【文/观察者网专栏作者 白玉京】 几乎在同一时间点，中国与美国分别抛出了对人类未来的不同设想。 中国宣布要在茫茫星海中寻找一颗与地球大小相近、位于宜居带之内的"地球2.0"，这将可能成为人类 梦寐以求的第二家园。而大洋彼岸，美国总统特朗普签署行政令，启动被称为"AI创世纪计 划"（Genesis Mission）的国家工程，意图以人工智能重塑科学研究体系，其决心与力度堪比当年造原 子弹的"曼哈顿计划"。 两条路线并不对立，却都在回应同一个问题：当我们重新审视人类文明的未来，该把赌注押向哪里？ 这种"巧合"让不少网友想起《流浪地球》中的经典设定：中国坚持推进"移山计划"，试图把地球推向新 太阳；美国保守派占了上风，社会内部则更倾向于"数字生命计划"。 至少在这一刻，中国给出了自己的答案：继续向更深的宇宙追问，寻找地球之外的第二种可能。而正是 在这一刻，人们才意识到，现实往往比科幻更加科幻。 四颗卫星放在一起，体现了中国强大的系统性布局能力——这是中国第一次主动构建的宇宙科学全景 图。从宇宙最初的寂静，到恒星的剧烈活动；从生命潜力的外延，到物理规律的极限，这些任务共同指 向一个目标：在超越人类生命尺度的时间与空间 ...

Core Insights - The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) is a major international scientific project involving multiple countries, aimed at building the world's largest radio telescope to explore cosmic mysteries [1][5][6] Group 1: Project Overview - SKA is a collaborative effort involving ten countries, including China, which plays a significant role in the project [6][7] - The project features two main sites: one in South Africa and another in Australia, chosen for their low light pollution and optimal conditions for astronomical observations [2][4] - The South African site will consist of thousands of 15-meter diameter dish antennas arranged in a spiral pattern to enhance signal reception [2][4] Group 2: Technical Features - SKA utilizes a technique called radio interferometry, allowing multiple antennas to work together to create a larger effective aperture for observing the universe [2][4] - The project is expected to generate massive amounts of data, approximately 8 terabytes per second, which will be processed by supercomputers and shared with scientists worldwide [4][6] - SKA's design allows for high sensitivity and resolution, enabling the detection of previously undetectable faint signals from the cosmos [5][6] Group 3: Scientific Contributions - The MeerKAT telescope, a precursor to SKA, has already achieved significant scientific milestones, including imaging the center of the Milky Way and discovering a giant galaxy [6][8] - The project aims to enhance understanding of cosmic phenomena, such as the evolution of galaxies and the behavior of dark matter [6][8] - Collaboration between SKA and China's FAST telescope is expected to yield new insights into the universe, leveraging the strengths of both facilities [7][8]

SKA是由全球多国出资共同建造和运行的世界最大规模综合孔径射电望远镜，也是中国深度参与的一项 重要国际大科学工程，由位于澳大利亚西部的低频阵列和位于南非及南部非洲8国的中频阵列两部分组 成，因接收总面积约"1平方公里"而得名。 从卡那封镇中心乘车再向西北行驶约90公里，记者抵达SKA南非台址。下车后首先映入眼帘的，是作为 SKA先导项目的南非MeerKAT射电望远镜。卡鲁荒原的广袤天空下，64台直径13.5米的六边形碟状天线 整齐列阵，远远望去就像一支训练有素的军队，步调一致，动作沉稳而精确。阳光下，白色天线的反射 面闪耀着光泽，与荒凉的褐色大地形成鲜明对比。 在距离MeerKAT射电望远镜不远处，伫立着3台看起来略微不同的碟状天线，它们是由中国电科网络通 信研究院负责设计制造的SKA中频天线，也在不时地旋转方向和调整仰角。 SKA中频望远镜总监林赛·马格努斯说，除了这3台已经完成安装架设和1台正在进行测试验证的天线之 外，中国还以实物贡献的形式提供了64台SKA中频天线，其中4台正在现场进行安装架设，另有8台正在 发送途中。 新华社开普敦9月30日电 记者手记｜国际大科学工程中的中国贡献——实地探访平方公里 ...

