Deep Space Wandering Fleet-Chapter 199 - Planet Selection
Chapter 199: Chapter 199 Planet Selection
Chapter 199: Chapter 199 Planet Selection
Upon entering the conference room, Zhang Yuan found many of the experts in attendance beaming with excitement, engaging in very lively discussions. He quickly found himself a seat to settle into.
“Everyone, please remain calm! The most important thing is to choose a planet suitable for development as our main base… At the moment, we have observed six planets, and counting the numerous moons, there are more than ten planets available for selection. However, we must find the best, the most suitable one for development!”
In the large conference room, Captain Zhao spoke solemnly, but his excitement was difficult to hide.
“…Let’s not take this lightly. Next, whether it’s developing the economy, increasing the population, developing industry, or implementing various policies…”
“Our task is still long and arduous!”
Every member in the conference room was eager, and a buzz of lively debate filled the space.
All kinds of policies, including economic policies, cultural policies, social welfare, work plans, and so on, had been discussed for a long time and were basically completed. Anyway, they just needed to be implemented one by one when the time came.
Now the most important thing was still the selection of a planet, the most crucial step.
The mass of this Central Constant Star was merely 0.31 times that of the Sun, with a surface temperature of about 3200 degrees Celsius, and its luminosity was just 1.3% of that of the Sun. Due to the weaker gravitational pull of the star, the six planets were closer to it, resembling a downsized version of the Solar System.
According to astronomical data, the two outermost planets are Jupiter-like planets, that is, gaseous planets. They have a larger mass and are surrounded by several moons with thick layers of ice.
The remaining four are terrestrial planets.
The reason this structure similar to the Solar System formed is mainly due to the “Nebula Theory.”
Due to the excessive heat in the inner star system, molecules with smaller mass like water and methane struggle to accumulate. Hence, the areas closer to the star can only be formed by substances with high melting points, such as iron, nickel, aluminum, and rocky silicates.
The Jupiter-like planets formed outside the colder frost line, and these planets have exceptionally abundant water resources. Since elements with small atomic mass occupy the majority in the universe, these Jupiter-like planets often become massive enough. Once they grow massive enough, they can capture hydrogen and helium, the lightest and most abundant elements, making them even larger.
Essentially, there’s a rocky core at the center of every Jupiter-like planet, it’s just that its atmosphere is thick enough to cover up the core.
Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on ƒгeewёbnovel.com.
After discussing for a few minutes, an astronomer stood up and said, “Everyone, please hear me out!”
The room gradually fell silent.
“If we choose to land on a moon of a gaseous planet, for instance… this moon.”
The screen showed a crater-filled giant ice ball, roughly three thousand kilometers in diameter, somewhat similar to Jupiter’s moon.
“…We can easily obtain more nuclear fuel and water resources. Just like our industrial base on Jupiter’s moon in the Solar System…”
“At present, after a series of decelerations, the fuel reserves in the spaceship’s storage are not sufficient, already below the reserve line by 8%…”
“The mass of the Earth Era is really too great. Each relocation of the Mother Ship will result in a huge consumption of fuel. Therefore, I suggest that the first choice of base location must be well-selected.”
“Of course, if we choose the main base well, based on the current level of electricity consumption, these nuclear fuels can still last for about three thousand years.”
Zhang Yuan furrowed his brow.
Three thousand years may sound exaggerated, but that estimate is based on current levels of energy consumption.
With the rapid development of industry, the demand for electricity is sure to increase exponentially, and soon these nuclear fuels will not be sufficient. The energy consumed in metal smelting and industrial production is enormous, and a growing population will also use up more energy; we are currently only at the bare minimum standard of subsistence.
The astronomer continued, “If we rely on a Jupiter-like planet as a nuclear fuel storage, of course, we won’t have to worry about energy issues.”
“However, choosing the satellites of Jupiter-like planets as landing points may result in a lack of certain heavy atomic mass minerals due to their formation, such as the scarce metals, like scandium, yttrium and lanthanide elements.”
“The absence of these elements would create a significant barrier to industrial development. It’s out of the question to mine all the way down to the planet core, both from a technological and an economic standpoint.”
Sitting to the side, Engineer Ye Kaifu tapped his fingers lightly on the table, weighing the pros and cons. He said softly, “Compared to the more accessible energy, I am more inclined towards easily obtainable resources.”
“Energy does not necessarily have to come from nuclear fusion, fission energy is also an option… even solar energy can be used! Don’t think that nuclear fusion is more sophisticated than nuclear fission.”
“I think so too… when it comes to energy, only the economic and inexpensive options are most suitable,” Zhang Yuan nodded.
The scientist on stage continued, “The second option is the two innermost planets. Especially the one closest to the Constant Star, to call it a metal planet is not an exaggeration!”
“We can easily find all of the scarce metal elements.”
But this planet has its drawbacks: water resources are scarce, organic matter is in short supply, and whether there are uranium mines is another matter.
“…I must say that the Central Constant Star is a variable star, its brightness and electromagnetic radiation are unstable, and it occasionally erupts flares. The planet’s orbital period around the Constant Star is very short, only 4 days, and because it is very close to the Constant Star, the economic losses caused by solar flares must be factored in…”
These are all challenges.
Zhang Yuan frowned. When the Constant Star erupts, as long as the protective measures are adequate, there would not be too much of a problem. The real trouble is that all kinds of long-distance communication would be immediately disrupted. If communication is cut off during an important mission, the losses could be huge.
“…As for those two planets that seem to have abundant water resources, and possess atmospheres, located in the habitable zone, they are not within our current field of consideration.”
“But there is a third option; we could consider a satellite of Gliese 581 g.”
“One of the moons is roughly the size of the Moon… perhaps even slightly larger!”
The screen showed a pockmarked planet once again.
Members of the Scientific Council are rational people, though those two planets have a lot of liquid water and seem to have beautiful environments suitable for human habitation. Even one of them, 581g, from a certain angle, looks exactly like a larger twin of Earth!
Many citizens are already rejoicing on the net about the prospect of interstellar travel.
But…
According to the atmospheric spectral analysis, the deadly gases mixed in the atmosphere, including sulfur hydrogen and ammonium sulfide, have a concentration of 0.02%! That’s enough to cause serious trouble for humans, and even if it doesn’t poison someone, it smells absolutely foul.
Moreover, the mass of this planet is 3.1 times that of Earth, with an atmospheric pressure of about 1.7 times that of Earth’s. Under such high atmospheric pressure, humans would feel very uncomfortable and would have to wear space suits at all times to survive normally.
So then, since it’s impossible to freely breathe the surface air and since various life support instruments must still be carried, it might be better to land on an atmosphere-less planet that’s easier to develop.
