Hearing Wu Hao's question, Zhang Jun couldn't help but nodded and looked at Yu Chengwu and Zhou Xiangming.
Indeed, Wu Hao's question was very targeted, and he also wanted to know what to do in this situation.
The Moon Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft can carry up to sixteen people, which also means that it requires two manned spacecraft like Walker to transport the crew. If it is a traditional spacecraft, it may also need more times.
After these two spacecrafts transport the crew to the Moon Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft, it does not mean that their missions have become technical. On the contrary, this is the beginning of the mission. They need to be docked to the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft to ensure the entire mission.
Even after the crew has landed on the moon, their mission has not ended. Instead, they continue to dock on the Moon Express cis-lunar transfer spacecraft until the crew members withdraw from the moon and return to Earth orbit aboard the Moon Express cis-lunar transfer spacecraft. , at that time, these spacecrafts carried the crew back to Earth, and their mission was completed only after they landed safely.
Therefore, during this follow-up guarantee process, the manned spacecraft needs to dock with the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft so that the crew can evacuate to the manned spacecraft for refuge or emergency departure at any time.
But the Moon Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft has only three docking ports on the left, right and front. The top is the exit hatch, and the bottom is a panoramic glass observation window.
The front position is reserved for the landing and return capsule, so there are only two docking ports on the left and right. But in this case, how can we meet the docking needs of two manned spacecraft and one cargo spacecraft.
Regarding this question, Zhou Xiangming smiled and shook his head and said: "Actually, these three docking ports are completely sufficient. Because our ascent lander will only go to the Moon Express when it is transferring personnel and materials. The transfer spacecraft will not carry this landing ascender during the entire transfer process, including the process of orbiting the Earth, because this will increase the mass of the entire Lunar Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft assembly and increase unnecessary fuel consumption. thereby increasing costs.
Therefore, when the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft reaches the lunar orbit, the cargo spacecraft will temporarily detach and give up the docking position to the landing ascender for docking. When the entire docking is completed and the personnel transfer is completed, the landing ascender will detach and then land on the moon, or fly around the moon. The vacated docking port will be docked with the previously detached cargo spacecraft to form the original combined structure. "
Speaking of this, Zhou Xiangming said with a smile: "Actually, there is another way, that is, the cargo spacecraft can end its mission after completing the cargo transportation. The entire transfer process does not require the participation of the cargo spacecraft.
Because the journey from the earth to the moon only takes about five days, and the return may be even shorter. The supplies needed by these sixteen people can be loaded on the Moon Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft.
In addition, the space inside the Walker manned spacecraft is very considerable. Even after it is fully loaded with eight people, there is still a certain amount of space to transport materials, so it can fully meet the transportation process of these materials.
Therefore, this cargo spaceship is also trying to improve its quality, so it is better not to use it.
Besides, a transfer mission that can carry sixteen people at a time is not common in the current Earth-to-Moon transfer missions, including those for a long period of time in the future, and the number of times it is occupied is not high. Therefore, such a three-pair interface design is completely acceptable. . "
Upon hearing Zhou Xiangming's introduction, Wu Hao and Zhang Jun also nodded slightly. Indeed, it is indeed uncommon to transport 16 people at one time, so this structural design can fully meet the needs of use.
"Then if the demand for transshipment tasks is relatively strong in the future and there are more personnel exchanges, how should we solve it and add new node cabins?" Wu Hao then asked.
Seeing Wu Hao's targeted question, Zhou Xiangming was not anxious, but answered very calmly with a smile.
"This is also very simple. The panoramic observation glass hanging window located under the node cabin is actually an independent mechanism in itself, which is connected to the docking port below. If the demand for transportation capacity is strong in the future, then this panoramic observation glass hanging window can be abandoned by then. , we can even transport it directly to the moon and reuse the waste for subsequent expansion projects of the lunar scientific research station.
In this way, we have four docking ports, so that we can further meet the strong transportation demand. "
I see. After hearing Zhou Xiangming's introduction, Wu Hao and Zhang Jun couldn't help but nodded. This would indeed solve this problem.
But in this case, there is no such panoramic observation glass hanging window. Zhang Jun showed a look of pity.
Zhou Xiangming nodded and replied: "This is the lesser of the two, but there is no way to solve it. Then launch a node module to connect with the docking interface below, so that five new docking interfaces can be added at once. , even if the bottom docking port is equipped with a panoramic observation glass hanging window, there are still four docking ports available, front, rear, left, and right. Plus the left, right, and front docking ports above, there are a total of seven docking ports available, which can fully meet the needs of the future. expansion needs.
However, this requires additional construction costs. "
Indeed, from the perspective of saving money, this method of abandoning the panoramic observation glass hanging window and adding interfaces is obviously more practical.
It is impossible to say that just to retain the panoramic observation glass hanging window, a new node module or a new docking dock will be launched. This is obviously unrealistic.
Of course, it’s not impossible. If space commercial tourism and lunar commercial tourism become popular in the future, and tourists are willing to do so, then it is entirely possible to launch a new module. After all, the wool comes from the sheep, so why not do it.
Let's go, get out. Wu Hao circled the inner space of the Moon Express Earth-Moon transfer spacecraft and waved to everyone.
Immediately, everyone walked out and finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although there are ventilation ducts inside, it still feels a bit closed, which makes people a little uncomfortable.
Seeing the reactions of Wu Hao and Zhang Jun, Zhou Xiangming said with a smile: "If you haven't adapted, it will still be a bit uncomfortable to stay in such a relatively closed space for a long time. Even if it is our Moon Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft The internal space is similar to that of the space station as a whole, but it still feels relatively small.
Of course, this is also related to poor air circulation. Currently, the Lunar Express Earth-lunar transfer spacecraft is still in the development process. The air circulation system has not been turned on yet. The air circulation inside is only maintained through external ventilation ducts. The effect is poor, so it is a normal reaction to be a little uncomfortable staying inside. . "
(End of chapter)