Group 1 - The event at Olympic Park in Chaoyang District transformed into a science popularization exhibition featuring various national science museums and enterprises, providing innovative technology experiences to the audience [2][3] - The China Science and Technology Museum established three major exhibition areas focusing on cutting-edge fields such as life sciences, space exploration, AI creation, and advanced manufacturing, showcasing significant scientific issues and breakthrough technological achievements [2] - A total of 15 interactive science popularization exhibits were presented, including the "Zuchongzhi No. 3" superconducting quantum computer and immersive VR experiences related to aircraft carrier operations [2] Group 2 - The Chaoyang District Science and Technology Culture Carnival was launched alongside the exhibition, covering topics like metaverse virtual interaction, AIGC creativity, astronomy, space science, and digital healthcare, with 19 themed exhibitions set up [3] - The event featured 30 technology experiences at the Aoyuan Technology Show, allowing attendees to engage in human-machine chess matches and immersive flight simulations using VR headsets [3] - The exhibition also included unmanned retail vehicles and coffee robots providing food services, along with a consumer street featuring various tech brands and cultural creative studios showcasing trendy tech and cultural innovations [3]

Core Insights - The event held at the Olympic Park featured a variety of exhibits from national science museums and enterprises, providing innovative technology experiences to the audience [1] - The event included four main sections: the China Science and Technology Museum themed exhibition, Chaoyang District Science and Culture Carnival, Olympic Park Technology Showcase, and Cultural and Creative Leisure Area [1] Section Summaries - The China Science and Technology Museum set up three major exhibition areas focusing on cutting-edge fields such as life sciences, space exploration, AI creation, and advanced manufacturing, showcasing significant scientific issues and breakthrough technologies [1] - A total of 15 interactive science exhibits were presented, including the "Zuchongzhi No. 3" superconducting quantum computer and an interactive expression mirror, along with displays of smart highways and bionic soft robotic fish [1] - The Chaoyang District Science and Culture Carnival featured 19 themed exhibitions covering topics like the metaverse, astronomy, space science, and digital healthcare [1] - The Olympic Park Technology Showcase offered 30 technology experiences, allowing visitors to engage in human-machine chess games and immersive flight simulations using VR headsets [1]

Group 1 - The article commemorates the life and contributions of Nan Rendong, known as the father of the "Chinese Sky Eye" [1][27] - It highlights his early years at Tsinghua University, where he excelled academically and was a respected class leader [3][7] - Nan Rendong's passion for exploration and knowledge is emphasized, showcasing his dedication to learning and his diverse talents in arts and sports [10][11][16] Group 2 - The article details Nan Rendong's professional journey, including his significant role in developing China's first semiconductor radio and television transmitter [20] - It describes the ambitious project of building the world's largest radio telescope, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), which took 22 years to complete [22][29] - The article notes that FAST made its first significant discovery shortly after Nan Rendong's passing, capturing signals from pulsars, marking a milestone in astronomical research [29][31] Group 3 - The legacy of Nan Rendong is further immortalized with the naming of an asteroid after him and the inclusion of his story in educational materials [31][34] - The article concludes with a reflection on his enduring impact on science and the continued exploration of the universe through the FAST telescope [33][34]

Core Insights - A recent proof-of-concept study published in *Nature Chemistry* demonstrates that existing commercial magnets can enhance oxygen production in space by up to 240% in microgravity environments, potentially allowing astronauts to generate more oxygen for efficient space exploration [1][2]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study highlights the need for efficient and lightweight life support systems for space missions, as current systems, like those on the International Space Station, rely on complex mechanical components and consume significant power [1]. - The process of electrolyzing water to produce breathable oxygen can reduce the need for transporting additional fuel and air to spacecraft. However, in low-gravity conditions, gas bubbles generated during electrolysis do not detach from the electrode surfaces as easily as they do on Earth, which limits the production of fuel and air for astronauts [1]. - Researchers from Georgia Tech and the University of Bremen simulated a low-gravity environment using a drop tower experiment and demonstrated a simple method to remove gas bubbles from the electrode surface during water electrolysis by incorporating commercial neodymium magnets, which enhance the magnetic field and facilitate bubble detachment [1]. Group 2: Future Implications - The findings suggest that this method could optimize water electrolysis devices for future space exploration and travel, although further testing in low-gravity environments is still required [2].

