Shocked! The American "Ares" program was launched, and the target turned out to be Mars! 》

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

Lu Zhou, who was sitting at his desk drinking coffee and browsing the web, happened to see this line of headline.

When he went to the Internet to search for the original text of the news and read the text, he couldn't help but smile and shake his head.

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

According to the content reported in the news, NASA will launch the "Ares" Mars colonization program within the year, and use public bidding to split the entire project into several sub-projects, allocate Space-X, Blue Origin and many other space companies in 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 first deliver life support devices to the surface of Mars.

After confirming that the life support devices are functioning properly, the second part of the launch plan will be initiated.

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

From Lu Zhou's own point of view, NASA's sudden announcement of such a plan is undoubtedly a bit hasty. Most surprisingly, Congress had approved the budget for the plan so quickly.

However, accidents are accidents, and it is not that he cannot understand the reason for this situation.

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

In particular, the Tinder program and the manned lunar landing program that will be launched 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 jealous.

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

It is for this reason that NASA has encountered almost no resistance on the Congressional Budget Committee.

On the other hand, although NASA has taken a big step this time, and even pulled the banner of the National Space Committee NSC, in the field of aerospace, even Lu Zhou has to admit that the United States is still a formidable opponent.

It completed the first flight of Saturn V in the sixties, with a low-earth orbit carrying capacity of up to 140 tons, and a terrifying 13/13 success rate. As a replacement for the Saturn V, the SLS system is known as the most powerful delivery system in history.

In contrast, the Long March 5, which made its first flight in 2016, has just reached 25 tons in low earth orbit, but the success rate is only 1/2.

Although the electric propulsion system used by Xiangrui has achieved corner overtaking to a certain extent, the carrying capacity of low earth orbit 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 alone in his research on electrical systems.

At least even before he left Princeton, PPPL Labs had been working on the development of a new Hall thruster for deep space voyages beyond the Earth-Moon system......

Putting down the coffee cup in his hand, just as Lu Zhou was about to finish his lunch break and start working, footsteps came from the corridor outside the door, and soon the sound of knocking on the door sounded from 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 did you come here?" ”

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

In the past, when attending the state banquet, Lu Zhou had a relationship with him and had a brief conversation. Some time ago, there was a banquet in the Blue Room in Stockholm and a meeting of the International Organization for Controlled Fusion Cooperation, which was an invitation he sent on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invite Lu Zhou to attend.

It's just a pity that because of the unfortunate time, I didn't achieve it.

"Of course I'm here to visit you," the old man smiled and walked into the office, "I chose a time after lunch that didn't disturb your work, did I?" ”

"No, please take a seat...... Lin Yuxiang, help pour a cup of tea. ”

"Okay."

After working in the office for more than a year, Assistant Lin has long practiced a good ability to serve tea and pour water.

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

Sitting opposite Lu Zhou, Secretary Yang took a sip of the teacup, and sighed with an intoxicated expression.

"Good tea."

Lu Zhou smiled a little embarrassedly and didn't speak.

This sentence is really difficult to accept.

After all, he doesn't usually drink tea, and every time he gets a little "unlicensed tea" from Shangjing, it is divided up by several old professors from the Academy.

And these things in the office are actually bought on a certain treasure......

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

Lu Zhou coughed lightly and said, "Sort of, the tea is too light for me, and my taste is relatively heavy." ”

Secretary Yang smiled and said: "Haha, I knew that you like to drink coffee, so I brought some coffee beans from international friends when I visited South America last time." ”

Lu Zhou hurriedly said: "Don't be like this, I can't get used to drinking coffee beans, and after drinking it for so many years, I still like to drink instant the most." ”

"Your taste is really unique, don't forget it, I'll keep it for myself," Slightly stunned, Secretary Yang immediately shook his head with a smile, and after a pause, he changed his expression to be serious, and continued, "This time I came to Jinling, firstly, because there is an important diplomatic summit held here, and secondly, I want to ask your opinion for the central government on some matters." ”

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

Asking for an opinion?

I have something to say.

"You should have heard the rumors about the Tinder Project recently," after a pause, as if he felt that this sentence was not accurate enough, Secretary Yang added, "Of course, I mean the international one. ”

Lu Zhou nodded: "I've heard of some...... Any questions? ”

Secretary Yang waved his hand and said, "It's not a big problem, it's just that it involves some exchanges with the international academic community." About two days ago, the International Federation of Biological Organizations (IWB) and the International Science Council (ICC) sent us applications to participate in our Artificial Biosphere programme. ”

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

"What about the higher-ups?"

"There is no decision yet, but there is no refusal," looking at Lu Zhou, Secretary Yang continued, "At present, there are differences of opinion at the top of the hierarchy on this matter, although we welcome international scholars to participate, but after all, this plan is related to our space strategy, and the risks involved are difficult to assess." It just so happens that I am also here in Jinling, and the senior management hopes that I can ask for your opinion. ”

Speaking of this, he looked at Lu Zhou solemnly and continued.

"What do you think is the right thing to do?"