Chapter 1254 Space Weapons? Interstellar Fishing Boat!

Although he still had many doubts about Chang Haonan's ideas, Zhou Pingjian still answered questions within his professional scope first according to his habit:

"Under normal circumstances, that is, two-way cooperation between spacecraft rendezvous and docking, such as between a spacecraft and a space station, the accuracy can actually be controlled to a few centimeters or even higher. This is also one of the key technologies that our manned space program is about to prepare for verification."

"But the approach phase and translation phase after entering the docking corridor rely on microwave radar, lidar and optical sensors, especially the last 150 meters or so, which is almost entirely dependent on optical equipment, which requires the installation and calibration of measurement points on the target spacecraft in advance, which is impossible in non-cooperative docking... In fact, in our plan, if even the optical sensor has problems, we have to consider ground intervention or manual docking by astronauts."

Due to increased resource investment and the explosion of achievements in related technical fields, after the successful completion of the Shenzhou V and VI missions, the development of manned space engineering has entered the fast lane.

Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-7 are now almost in the synchronous development stage, and the full-phase autonomous rendezvous and docking plan has been basically determined.

Therefore, although Zhou Pingjian had not prepared any materials in this regard in advance, he was still able to cope with it with ease:

"For example, the space junk this time is a solar panel, which has almost no particularly clear optical characteristics. So we can only rely on satellite navigation equipment and two rendezvous radars. The accuracy..."

He pondered for a moment, and went over the details of the technology at hand in his mind:

"Preliminary estimates show that it can be maintained within the meter range..."

After all, in-orbit docking gives the spacecraft more time to react and control, and ground equipment can also provide measurement and control data with slightly less timeliness but higher accuracy, so it will be easier to achieve the same aiming accuracy than a direct-ascent anti-satellite system.

During the few minutes Zhou Pingjian was talking, many people had already come to their senses and probably understood what Chang Haonan meant.

Anyway, the orbit of space debris No. 40396 will not change in the short term, so there is no need to pursue extreme efficiency. Instead, we can send a spacecraft up to it, and after a long period of orbital adjustment, we can knock it down.

The accuracy judgment of "within meters" mentioned by the former seems to directly confirm the feasibility of this idea.

Some comrades from the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation had thoughtful expressions, as if they were considering which rocket and platform to use to carry out such a mission.

But Zhou Pingjian himself and some more experienced engineers know that things are not that simple.

"Although meter-level accuracy is enough to ensure that the spacecraft in orbit and the target debris collide, the process is essentially the same as the American anti-satellite interception this morning. It must hit a specific location accurately to ensure that both leave orbit and fall into the atmosphere at the same time after the collision."

Xie Yongchun, deputy chief engineer from the Beijing Institute of Control Engineering, who is responsible for planning the Shenzhou/Tiangong ship-station docking plan, immediately explained the specific problem:

"In addition, the structure of solar panels is mainly maintained by a back panel composed of an aluminum frame, glass and an organic polymer. Because there is basically no need to fight gravity in space, the strength of this structure is generally not very high. It is very likely to break during a collision, generating new and more threatening space debris."

Zhou Pingjian, who had just taken a sip of water, added another situation that needs to be considered:

"The size of 4500mm*1500mm*25mm is based on the design drawings of the UARS satellite. In fact, considering that it has experienced a very violent collision before, this solar panel is likely to be bent now and may not be a standard shape."

Astronauts on the International Space Station had previously only visually observed the debris passing by. Although the human eye can see farther in space than in the atmosphere, it is still difficult to determine the specific shape without any prior preparation.

The atmosphere in the conference room, which had originally become a little more optimistic, returned to a somewhat dull state as several operational problems were raised in succession.

Academician Wang Zhiyong, the previous chief designer of manned space flight who just stepped down, was also present at the scene, but he had not expressed his opinion just now.

Especially after hearing Chang Haonan's thoughts, he kept his head down, thinking about something.

And now he finally raised his head:

"If the window time is extended, I think we can use the robotic arm to complete Academician Chang's idea. The planning of our space station phase II project includes the part of combined robotic arms. There are similar mature technologies abroad, but the positioning and control accuracy at this stage is not very optimistic. It is more suitable for releasing rather than grabbing spacecraft..."

This obviously brings a completely new solution, and the conclusion is much more optimistic than before.

Soon someone took over the conversation:

"According to the Russian Space Agency's report and our own observations, the time is not very urgent. If there are no accidents, it is estimated that there will be no risk of collision with the International Space Station within one or two years..."

