Chapter 718 "Aris" Project

"Shock! The American "Ares" project was launched, and the goal turned out to be Mars! "

The office at the end of the corridor of Jinling University School of Mathematics.

Sitting at his desk drinking coffee while browsing the webpage, Lu Zhou happened to see this line of title.

When he searched the original text of the news on the extranet and read the text, he couldn't help but shook his head with a smile.

"It seems that Americans can't sit still."

According to the content reported in the news, NASA will launch the "Ares" Mars colonization plan within this year, and use the method of public bidding to split the entire project into several sub-projects and assign them to Space-X, Blue Origin, etc. Aerospace enterprises of the United States and its allies, and recruit volunteers from all over the world.

According to what has been disclosed, the entire plan will be divided into three parts. The first part is to deliver life support devices to the surface of Mars.

After confirming that the life support device is functioning normally, the second part of the launch plan will start.

That is, launch a manned spacecraft to Mars and send 2-3 colonists to the "New World" to prepare for the follow-up colonization plan.

From Lu Zhou's point of view, NASA's sudden announcement of such a plan is undoubtedly a bit hasty. What surprised him the most was that Congress approved the budget for this plan so quickly.

However, accidents are accidents, and it's not that he can't understand the reason for this situation.

The series of policies launched by Huaguo in the field of aerospace, as well as the cornering overtaking of Xiangrui in electric propulsion technology, have deeply stimulated the most sensitive nerves in the United States.

In particular, the Tinder program and the upcoming manned moon landing program in mid-February not only let the White House see China's determination to develop outer space resources, but also made the White House feel afraid.

After all, aerospace technology is not only a guarantee of national defense power, but also a part of the national glory of the United States.

It is precisely because of this that NASA has encountered almost no resistance in the Congressional Budget Committee.

On the other hand, although NASA has made great strides this time, and even pulled the flag of the National Space Commission NSC, in the field of aerospace, even Lu Zhou has to admit that the United States is still a strong opponent.

It completed the first flight of the Saturn V in the 1960s, with a carrying capacity of 140 tons in low-Earth orbit, and a terrifying success rate of 13/13. As a substitute for the Saturn V, the SLS system is known as the strongest delivery system in history.

In contrast, Huaguo's first flight of the Long March 5 in 2016 has just reached 25 tons in low-Earth orbit, but its success rate is only 1/2.

Although the electric propulsion system used by Xiangrui has achieved curve overtaking to a certain extent, the low-Earth orbit carrying capacity has only reached the order of 50 tons. And due to the shortcomings of the electric propulsion system in terms of thrust, it is difficult to further increase this figure.

And most importantly, he is not the only one who is researching the electrical system.

At least before he left Princeton, the PPPL laboratory has been working on developing a new type of Hall thruster for deep space navigation beyond the Earth-Moon system...

Putting down the coffee cup in his hand, just as Lu Zhou was about to end his lunch break and start working, footsteps came from the corridor outside the door, and soon there was a knock on the door.

Lin Yuxiang who was sitting at the door stopped writing and got up to open the door, and soon a hearty voice came from the door.

"Long time no see, Professor Lu."

"Secretary Yang?" Stopping the pen in his hand, Lu Zhou cast an unexpected glance at the door, got up and said with a smile, "Why are you here?"

This Secretary Yang is none other than the second in command of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

When attending a state banquet before, Lu Zhou met him once, and had a brief conversation with him. Some time ago, the Blue Room dinner in Stockholm and the meeting of the International Controlled Fusion Cooperation Organization were invitations sent by him on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, inviting Lu Zhou to attend.

It's just a pity that due to unlucky timing, I didn't achieve it.

"Of course I'm here to visit you." The old man smiled and walked into the office. "I specially picked the time after lunch to come. Didn't it disturb your work?"

"No, please sit down... Lin Yuxiang, help me pour a cup of tea."

"okay."

After working in the office for more than a year, Assistant Lin has already mastered the skill of serving tea and pouring water.

In less than five minutes, a cup of hot tea and a cup of instant coffee were placed on the coffee table.

Sitting opposite Lu Zhou, Secretary Yang took a sip from his teacup and sighed with intoxication.

"Good tea."

Lu Zhou smiled a little embarrassedly, but did not speak.

This sentence is really not easy to answer.

After all, he himself doesn't drink tea usually, and every time he gets some "unlicensed tea" from Shangjing, he is divided up by several old professors from several colleges.

And the ones in the office are actually bought from a certain treasure...

The old god put down the teacup in his hand. Secretary Yang glanced at Lu Zhou's cup, and asked with a smile, "Professor Lu likes coffee?"

Lu Zhou coughed lightly and said, "Well, the tea is too light for me, and my taste is rather strong."

Secretary Yang smiled and said, "Haha, I knew you liked coffee, so I brought some coffee beans from my international friends during my last visit to South America."

Lu Zhou hurriedly said, "Don't be like this. I'm not used to drinking coffee beans. After drinking for so many years, I still like instant coffee the most."

"Your taste is really unique, don't forget it, I'll keep it for myself," Wei Wei was stunned for a moment, then Secretary Yang shook his head with a smile. After a short pause, he put on a serious expression and continued. "This time I am here in Jinling. Firstly, there is an important diplomatic summit to be held here. Secondly, I want to ask your opinion on some matters for the Central Committee."

Putting down the coffee cup in his hand, Lu Zhou glanced at him in surprise: "What's the matter?"

Ask for an opinion?

I have something to say.

"You should have heard the recent rumors about the Tinder Project." He paused for a moment, as if he felt that this sentence was not accurate enough, so Secretary Yang added, "Of course, I mean the international one."

Lu Zhou nodded: "I've heard of some... Do you have any questions?"

Secretary Yang waved his hand and said: "It's not a big problem, it just involves some exchanges with the international academic community. About two days ago, the International Federation of Biological Organizations and the International Science Council both sent us Apply and hope to participate in our artificial biosphere project."

After vaguely guessing something, Lu Zhou nodded thoughtfully and continued to ask.

"What's the plan of the higher-ups?"

"It hasn't been decided yet, but it hasn't been rejected." Looking at Lu Zhou, Secretary Yang continued, "At present, there are differences of opinion at the high level on this matter. Although we welcome international scholars to participate, this plan is after all It is related to our space strategy, and the risks involved are difficult to assess. It happens that I am also here in Jinling, and the senior management hopes that I can ask for your opinion."

Having said that, he looked at Lu Zhou solemnly and continued.

"What do you think is more appropriate?"