Qiongzhou Island, Wenchang Temporary Center.
The Ninth International Multilateral Symposium on Mars Rescue.
“Based on the ground-penetrating radar data from the Soyuz space station, the detection data from the Bird’s Nest base, and our research data on the Martian surface over the years,” Liao Changtian, the head of the teaching and research office, looked up and put down the report in his hand, “Yes, it’s raining on Mars.”
"Why does it rain on Mars?" Chief Designer Yang Jiandong was somewhat taken aback.
“Mr. Yang, I first need to correct one of your misconceptions,” Liao Changtian said. “Any planet with water is likely to have rain, and even the moon, which is closest to us, has long been proven to have water.”
"Where does the rain on Mars come from?" Director Xiao Yimin asked.
“Antarctica,” Liao Changtian replied, “the Antarctic on Mars.”
"Mars' south pole is covered with water ice several kilometers thick, which is close to the thickness of our planet's south polar ice cap. Therefore, we can make an estimate based on this." Liao Changtian wrote a set of data on the blackboard.
“The world’s glacial water volume is about 24 million cubic kilometers, and Antarctica accounts for 90%, which is 21.6 million cubic kilometers. So we can estimate that the water ice content of the Martian south polar ice cap is 21.6 million cubic kilometers.” After writing this, Liao Changtian said, “Of course, this is an inaccurate set of data, because the water ice on Mars may contain a large amount of dry ice composed of carbon dioxide.”
"If it's water ice, why does it turn into rain?" Xiao Yimin continued to ask.
“Recent human research on Mars has shown that there is likely an underground magma chamber beneath the south polar cap of Mars, and I think this time it can be confirmed.” Liao Changtian placed a map of the Martian terrain on the blackboard. “The extent of the ridge lava pipe system of Olympus Mons is much larger than previously estimated. It not only runs underground through Valles Marineris, but also extends all the way to beneath the south polar cap of Mars.”
"The earlier eruption of Mount Olympus caused a sudden increase in pressure in the underground magma chamber, creating a hole in the 'wall' from which magma spewed out, accelerating the melting of the polar cap."
"There's a hole in the wall?" Yang Jiandong asked, somewhat surprised. "How did you see that?"
"The Soyuz space station's ground-penetrating radar is specifically designed to detect the geological structure of Mars. Its radar waves can penetrate several kilometers of rock layers." Liao Changtian pointed to a picture, "We can clearly see from this picture that the magma chamber has a hole. It's about 2,000 meters below the polar ice cap."
"At the same time, the eruption of Olympus Mons released a large amount of heat energy into the Martian atmosphere, which led to a significant increase in the temperature of the Martian atmosphere in the short term, further accelerating the melting process of the polar cap glaciers."
"This is the origin of the word 'rain'."
“This sounds like a good thing,” Yang Jiandong said. “It means that Mars has liquid water, and water is the source of life. Of course, I’m not saying that there will be life as long as there is water, but this will accelerate the evolution of Mars, and perhaps the day when humans colonize Mars is not far away.”
"It's a good thing in the long run, but in the short term..." Liao Changtian placed another picture on the blackboard. "This is a topographic map of the Martian polar caps after melting, calculated by our teaching and research group. The blue areas represent the extent of surface water coverage."
"Hmm?" Xiao Yimin pointed at the picture. "What do the red dots in that blue area represent?"
“This red dot represents the ‘Bird’s Nest’ base.” Liao Changtian pointed to the red dot with the tip of his pen. “At this moment, it is 100 meters below the surface of liquid water.”
!! !! !!
Everyone present stared wide-eyed.
“There’s a considerable distance between the ‘Bird’s Nest’ base and the Arctic Circle,” Xiao Yimin pressed. “Is it possible to build some dikes to divert the water elsewhere?”
“Theoretically, it is possible. The 'Bird's Nest' base is located on a low-lying plain. We have already made a model. If we need to intercept the melting glacial water, we will need to build dams in these 10 locations.” Liao Changtian drew 10 horizontal lines on the map.
"Is this difficult?" Xiao Yimin asked.
"It's not difficult; it's equivalent to the amount of work required to build 10 Three Gorges Dams."
"..."
Just when everyone was at a loss, Brosnan walked in carrying a large cardboard box of documents, dumped them on the table, and piled them up.
"This is all the research data on Mars that the European Space Agency has been able to find over the years," Brosnan said breathlessly. "Of course, this is just one box; there are more than a dozen trucks being unloaded and loaded. I can't carry that many by myself."
"I thought the European Space Agency's research data had sunk to the bottom of the sea as well." Xiao Yimin stared blankly at the documents piled up on the table.
“It has indeed sunk to the bottom of the sea.” Brosnan nodded. “However, there are many Mars enthusiasts in the public, and the data they have preserved is of considerable research value. Since your announcement was released to the world, we have been receiving donations of data from these Mars enthusiasts.”
“So these dozen or so truckloads of data outside are just the data received by one part of the European Union at this stage.” After taking a sip of tea, Brosnan calmed his tense breathing a little. “Research data from all over the world will be continuously shipped over.”
"Then we might not have enough manpower." Liao Changtian stood up. "Those guys in the teaching and research office won't be getting any sleep tonight!"
“By the way, Mr. Xiao, I need to request some rooms from you.” Brosnan stood up and looked at Xiao Yimin apologetically. “Some of our ESA staff members have also come with the ship, and they need accommodation.”
“No problem, Mr. Brosnan. Just talk to the logistics department.” Xiao Yimin nodded and said, “By the way, how many rooms do you need?”
"Not many," Brosnan said, even more embarrassed. "About two hundred."
"Oh, two...two...two hundred?" Xiao Yimin's eyes widened. "Mr. Brosnan, are you going to move the entire European Space Agency here?"
"That's wonderful, Mr. Xiao! I didn't know how to explain it to you." Brosnan warmly shook Xiao Yimin's hand. "I look forward to your guidance from now on, Director Xiao."
"No, why would I ask for your guidance?" Xiao Yimin hurriedly shook his head. "Mr. Brosnan, I was just asking casually. I didn't really agree to move the entire European Space Agency over here."
“Mr. Xiao, you already agreed.” Brosnan looked at Xiao Yimin with innocent eyes.
Xiao Yimin was covered in sweat.
“Everyone present heard it,” Brosnan added.
Xiao Yimin looked at Liao Changtian with pleading eyes.
"Yes, I heard it too." Liao Changtian nodded. "The director did agree."
“You!” Xiao Yimin turned to look at Yang Jiandong again.
"Yes," Yang Jiandong nodded. "I heard it too."
Xiao Yimin slumped into a chair, his hand covering his forehead.
What kind of situation is this...?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com