It was not just an argument.
While stating his position, Lu Zhou immediately explained his views from the perspective of economic significance and scientific research significance.
Considering that Skyglow's Earth-Moon transfer orbit carrying capacity had reached 25 tons, building a space station in lunar orbit was far more meaningful than building a similar space station in low-Earth orbit.
"… The moon is rich in rare earth, titanium, and helium resources. Since we already have the conditions to develop the moon's resources, building a space station on the moon is undoubtedly a better choice."
After hearing Lu Zhou's words, the expert who spoke before couldn't help but stand up and speak with a slightly excited tone.
"But everything has a sequence. I never said that building a space station on the Moon is bad, but why can't we take it slow and build a similar one in low-Earth orbit first? Can you guarantee that the project will be successful if it's directly in lunar orbit? "
Faced with the aggressive questioning, Lu Zhou replied calmly.
"I can't guarantee anything, but I can answer your previous question because we can't afford to wait."
The expert frowned and said, "What do you mean?"
Lu Zhou smiled faintly and continued.
"I'm sure you know that NASA has included the Lunar Orbit Space Station in its 2018 budget. Even though most of their attention was focused on the Ares program, the Lunar Orbit Space Station was ahead of the Ares program. We had reason to suspect that the Congressional Budget Committee had already approved the Lunar Orbit Space Station. If everything goes according to plan, the project will start in 2022. Once the Americans start building their space station, the lunar orbit project will be even more difficult. "
Whispers could be heard in the conference room. The expression on the expert's face kept changing. Although he still had something to say, he hesitated for a while and still couldn't think of a way to refute, so he sat back down.
Yes, as Lu Zhou said, the Moon's orbit was much narrower than Earth's.
Perhaps with the development of aerospace technology and computer technology, the capacity of spacecraft in the same orbit could be increased. However, with current technology, even in the next 50 years, one lunar space station might be the limit of what the Moon could handle.
If the United States launched its lunar space station program as scheduled in 2022, it would be much more difficult for China to build a space station in lunar orbit.
Director Li had a solemn expression on his face. Lu Zhou paused for a second and spoke.
"Yes, just as this professor said, everything has a sequence. The high ground leading to the future is right there. If we don't occupy it now, we'll have to pay a higher price in the future. "
"That's my opinion. I hope everyone will consider it seriously."
"Today's choice may not only affect the outcome of this space race, but also our future a century from now."
This conference had already put a lot of pressure on many people. After hearing what Lu Zhou said, the expressions of the experts and scholars present became even more solemn.
It would decide the future of a century from now …
Damn it, if he got this multiple-choice question wrong, wouldn't he be nailed to the pillar of shame in history?
Otherwise …
Should I let the tall guy handle it?
Originally, the voices of the "low-Earth orbit supporters" and the "moon supporters" were evenly divided in the conference hall. At most, the former was slightly louder than the latter. However, after Lu Zhou spoke, the balance was instantly broken.
Everyone looked at the first row of the conference hall, at Academician Yuan, who was sitting next to Lu Zhou. Especially the supporters of the low-Earth orbit space station, they were all praying for this old man to stand up and say something.
However, contrary to their expectations, Academician Yuan sat there motionlessly. He didn't speak, nor did he express his position. It was as if he was in a neutral position.
Director Li looked at him several times, asking him if he had any more opinions. Even so, Academician Yuan didn't plan on standing up at all.
Everyone in the conference hall who supported building a space station in low-Earth orbit had a look of despair on their faces.
Academician Yuan didn't speak, which was equivalent to giving the initiative to Professor Lu. With the weight of Professor Lu's words, no matter how many people stood up to oppose him, it would be useless.
Not to mention, Academician Yuan had a lot of supporters, so there wouldn't be many people opposing him.
The conference continued for a while, and a few people stood up to speak. Seeing that the discussion seemed to have settled down, Director Li announced the end of the conference.
After the conference was over.
