2006-12-12 21:28:23 · 8 answers · asked by NONAME 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
1) the space station would have to be in geo-synchronous orbit (stay in the same spot above earth at all times)
2) the cable would have to withstand all of the winds of the upper atmosphere
The problem is not with the weight, the station on the other end would keep it up. Also, the cable would be moving and thus help keep itself aloft, for the same reasons that the space station does not come crashing to earth.
2006-12-12 21:50:36 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An assumption is needed to answer your question.
unless the space station were in geosynchronous orbit the point on the earth and the space station would constantly be in motion relative to each other. I therefore assume that it is about 30,000 miles up to the station.
no material yet discovered or invented has the strength to support it self to that height. The forces due to the weight of the cable would tear the cable apart.
2006-12-13 07:30:46 · answer #2 · answered by anonimous 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something like this would be very heavy. I imagine it would fall crashing to the Earth and would pull the space station down with it. It would have to be a cable that could support its own weight from the ground up into space.
2006-12-13 05:30:37 · answer #3 · answered by spacecampkate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ISS orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes. The cable would get wrapped around the Earth and weigh more than the ISS. There is no conventional material that is strong enough to withstand the resulting tension.
Stick with Soyuz
2006-12-13 06:15:23 · answer #4 · answered by Zefram 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nice username....
My answer - escape velocity. You would have to accelerate the tip of the cable to the velocity of the space station in order to achieve orbit.
Let's say that your cable is made of steel, is 16" diameter, and has to be 20,000 miles long.
You cable weighs 71.6 TRILLION pounds. Buddy, that is a butt-load of steel.
Hey - there's always business school.....
2006-12-13 09:31:30 · answer #5 · answered by www.HaysEngineering.com 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would have to go through the earths atmosphere.
2006-12-13 05:36:44 · answer #6 · answered by keeky.c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because we can fly there. Why take a cable car or skyway tram?
2006-12-13 05:32:54 · answer #7 · answered by Leash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it would weigh several tons and would be impossible to place
2006-12-13 05:32:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