A big country of aerospace with black technology

"Chang'e-1 will need to experience two lunar eclipses during its lifetime."

Zhang Xingyang supported his hands on the workbench, staring closely at the data scrolling on the screen.

"The effective shadow time of each lunar eclipse is about three hours. During this period, the satellite cannot obtain light and the temperature of the satellite will drop rapidly."

"There are very high requirements for Chang'e-1's satellite energy, temperature, and working mode."

Zhong Zixin on the side kept flipping through the paper reports in his hands, telling them about their difficulties.

"I know you have many difficulties, but I don't want to hear your complaints this time."

At this time, Zhang Xingyang had finished reading the data about Chang'e-1 in his computer, and turned to Zhong Zixin and said seriously.

"I just want to know whether you can complete the development of Chang'e-1 before August!"

The 101 Satellite Research Institute has expanded its personnel and various equipment several times in the past few years.

However, due to the linear increase in the number of scientific research projects, both R\u0026D speed and quality have declined to a certain extent.

Even for the lunar exploration satellite, which is a key project, the development progress has not been smooth.

Zhang Xingyang can actually understand their difficulties. Nowadays, many senior researchers are busy with another important task.

Development of large-scale universal satellite platforms.

Many other projects are experiencing shortages of manpower.

However, the timetable for the lunar exploration program was formulated early.

If the development of satellites is delayed, many plans will have to be adjusted accordingly.

It can be said that one move affects the whole body.

"It should be completed before August. We will do our best to ensure the smooth completion of the lunar exploration plan."

Zhong Zixin also knew where he was at fault and guaranteed that they would complete the satellite development work according to the schedule.

"In fact, most of the research and development work on the satellite has been completed. Currently, there are still shortcomings just because of the lunar eclipse."

Combined with the data he just saw, Zhang Xingyang also knew where they were lagging behind.

The key is still the temperature issue.

During a lunar eclipse, because the moon completely or partially enters the earth's umbral area at this time, the light from the sun will be blocked by the earth.

Satellites that use solar energy as their primary energy source will lose their own energy source.

And because satellites, in most cases, do not carry energy storage systems, many problems will arise.

This is why internationally, many deep space satellites use energy systems that combine solar energy and nuclear batteries.

Near the sun, solar panels are used to generate electricity to provide power for most scientific research equipment.

Far away from the sun, such as in deep space beyond Jupiter, isotope batteries are used to provide power.

Isotope batteries utilize the heat energy released during the decay process of radioactive isotopes and convert it into electrical energy through thermocouples.

Isotope batteries have the characteristics of small size, light weight, stable and reliable performance, long working life, and good environmental tolerance.

However, there are currently no isotope batteries that can be used in China.

"It will take about one or two years to develop a 100-milliwatt plutonium-238 isotope battery at the Isotope Institute of the Institute of Atomic Energy."

Zhang Xingyang thought for a while and said.

"No matter how fast they are, they will definitely not be able to use it on Chang'e-1. We can only find other ways."

"The best way is to find a way to insulate the core module of the satellite so that it can quickly restore power supply capabilities after the lunar eclipse."

In space, hypothermia is a terrible thing.

This is not just true for people, but also for devices.

On Earth, this is not so obvious.

After all, apart from the laboratory environment, the lowest temperature on earth is minus 70 or 80 degrees Celsius.

But the temperature in space is over one hundred degrees below zero, which is considered high temperature.

In space, most of the heat is due to thermal radiation rather than thermal convection.

This makes the loss of temperature actually very slow.

But again, heating up is difficult.

"Well, it would be great if the research and development at the Isotope Institute could be faster."

Zhong Zixin complained a little.

"Their difficulties are actually more than yours." Zhang Xingyang said after thinking about the problems faced by isotopes.

Isotopes are not very gentle things.

Even if they are dealing with low-abundance plutonium-238, it is still extremely dangerous.

In the past few years, a Maozi satellite with an isotope battery fell into the South Pacific due to a launch failure, which immediately caused a lot of panic.

