The evolution of insect swarms from XNUMX million years ago

Chapter 222 Investigation-Concept of Defense System

The specific detection method is very simple, that is, to launch a large number of small detectors, spread them in large numbers in the environment of the outer solar system, and monitor the environmental conditions within the outer solar system.

These detectors do not need to span long distances between star systems to explore other star systems, but they must at least extend the monitoring range of the cluster to the orbit of Pluto, and even the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud.

Although we don’t know whether there will be unknown enemies crossing the long astronomical unit distance from outside the star system and entering the solar system, after all, the solar system is our home field, and we still need to have the necessary precautions.

It is envisaged that this defense system will consist of a large number of detectors disguised as asteroids, or small orbiting satellites. It will have developed sensing organs to realize the perception of visible light, infrared and electromagnetic bands.

Considering that the size of a single structure is limited and it is difficult to support multiple complex functions, these structures will have a variety of different grades. Some are only equipped with electromagnetic wave sensing structures, some are equipped with infrared sensing structures, and some are equipped with visible light band sensing structures, etc.

At the same time, it is envisaged that there are also some active structures that are larger than these three passive receiving structures. They have developed "active radars" that can emit electromagnetic waves, but they do not have the ability to receive themselves.

It is envisaged that it will cooperate with a large number of small receiving structures, similar to the reconnaissance motherboard and miniaturized receiver of the year, to detect any moving celestial structure in the outer reaches of the solar system on a large scale.

This structure can even abandon the active radar structure and instead install a biological electromagnetic gun structure that is slightly smaller than the main gun of the space creature to strike against possible incoming enemies.

In order for this system to function as it should, there are several key issues that need to be solved - one is the communication and cooperation between the structures, the other is the concealment of the structure, and the third is how the structure reaches the predetermined position and how to maintain the existing structure. trail of.

Communication and coordination issues are basically not a problem for the nest group. The almost buggy ability of group consciousness and spatial synapse exists. Let all cooperation and communication related problems be easily solved.

The principle of space synapse structure is different from any communication method in later generations. It is closer to quantum communication that has not yet been realized. The theory ignores distance. At least it can be realized from the earth to Mars and to the current location of space creatures. No delay, no attenuation of communication, which in a sense gives the nest a natural advantage in doing this kind of thing.

The problem of structural concealment needs to be analyzed from many aspects.

In space, excluding advanced means such as gravitational wave observation, an object is observed mainly for two reasons. One is that the light reflected by the object is captured by the optical observation structure, and the other is that the thermal radiation emitted by the object is captured by the infrared sensing system. Discover.

In the foreseeable future space wars, these two methods will become the best detection methods without exposing oneself. Therefore, if you want to hide in the vast universe, there is nothing more than stealth in the infrared and visible light bands.

However, the two conflict with each other - if light-absorbing materials are used, the surface of the structure will inevitably heat up and produce thermal radiation, which will be detected by detectors in the infrared band. If reflective materials are used, the amount of reflection will increase, making it easier to observe in the visible light band.

But this is not without solutions. It is envisaged that the outer layer of the structure will be wrapped with a special carpet structure, which has a high energy conversion rate. While reducing reflection, it also absorbs thermal radiation and converts it into its own energy. Therefore, the small passive observation structure will not be equipped with a bionuclear reactor and will completely rely on photosynthesis, thermal energy synthesis and radiation synthesis to obtain energy to supply the daily activities of the structure.

In large structures, since the active radar structure is not often turned on, there is no need to install a bionuclear reactor, and the hybrid autotrophic synthesis system can be relied upon to maintain life. The only structure that needs to be installed with a bionuclear reactor is the strike structure containing the electromagnetic gun.

But equally, a blanket structure containing a hybrid autotrophic synthesis system can provide part of its energy while further absorbing the radiation produced by the nuclear reactor to prevent its leakage.

The miniaturization of nuclear reactors is not a problem. In later generations, the main restriction on the miniaturization of reactors is the complex mechanical structure of boiling water. Lin Yi can directly use thermal energy to synthesize, eliminating the process of boiling water and compressing a lot of space. .

However, if you want to drive the electromagnetic gun, you need a large number of electromagnetic column organs and space to store special projectiles. All of these make the electromagnetic gun strike structure the most massive structure among them.

So in the end, there is only one question left - how to launch these large numbers of structures into designated orbits while keeping them in a relatively fixed orbit to play a role in continuous surveillance or forming strike capabilities.

For small structures, the method of launching them is very simple, which is also the main reason why Lin Yi went to the asteroid belt - he only needs to build a large number of large-scale electromagnetic guns on larger asteroids that can reach the limit of current materials, and directly Launch small structures to a predetermined location.

But for large structures, especially strike structures with reactors and electromagnetic guns, such a design is quite unfriendly. The more precise structure means that they may not be able to withstand the smoother but still violent acceleration process of electromagnetic guns compared to gunpowder weapons.

The special characteristics of uranium fuel make it unrealistic to accelerate the structural foundation to a higher speed and then pupate. Moreover, for small structures, the process of decelerating and parking into orbit from the high-speed state during launch, as well as the subsequent continuous orbit change and position maintenance, are also problems that need to be solved.

This means that these structures, no matter how big or small, must have active means of propulsion themselves.

However, the propulsion methods currently available to the nest group are not very suitable - jet propulsion systems such as airborne armor have too low specific impulse and cannot support long-term operation. The same goes for chemical rocket engines, which are not suitable for installation on these structures.

As for nuclear rocket engines, although the working medium has a higher specific impulse and is relatively durable, it is too large and will cause strong thermal radiation during operation, which goes against the original intention of the new structure to remain concealed, making it even more unsuitable.

Therefore, Lin Yi needs a propulsion method that has long endurance, high specific impulse, small size, low temperature of the propellant medium, and does not produce too strong thermal radiation. Correspondingly, the thrust requirements can be reduced.

As for the rocket engine that meets these conditions, after Lin Yi searched his memory and archaeological discoveries on Mars, he found that it really existed.

(End of this chapter)