"..."

Discussions on related topics were in full swing, but Chang Haonan, who first proposed this idea, never spoke again.

On the one hand, his habit is to listen to other people's concerns and doubts first after putting forward his own ideas, and then solve them in a targeted manner.

On the other hand, the previous expression of "catch it" is indeed not quite accurate.

So during this period of time, I used my not-so-skilled drawing skills to draw a schematic diagram on a notebook.

Then, taking advantage of the moment when no one else was speaking, he said:

"The robotic arm is indeed a very promising technology, but as Academician Wang just said, it will take a relatively long time to prepare, and it is best to strike while the iron is hot to clean up space junk No. 40396... After all, given the United States' advantage in public opinion, if it drags on for a few years, it will be difficult to have enough international influence by then."

After saying that, he tore off a piece of paper from the notebook in his hand and handed it to the staff member next to him, indicating that he should put it on the stage of the projector.

Even though the staff had received special training, they almost couldn't hold back their laughter after receiving it.

While the other party was operating the equipment, Chang Haonan continued to introduce without changing his expression:

"Strictly speaking, what I meant just now was to use a flexible rope net to catch this space debris!"

As expected, this was another stone that caused a thousand ripples.

"Net down?"

Zhou Pingjian held the cup in his hand, his arm frozen in mid-air, and for a moment he even forgot to continue drinking water.

The rest of the people also whispered to themselves:

"You mean like a racket?"

"I think... maybe more like a fishing net?"

"Wouldn't it be better if it was combined with a mechanism similar to a harpoon?"

"..."

Chang Haonan was not in a hurry to explain in depth.

It wasn't until about half a minute later that what he had drawn on the paper appeared on the screen.

The painting is indeed a bit abstract, but fortunately it is not difficult to understand.

After rendering it in your mind, simple lines can become extreme colors.

(Drawn by Mr. Chang↑)

(Rendered by the audience using their own filters↑)

At this time, he continued:

"The rope net capture has two very obvious advantages. First, the flexible material can effectively reduce the collision that may occur during the capture process. By controlling the interceptor body, it can be used to capture at a distance of 100 meters or even farther from the target. It is very safe. Even if the capture fails once, it will not cause irreversible serious consequences."

"Secondly, the rope net is a sparse structure that can cover a considerable space range with very little material. A flying net weighing more than ten kilograms can capture an area of ​​several hundred to thousands of square meters. The accuracy requirements for identifying and measuring space debris and guiding and controlling space tugboats are relatively low, making it very suitable for dealing with such huge and spinning space debris."

"Thanks to the above two factors, the interceptor can use a small satellite platform with relatively mature technology. It only needs to have basic orbit adjustment, positioning and payload power supply capabilities. The production and launch costs are relatively controllable..."

"..."

As his introduction became more in-depth, the eyes of hundreds of participants gradually became thorough and clear.

Some of those whose businesses are related to this have already taken out pen and paper and started to consider whether there is any area where they or the project team behind them can play a role.

Even the chief who was watching the meeting via video over the Internet had a hint of interest in his eyes.

This plan is not only highly feasible, but also sounds fantastic enough.

It has a romantic touch of space opera.

Even for people who don’t understand technology at all, it’s hard not to be attracted.

Although this plan is bound to have its own difficulties and challenges, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the decision-makers are interested and the executive level is very active, so it is likely to be approved.

Then, we need to start considering further issues.

"Academician Chang, ... there is also a non-technical risk that needs to be considered"

Director Sun Yanlai's tone was quite cautious.

He didn't really want to spoil the fun at this time, but this was his job, so he had to step up and play the good guy:

"Broadly speaking, your proposal is a type of co-orbital interception system, so like other spacecraft of the same type, it is likely to be hyped up by some malicious public opinion as a long-term space weapon in orbit..."

“That’s why I just said that timeliness is very important.”

Chang Haonan had already prepared a plan for this:

"The outside world has not yet received any confirmed information about space junk No. 40396. We can announce as soon as the news is detonated that we are willing to take the initiative to assume international responsibility, eliminate the adverse effects caused by the US's willful behavior, and disclose our disposal plan to directly shut up others."

"Of course, the term rope net capture is indeed too sensitive. It will easily make people think of anti-satellite technology, so we have to change the name, such as the space tugboat plan, or the interstellar fishing boat plan..."