Reborn Before the Apocalypse: My Backing is the Nation

Chapter 49 Giant Spirit God No. 2

Jiang Yang did not voice the question that was on his mind.

A person who appeared to be also in the administrative management system asked the question, and it was clear that he didn't quite understand it either.

Gu Changshan said, "Reporting to the commander, the reason is that when sending conventional payloads to the moon, such as satellites and landers, the issue of deceleration needs to be considered."

Therefore, the previous flight speed could not be too high, otherwise there would not be enough fuel to slow down.

Missiles, on the other hand, don't need to consider this issue. They don't need to decelerate, nor do they need to worry about orbital insertion; they only need to keep accelerating, using all their fuel to increase speed.

Jiang Yang nodded slightly, understanding dawning on his mind.

The missile modification takes five days. The journey from Earth to the moon takes one day, making it a total of six days.

With four days remaining, I have more leeway to do other things.

Sun Changhe looked at Lu Zhaoming: "Professor Lu, what are your evaluation results?"

Lu Zhaoming took a deep breath, his expression serious: "To achieve the highest level of exploration with current technology, we need to send the following payloads to the moon:
First, lunar satellites.

We need optical exploration satellites with sufficient precision, with a resolution of at least 0.1 meters, and also with stereo mapping capabilities.

In addition, infrared detection satellites are needed to detect temperature anomalies in the region;

Radiation measurement satellites are needed to measure the overall radiation status of the region and conduct various other detections, such as gravity mapping.

Based on a comprehensive assessment, three are needed.

Second, the impactor.

We need an object of sufficient mass to impact the Mare Tranquillitatis region, creating an artificial moonquake, and then use the propagation of seismic waves to confirm the relevant conditions beneath the moon.

This is relatively simple. Whether it's a simple modification of the launch payload of an intercontinental ballistic missile or a controlled and precise impact on an existing lunar satellite, the requirements can be met.

Third, and most importantly, the most difficult part: the lunar rover.

Lu Zhaoming's expression grew increasingly serious: "We need at least ten lunar rovers operating simultaneously in this area to measure all the physical data of the region and to receive the seismic wave data triggered by the impactor."

The reason so many are needed is because the lunar rover has limited mobility, but the area to be explored is too vast.

Ten lunar rovers are the minimum requirement. More would be better if possible.

A lunar rover and a satellite working together are essential to collect as much data as possible and confirm the source of high-energy neutrinos in the region.

Jiang Yang remained silent upon hearing the conditions listed by Lu Zhaoming.

As Gu Changshan said before, launching a nuclear missile or an impactor to directly hit the moon only takes one day, but launching a lunar satellite takes at least four or five days—and that's without taking into account the time spent on the initial modification.

It is foreseeable that the time required to launch a lunar rover to the moon will only be longer.

The reason is simple: lunar rovers require more deceleration than satellites, and they also need a descent buffer phase, making them more complex.

But the number of lunar rovers needed is the largest.

Sun Changhe asked, "Are the people from the aerospace department here?"

"Chen Yusheng reporting to you." He was a strong, middle-aged man who clearly paid great attention to physical exercise.

"You are not responsible for the impactor and intercontinental ballistic missile issues."

Your responsibility is to manufacture, launch, and land at least three lunar satellites and ten lunar rovers.

Can we complete this mission with our current space launch capabilities? How long will it take?

Chen Yusheng remained silent for a moment before saying, "Reporting to the commander, we have just completed the statistics and inventory of the existing space launch capabilities."

If we want to launch payloads to the moon, we currently only have one rocket that can accomplish this task: the Giant-2 heavy-lift launch vehicle.

However, for missions like lunar exploration, the rockets required are always manufactured on a planned, on-demand basis. We do not normally have this type of rocket in stock.

At the same time, launching multiple satellites at once, similar to the method used for Earth orbit satellites, is not feasible for lunar missions.

Three lunar moons and ten lunar rovers, each requiring one Giants II rocket. Therefore, at least thirteen rockets would be needed.

Normally, the manufacturing cycle for a Giants II heavy-lift launch vehicle is 16 months. Corresponding payloads, such as satellites and lunar rovers, even with mature design plans, have a construction cycle of more than six months.

The production of 13 Giant God II rockets within five days... is completely unfeasible.

Sun Changhe asked, "Is it possible to modify existing rockets, or even missiles?"

Nowadays, there are many types of rockets and missiles, and they are launched frequently, so there must be a considerable stockpile of rockets.

In addition to state-led rocket launches, there are also many commercial rocket launches.

Chen Yusheng shook his head: "Rocket launches follow the principle of dedicated funds for specific purposes. Each type of rocket corresponds to a specific launch mission, such as near-Earth satellites, cargo spacecraft, geostationary satellites, navigation satellites, etc."

Among these, the lunar launch vehicle is the most sophisticated, challenging, and demanding; other rockets cannot be modified to perform this mission. It's like… just like no matter how much you modify an electric tricycle for agriculture, it can never beat a race car on a professional track.

Jiang Yang interjected, "What about the other countries? Do they have rocket reserves?"

He still clearly remembered that in the previous cycle, just an intercontinental ballistic missile was enough to make them obediently hand over their large scientific equipment temporarily.

Will this generation also be able to draw on the power of other countries?
Chen Yusheng said in a deep voice: "Reporting to Commander Jiang, according to the existing intelligence and data, the current situation of other countries is similar to that of our country."

The most advanced project so far is a lunar exploration program by the United States, which is expected to launch in seven months. However, as far as we know, the rocket is still in the design phase and has not yet entered actual production.

Furthermore, even if existing rockets are modified or remanufactured, foreign spacefaring forces would likely be unable to launch them.

Spacecraft manufacturing and launch, especially emergency launches within a short period, require an extremely high level of organization. Apart from my country, no other country in the world possesses the corresponding organizational capabilities.

This is something we can only do ourselves; no other country can offer us any help.

Jiang Yang nodded silently.

If given a year or even two, then the scientific research, design, and production capabilities of the entire planet could be integrated through military deterrence.

But if it's only for a few days, then forget it.

(End of this chapter)