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Science Forum Index » Nanotechnology Forum » Question: space elevator
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| CG |
 Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:03 am |
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Guest
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[Several crossposted groups removed]
I'm writing it into a short story. Is it possible to
create a space elevator with current or possible
near future tech?
I was thinking that nano-carbon tubing might do it
and I know they are already doing that--saw an article
on it. But with the Earth spinning, would the elevator
spin with it like a satellite or would you need to somehow keep pushing it
to keep it in geosynchronized orbit?
Thanks,
and the reason I occasionally post humor in places like this
is cuz I don't feel that I can contribute much else (at least in
the science categories)...I'm twenty
years out of date on physics and while I love to read about it
as a layperson, I can't follow the math anymore.
--
CG
cganders@myuw.net
**Goals are just DREAMS with DEADLINES!
**Live your life with passion and risk!
website: http://home.myuw.net/cganders
humor blog: Musings and Meanings on NonSensical Events and Canada
http://ahablogolicious.blogspot.com/ (mainly spoof news, light satire and
humor) |
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| Steve O'Hara-Smith |
| Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:54 pm |
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Guest
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On Thu, 29 Jun 2006 06:03:03 -0000
"CG" <cganders@u.washington.edu> wrote:
Quote: [Several crossposted groups removed]
I'm writing it into a short story. Is it possible to
create a space elevator with current or possible
near future tech?
In principle yes - there are materials with sufficient strength to
do the job without an outrageous taper (you could in theory use steel but
the taper required is amazing). Carbon nanotube composites are probably the
best available option. The obvious issues are making enough high grade
composite material and getting it into place.
There's a lot of material available on line - just type space
elevator into your favorite search engine and start reading,
Quote: I was thinking that nano-carbon tubing might do it
and I know they are already doing that--saw an article
on it. But with the Earth spinning, would the elevator
There appear to be several companies actively working on producing
a space elevator - all of them seem to think that it is feasible with
current technology, of course some of them are probably stock market scams
and some too optimistic but there are some pretty serious looking
contenders going with what appear to be well developed plans with
reasonable cost estimates.
Quote: spin with it like a satellite or would you need to somehow keep pushing it
to keep it in geosynchronized orbit?
As long as the centre of mass of it is in geostationary orbit then
it will (to a first approximation) stay put. There will be perturbations
from the moon in particular which will cause it to move about a bit but
AIUI these do not pose any real problem as the whole thing just flexes a
bit. If the loads up and down are not balanced then some corrective
measures would almost certainly be needed.
--
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| Perry E. Metzger |
| Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:55 pm |
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"CG" <cganders@u.washington.edu> writes:
Quote: I'm writing it into a short story. Is it possible to
create a space elevator with current or possible
near future tech?
The following Wikipedia article is a reasonable introduction to the
subject:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator
Perry |
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| deowll |
| Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:56 pm |
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Guest
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"CG" <cganders@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
news:12a6r8nbqr6hr24@news.supernews.com...
Quote: [Several crossposted groups removed]
I'm writing it into a short story. Is it possible to
create a space elevator with current or possible
near future tech?
I was thinking that nano-carbon tubing might do it
and I know they are already doing that--saw an article
on it. But with the Earth spinning, would the elevator
spin with it like a satellite or would you need to somehow keep pushing
it
to keep it in geosynchronized orbit?
Thanks,
and the reason I occasionally post humor in places like this
is cuz I don't feel that I can contribute much else (at least in
the science categories)...I'm twenty
years out of date on physics and while I love to read about it
as a layperson, I can't follow the math anymore.
Carbon fiber nano tubes should be strong enough.
Put the station in a stable orbit that matches the rotation of the earth
directly above the equator, have two elevators and when one goes up the
other goes down. How do you keep this from moving like a pendulum. I'd guess
rockets or jets near the ground.
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| Jesse Spencer |
| Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:10 pm |
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Quote: Carbon fiber nano tubes should be strong enough.
Put the station in a stable orbit that matches the rotation of the earth
directly above the equator, have two elevators and when one goes up the
other goes down. How do you keep this from moving like a pendulum. I'd guess
rockets or jets near the ground.
They way I understand it the climbers would be like a small bug climbing
up the ribbon of a mylar balloon. A soon as the bug pushes off the
tether will always tend to snap to center.
The tether's tensile strength has to be maximized to allow as many bugs
as possible. |
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