Core Viewpoint - The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) is a comprehensive scientific facility initiated by China and involving multiple countries, aimed at advancing lunar exploration and resource utilization through international collaboration [3][4]. Group 1: Purpose and Goals - The ILRS aims to address four major trends in lunar exploration: significant scientific discoveries, long-term habitation for extensive exploration, collaboration between government and private sectors, and broad international cooperation [4]. - The facility will focus on five scientific and application objectives, including lunar geology, astronomical observations, and resource utilization [6][8]. Group 2: Infrastructure and Capabilities - The ILRS will be a multi-functional facility capable of autonomous operation, with short-term human presence, and will include capabilities for lunar-to-Earth transport, energy supply, central control, communication, navigation, and scientific research [5]. - The construction will involve establishing six major research platforms and support facilities for long-term operations, including transportation vehicles and life support systems [8][9]. Group 3: International Collaboration - Since the initiative's launch in 2017, 17 countries and over 60 international organizations have signed cooperation agreements with China regarding the ILRS [10]. - China aims to engage 50 countries, 500 international research institutions, and 5,000 researchers in the project over the next decade, promoting a collaborative approach to lunar exploration [12].

Core Points - Chinese scientists successfully detected a laser signal reflected from a 10-centimeter diameter retroreflector on the Moon, marking a significant achievement in space exploration [1][4] - This accomplishment makes China the fourth country to complete such measurements, following France, Germany, and the United States [4] - The new generation of lunar retroreflectors offers higher precision compared to previous models, despite being more challenging to observe due to their smaller size and weaker signals [6][8] Group 1 - The laser echoes were received from a set of retroreflectors installed on the lunar surface, which serve as reference points for measuring distances in space [3] - The measurement process involves sending laser pulses from ground observation stations to the retroreflectors and calculating the time taken for the pulses to return [3] - The difficulty of detecting such a small target from a distance of approximately 380,000 kilometers is likened to finding a grain of sand on an aircraft carrier's deck [8] Group 2 - The "Tianqin Project" aims to continuously collect data from the retroreflectors to accumulate high-precision Earth-Moon distance measurements [10] - This data will be used for research on gravitational forces, the evolution of the Earth-Moon system, and will lay the groundwork for future gravitational wave detection in space [10]

Core Viewpoint - NASA, once regarded as a "crown jewel" of the U.S. government, is facing decline due to a loss of public trust and insufficient funding, despite bipartisan support for ambitious goals [1] Group 1: Historical Context - NASA was established in 1958 during a peak in public trust in government, aiming to showcase American superiority [2] - The Apollo program, initiated by President Kennedy, employed around 400,000 people and cost approximately $28 billion, symbolizing American capability and confidence [2] Group 2: Budget Cuts and Challenges - NASA proposed a manned Mars mission to President Nixon, which was met with budget cuts due to shifting public sentiment favoring social programs over space exploration [3] - Nixon approved a budget of slightly over $3 billion annually for NASA, significantly reducing the proposed Mars mission budget [3] - Over the years, NASA has increasingly relied on large private contractors like Boeing, which have been criticized for high costs and poor performance [3][4] Group 3: Shift in Focus and Influence - The U.S. government has shifted its focus towards private companies like SpaceX, reducing NASA's scientific mission and budget by nearly 25% in the 2026 proposal [5] - This shift has granted significant influence to private individuals like Elon Musk, raising concerns about the privatization of public space exploration efforts [5] - The exploration of space, once a collaborative human endeavor, is now increasingly driven by commercial interests, undermining NASA's original mission [5][6]