They were forced to spend a lot of money to find the debris of the satellite from the vast ocean.

Therefore, the safety of isotope batteries is something that must be considered.

"Insulation materials, our material development project jointly organized with universities has made a lot of progress. You can ask them."

Zhang Xingyang began to spend a lot of money to cultivate university cooperation projects six or seven years ago. In the past two or three years, it has begun to produce a lot of output.

Especially in the field of materials, which attaches great importance to, various traditional and new materials continue to appear in an almost explosive manner.

Among them, there are many materials that can be used in the field of thermal insulation.

On July 22, the 101 Satellite Research Institute finally completed the development of Chang'e-1 in time for the deadline.

Chang'e-1 is equipped with 28 scientific detection instruments of nine types, with a total weight of 150 kilograms.

Including microwave detection systems, gamma-ray spectrometers, X-ray spectrometers, laser altimeters, solar high-energy particle detectors, solar wind ion detectors, CCD stereo cameras, interference imaging spectrometers, etc.

Because the mission of Chang'e-1 is mainly to draw a partial topographic map of the lunar surface to prepare for the subsequent Chang'e series landing on the lunar surface.

Therefore, the most important ones are microwave detection systems, CCD stereo cameras and various spectrometers.

The spectrometer mainly analyzes various components of the lunar surface to provide evidence for subsequent site selection.

On July 25, Chang'e-1 completed the entire satellite factory review.

On August 12, the Chang'e-1 launch window was determined to be September.

On August 23, Chang'e-1 entered the Xichang Satellite Launch Center and was ready for launch.

On September 6, the launch time was officially determined as the 15th.

Today's Xichang Satellite Launch Center has also undergone a round of expansion in the new century and can undertake more launch missions.

Among them, the heavy-lift rocket launch site specially set up for deep space exploration missions is particularly eye-catching.

Because the size of deep space rockets is much larger than ordinary rockets in low-Earth orbit or even geostationary orbit.

Therefore, all the equipment at the new launch site must be larger.

"Is this the rocket you modified for deep space exploration?"

Zhou Xuan asked after circling the chubby rocket.

Chang'e-1 did not use the Hongyan series rockets that have been frequently used in recent years, but the Chang 3 series rockets.

The deep space improved version of Changsanyi can launch a payload of more than 3.1 tons into the Earth-Moon transfer orbit.

"Yes, it is troublesome to transfer the Hongyan series to the Xichang launch site. It is more convenient for us to use the Chang 3 series here."

Zhang Xingyang gently touched the white aluminum alloy shell of the rocket and said.

In order to improve the production capacity and transportation capacity of Hongyan rockets and cooperate with the Wenchang launch site in Hainan, the factory that produces Hongyan rockets has been relocated to coastal areas in the past time.

This makes transportation easier.

This makes it more troublesome for Hongyan to transport it from the sea to the Xichang launch site deep inland.

So Zhang Xingyang and the others simply took out the Chang-3 series of rockets to launch the Chang'e-1.

In fact, in the past few years, the Chang-3 rocket has been performing commercial launch missions internationally.

So in terms of reputation, Chang Sanyi is actually even more famous.

It even has a name similar to that of Spring Airlines' low-cost flights, and the Changsanyi rocket low-cost aerospace.

However, this does not mean that its technology is lagging behind. In fact, due to the large number of launches, the technology can be updated in time.

Changsanyi now uses many high-tech technologies, including new electronic equipment, composite materials, control equipment, etc., which are constantly improving.

"This is our first deep space exploration mission. We hope nothing will happen." Zhou Xuan said with some worry.

According to traditional concepts, getting off to a good start is still a very important thing.

If things don't go well this time around, it's not a good sign.

"If you're worried about this, you might as well worry about the development of your Mars rover."

Zhang Xingyang is full of confidence, not only because he knows that this launch mission is actually not difficult at all, but also because he has a clear grasp of all the conditions of Chang'e-1.

Every link, not to mention personally checking it, at least knows about it.

