This star is going to the moon

Chapter 234 Earth-Moon Internet System, Your Security Needs to Be Strengthened Again

When the veterans thought Lu Yun had finished with one big job, they didn't expect that Lu Yun had more to do.

"On Earth, we have communication satellites, remote sensing satellites, navigation satellites, and other satellites. The various constellations they form provide convenience for our lives."

(Image from the internet, model of a lunar research station)
Pointing to a simulation of the lunar research station, Lu Yun asked, "So, who will support the work of the lunar research station on the moon?"

"Humanity is entering a new era of lunar exploration and development. In the future, many unmanned probes and manned spacecraft will successfully land on the moon and operate on its complex surface."

"Including the large number of unmanned exploration devices I mentioned earlier, they all require more accurate navigation information and smoother, high-capacity communication support, so building a complete lunar communication and navigation constellation is essential."

"The deployment cost of unmanned exploration equipment is definitely much lower than that of manned equipment. So even if astronauts are stationed on the moon, I think the main focus will be on unmanned exploration, and manned exploration will only be carried out when there is a special need."

"To accomplish this plan, we need to establish a deep-space internet in lunar orbit with multiple functions such as communication, navigation, and remote sensing. This would allow astronauts stationed on the moon to remotely control unmanned equipment for more flexible exploration from within the lunar base..."

Lu Yun's plan was actually very simple: to move the system from Earth to the moon.

Of course, it's the simplified version.

And because current technology is advanced enough, it is not necessary to spend a lot of resources to build from scratch; it is even possible to build an extremely resource-efficient "castle in the air".

Just like the "Zhou Tian Xing Dou Da Zhen" and "Starlink" systems currently under construction, they are basically just moving base stations into space.

It certainly can't compete with urban networks, because human cities are, in essence, magnificent wonders built at great expense.

However, for remote, sparsely populated areas that are not suitable for building base stations, the existence of a space-based internet system is very appealing.

Especially in the ocean, islands, and air, it is an invincible force.

Once the space-based internet is built, the entire surface of the Earth will be covered by the network, and there will be no "out of service area".

Of course, what we are building now is only the first generation of space internet. To use the network smoothly, we will need a tablet antenna the size of a laptop and a large battery, which is a kind of mini base station.

The second-generation space internet allows direct connection to satellites via mobile phone, without requiring additional equipment.

However, these all refer to large-scale civilian use; special applications are another matter.

The things used on the moon will definitely not be related to "large-scale civilian use" in the short term, so we can use more advanced technology to make a batch of integrated satellites that include communication, navigation, remote sensing and other functions, unlike the "Starlink" satellites which only have communication functions.

China currently has an advantage in the field of unmanned exploration, and it will definitely continue to develop this advantage. However, there is a communication delay of several seconds between Earth and the Moon, so only equipment such as lunar rovers can operate autonomously.

However, these devices have limited intelligence, so their efficiency is very low, making it easier to control them remotely.

The only solution is to send people to the moon, establish an internet connection there, and allow people to remotely control unmanned equipment from the moon.

However, Lu Yun's plan is a huge undertaking, even larger than the entire "Chang'e Project," and the relevant agencies really need to plan it carefully.

However, many people believe that the plan should be approved.

After all, all the technologies in this plan are readily available, so there's no need to develop new technologies; all that's needed is to integrate the existing technologies.

What a coincidence! Lu Yun's most famous theory is the "technology integration theory," which suggests that technology can be used directly. For example, the planned probes don't need to return to Earth, so they don't need the complex architecture of Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6; they can directly use the technology from Chang'e 3 and Chang'e 4.

Chang'e 3 and 4 only weigh a little over 3 tons, so they do not need to be launched by heavy rockets like Chang'e 5 and 6, which weigh more than 8 tons. For example, Chang'e 5 was launched using the Long March 5 rocket.

The original Chang'e 3 and 4 probes used the "hard-working" Long March 3B rocket, but the new probe can be launched using the Wanhu rocket recovery mode with an upper stage added, which can save a lot of costs.

Furthermore, because the mission objective is clear, it does not need to carry as many detection devices as Chang'e 3 and 4, allowing it to carry fewer devices and free up payload mass.

This way, the probe can carry one or two smaller lunar rovers, which will greatly increase the exploration efficiency.

Or, to put it another way, point acquisition efficiency.

It doesn't require spending a lot of time and resources to overcome new technologies, nor does it consume a lot of funds, and it can still conduct more exploration of the moon!

The higher-ups will most likely be interested.

After all, the bottom line for funding the manned lunar landing project was 500 to 700 billion yuan, but Lu Yun went straight for 300 billion yuan.

The tens of billions saved can now be spent in new places.

Furthermore, as the largest industrial nation, China knows best that large-scale mass production is the key to maximizing profits and ensuring that research and development costs are not wasted. Chang'e 3 and 4 spent a lot of money on research and development but only carried out two missions, which seems like a loss no matter how you look at it.

If we could build one or even a dozen of them in this new plan, it would at least make us feel a lot better.

"...With the Earth-Moon Internet in place, astronauts will be able to watch TV, watch sports, and use Wi-Fi on the Moon, ensuring they won't be lonely while on the Moon."

Lu Yun said with a smile, "The subsequent deep space internet can be extended to the solar system. If there is such a large system in a wider and larger area, I can't even imagine the scene."

Upon hearing this, everyone leaned back tactically.

You've really dared to dream!
The meeting lasted three days, but some people couldn't take it anymore on the first day alone.

For example, Director Zhang.

What he couldn't stand was different from others. After the meeting, he chatted with Lu Yun and sighed, "You asked me about security yesterday, but after today I feel like your security level is about to be upgraded."

"No need," Lu Yun said, rolling his eyes. "When the project is implemented, it can be directly integrated into the 'Chang'e Project,' and the veterans of the 'Chang'e Project' can continue to preside over it. There's no need to mention me at all."

Director Zhang shook his head: "I can't leave you out of this. You said yourself that they are veterans. If a manned lunar landing can really be achieved in two or four years, do you think they can complete this new big project in three years?"

Lu Yun scratched his head, and it seemed to be true.

If they follow the path of their predecessors, they will definitely prioritize "stability." If they really want to achieve a manned lunar landing in two or four years, it would be good if they could launch a probe and two satellites as a preparatory step within three years.

It would be too difficult for a single probe to find a suitable landing site and base construction site for a manned lunar mission.

Unless you hit the jackpot.

(End of this chapter)