[CN] China proposes magnetic launch system for sending resources back to Earth

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China proposes magnetic launch system for sending resources back to Earth

A Chinese research team has proposed an innovative lunar launch system consisting of a 50-meter rotating arm powered by a high-temperature superconducting motor, solar panels, and a nuclear reactor. This system is designed to recover more than 70% of the energy consumed during launch by converting kinetic energy into electricity during deceleration. The rotating arm would accelerate for 10 minutes to achieve the moon's escape velocity of 2.4 km/second before releasing its payload, primarily helium-3, on a trajectory toward Earth. Helium-3, a potential fuel for fusion reactors, is abundant on the moon but scarce on Earth. The team estimates that 20 metric tons of helium-3 could meet China's annual electricity needs, while 1 million metric tons could satisfy the world’s energy needs for over a thousand years.

The proposed system is expected to weigh around 80 metric tons and could operate for at least 20 years. However, its construction will require the development of China's Long March 9 and Long March 10 super-heavy launch vehicles, which are essential for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, expected to be completed by 2035. The team aims to develop the key components by 2030, with full-scale implementation by 2045.

The project’s estimated cost is 130 billion yuan (18.25 billion USD), but the potential revenue from mining helium-3—estimated at 100 billion yuan annually—could offset this. However, significant challenges remain, including the extraction of helium-3 from lunar regolith, stabilizing the rotating arm on the moon's rugged surface, and ensuring the system's durability in extreme lunar conditions. The team acknowledges these technical and logistical hurdles but sees their system as a crucial part of China’s long-term lunar development plans for the late 2030s and 2040s.

Source: Based on info from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technolo ... r-AA1psQP0 Accessed 2024-08-27