the moon, and even building a permanent residence on the surface of the moon!

There is no doubt that this proves that the United States still has the world's number one aerospace capability!

Feeling the excitement of the crowd in the audience, Bill Nelson nodded with satisfaction and continued:

"Our Artemis lunar exploration spacecraft will be launched in a week. This launch mission will carry four astronauts and the corresponding life support system, fly around the earth for two weeks, enter the lunar orbit, and finally land on the moon. The surface of the moon.”

"After successfully arriving on the moon, we used the powerful transportation capability of the BRF heavy-lift launch vehicle to establish a life support module and the first 'permanent lunar settlement' on the lunar surface, which can sustain at least five astronauts on the lunar surface. At least two to five years of living needs.”

"Even in the future, the lunar surface base will be open to the public for tourism and welcome taxpayers who want to set foot on the moon!"

Following Director Bill's speech, the atmosphere at the press conference became heated.

Return to the moon, the first permanent lunar surface base, and even lunar tourism.

A series of words crazily stimulated the hearts of the media reporters in the audience.

Soon, the press conference entered the on-site question and answer session. The reporters in the audience raised their hands crazily, trying to get first-hand information.

Standing on the reporting platform, Bill Nelson glanced around the audience, with a confident smile on his face, and stretched out his hand to signal a media reporter in the audience to ask a question.

"Hello Director Bill, regarding the first phase of the Artemis project and the first lunar surface base after returning to the moon, has NASA made complete preparations?"

Responding to the attention of the media in the audience, Bill Nelson smiled and said, "Of course, NASA has the richest experience in moon landing. I believe no country can match us."

“In the last century, we have successfully sent astronauts to the moon, and with the passage of time and the development of aerospace technology, it is time to build a permanent settlement on the moon. "

"It will become the bridgehead for the United States and the whole world to land on the moon, move towards Mars, and go to the universe!"

"As for safety and preparations, I can assure everyone that NASA has made all safety work foolproof, and the construction of the lunar base is just a matter of time!"

When Bill Nelson finished speaking, he was greeted with applause from the audience.

The first lunar surface settlement, a bridgehead towards Mars and the universe!

There is no doubt that these are things that are perfectly in line with the aerospace glory in the hearts of Americans.

The warm applause passed, and soon the second reporter stood up and asked a quick question.

"Hello, Mr. Director, about half a month ago, China completed two unmanned lunar landing projects, and announced that it will officially carry out manned lunar landings in June. Could you please tell NASA about the Artemis lunar exploration project? The launch of the spacecraft is scheduled for a week later, just three days ahead of the Xinghai Research Institute. Is it to seize time?"

Hearing this question, Bill Nelson smiled and said: "Of course not! Seizing time is possible in other fields, but it is completely impossible in aerospace."

"After all, manned landing on the moon is a very complicated task. We must do our best to make the most complete and detailed preparations to ensure that we can send astronauts up and bring them back safely! Otherwise, this will be a threat to the lives of the astronauts. Indifference!"

"The reason why we set the time a week later is because we are fully prepared, not because we are trying to seize time."

After a pause, he looked at the media reporters in the audience who asked questions, and then said: "If you want to seize time, you should ask Hua Guo about this question."

"If I remember correctly, they only carried out two unmanned lunar landing projects, and they were carried out in a short period of less than two months, and they tried to send astronauts to the moon for the third time."

"With such hasty behavior, are they just trying to grab time?"