That's why he asked Zhou Xuan to pay more attention to the Mars exploration plan with the Gauls.

According to the plan, the Gauls were responsible for the research and development of the Mars rover and lander, but Zhou Xuan, as the director of the Institute of Deep Space Exploration, was also involved in this.

The latest news is that their Mars rover development is not going well.

This is also a normal thing. In history, they gathered the power of multiple countries to barely develop a Mars rover.

Now, if they want to rely on their own strength to develop a Mars rover, many problems will naturally arise.

"The progress of research and development is lagging behind, and there are many reasons for it." Zhou Xuan, as a person who was personally involved, obviously knew more.

"But in my opinion, there is still another strong resistance in their country."

In Gaul, some people have always felt that cooperation with the Dragon Kingdom should not be done. Although there is no direct opposition, there is still a hidden lack of cooperation.

This is also an important reason for the slow development of many devices.

Zhang Xingyang didn't say much, he just smiled.

The Mars exploration plan is not in such a hurry. Since the Gauls want to delay it, let's delay it.

We should do our own thing first.

If that doesn't work, we can also complete the research and development of Mars rovers and landers ourselves.

On September 15th, it was a sunny day, with no clouds in the night sky and only a bright moon.

"The weather is nice today!"

Zhou Xuan looked at the sky at the launch site and said.

As an aerospace worker, especially during a rocket launch like this, it is a very happy thing to encounter good weather.

"Rocket fuel filling completed!"

The radio on the side was constantly reporting the rocket's final work progress.

Engineers are still nervously conducting final inspections.

In particular, two cross-checks were conducted on various electronic equipment that are prone to problems.

"Final inspection of rocket completed!"

"Everyone, please evacuate as soon as possible!"

A loud male voice sounded continuously on the launch tower.

Everyone either evacuated to a nearby shelter or returned to the launch command center.

In the command center, Zhang Xingyang sat casually in a corner, playing with his mobile phone and watching everyone in the command center working.

Zhang Xingyang was not so worried about this launch mission.

After all, most of the staff present were not experiencing launch work for the first time.

The number of launches every year is in the dozens, and he is very familiar with all tasks.

Just as Zhang Xingyang was thinking about various future development plans, the launch time was getting closer and closer.

Ten minutes before the launch, Zhang Xingyang walked around the command center and looked at everyone's work.

After finding that there was no problem, he returned to his post.

A few minutes, fleeting!

"emission!"

Along with the transmission of electrical signals, people at the launch site several kilometers away, a deep space improved model rocket that is thicker than ordinary rockets, spits flames tens of meters long like a fire dragon!

Pushing the rocket, it flies towards deep space.

At 148 seconds after the rocket was launched, the first and second stages of the rocket separated successfully!

At 243 seconds after the rocket was launched, the rocket fairing separated and successfully broke through the atmosphere!

At 271 seconds after the rocket was launched, the second and third stages of the rocket separated successfully!

At 609 seconds after the rocket was launched, the three-stage rocket engine shut down once, and the star-rocket combination entered a sliding state!

At 1473 seconds after the rocket was launched, the star rocket separated successfully and Chang'e-1 entered orbit!

Just because a satellite enters orbit does not mean success.

At this time, the satellite is actually still above the earth's orbit.

It also needs to continuously change orbits, and it will take several days to enter the Earth-Moon transfer orbit, and finally it will take a few more days to enter the lunar orbit.

On September 16, Chang'e-1 changed its orbit for the first time, raising the satellite's perigee from 200 kilometers to 600 kilometers.

On September 21, Chang'e-1 underwent four orbit changes and entered the Earth-moon transfer orbit from the Earth orbit.

On September 26, Chang'e-1 officially entered the lunar orbit.

The first deep space exploration belonging to the people of the Dragon Kingdom can finally be said to have achieved initial success.

After that, we will launch more lunar exploration satellites, and even lunar landers and lunar return modules.

Until eventually, we will land on the moon and plant the red flag in the moon's crater.

On the surface of the moon, establish a permanent scientific research and investigation base! ! !