Zheng Xiangdong, the vice president of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, immediately stood up and walked to Exit A of the conference room. He caught up to Academician Yuan and spoke with a pained expression.
"Oh, Professor Yuan, you're sitting next to that kid, why didn't you persuade him?"
Academician Yuan looked at him strangely.
"Why would I persuade him?"
Zheng Xiangdong was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "Listen to what he's saying."
Academician Yuan smiled and spoke.
"I think what he said was pretty good."
"…" Vice President Zheng looked at Academician Yuan with a dumbfounded expression. It was like he was looking at a monster.
After a while, he pinched his eyebrows and squeezed out a sentence. "Wait a second, I'm confused … You and Professor Lu, haven't you always been on bad terms?"
"Who did you hear that from?" Academician Yuan stared at Vice President Zheng and said, "When did I say I didn't like Professor Lu?"
He admitted that he didn't like Lu Zhou, but that was in the past.
Now, he would argue with anyone who brought this up.
Vice President Zheng looked like he was constipated. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"That kid is crazy, why are you crazy too?"
"That's a big project worth tens of billions of yuan! If we build a space station in lunar orbit, how many domestic aerospace companies can get this order? Do you know what this means? Do you know how many families will lose their jobs? "
Of course, what really pained him wasn't the jobs, but the rocket research and development projects of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.
If, in the next five years, most of China's aerospace needs were shifted from low-Earth orbit to lunar orbit, then even if the Long March 9 rocket survived, more than half of China's other research and development projects and production missions would have to be cut.
Zheng Xiangdong sighed heavily and slapped his thigh.
"This brat is really ruthless. He actually played such a trick in order to monopolize the food!"
Academician Yuan stared at Vice President Zheng, who was sighing. He frowned and spoke.
"What are you talking about?"
Seeing that Academician Yuan still didn't understand, Zheng Xiangdong explained.
"Don't you understand? If we build a space station on the Moon, only one domestic company can get the mission from the Moon's surface to lunar orbit! Other companies, including us, won't even have the chance to participate in the bidding! Why else do you think he wants to build a space station in lunar orbit? Do you really think he's that selfless? "
If the space station was built in low-Earth orbit, the carrying capacity of the Long March 5 would barely be enough. Even though the launch cost wouldn't be cheap, it wouldn't be high either.
However, if the space station was built in lunar orbit, it wouldn't be a matter of whether it was cheap or not, it would be a matter of whether it could be done or not.
If they wanted to participate in the bidding for this mission, they would have to wait until the Long March 9 was completed. However, even if they could complete the design and manufacturing of the Long March 9 two or three years in advance, they would have to wait until 2025.
By that time, it would be too late.
After hearing Vice President Zheng's explanation, Academician Yuan's expression didn't change. He stubbornly shook his head.
"He's not that kind of person."
Zheng Xiangdong was dumbfounded. He said, "How do you know he's not that kind of person? Are you his relative or who he is? "
The only way to save the situation was to convince this big name and the other academicians to write a letter to the Communist Party of China.
However, when he saw how stubborn Academician Yuan was, he became angry and anxious.
Isn't this guy always unhappy with Professor Lu's interference in the aerospace industry?
Just what kind of medicine did he take?
Academician Yuan looked at Vice President Zheng, whose face was flushed with excitement, and spoke slowly.
He spoke slowly, "I'm not his relative, and I don't know him well. But just based on the fact that he used his life as a guarantee to fly with the immature Skyglow, I'm certain that he's not the kind of person you think he is. "
"I know what you're thinking, but I advise you to give up."
A warrior who dared to sacrifice himself for the country and for science!
Yuan Huanmin didn't believe that such a great scholar would do something like this for his own selfish reasons.
He was a stubborn person.
Once he was certain of something, he wouldn't change it.
After saying this, Academician Yuan didn't say anything else. Under Vice President Zheng's dumbfounded gaze, Academician Yuan turned around and left.
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