Would a Earth-Moon conduit be feasable to transport objects?

Question

I have read many sci-fi novels introducing this concept. Not mass drivers but an actual tube that connects both bodies in able to send/recieve objects, What phisical /logistical limtations does this present?

For those of you referring to it as a "hoe" as in the type you could buy at home depot... I am not talkint about that, There is scinetific backing for such a proposal (home depot notwithstanding) It is much more complex than I have made it sound in my brief question, I am looking for qualified astrophysics faculty to answer this one. They will be familiar wit the program that I mention. This is not a lay-mans question. There is scientific background going back to the 70's regarding this,

I remember the book...http://www.futurist.com/archives/space/space-elevators/
It was a proposed 'space elevator' and many of the glitches had been rectified. I think the main deterrent was cost and neccessity. It IS feasable though if the right technology is employed.

And, to whomever responded about re-entry; it doesn't apply. The re is no 're-entry' so it is a moot point. You are confusing an orbital object re-entering earth atmosphere from space. This project is not related. A structure that reached into outer space as a single structure has it's own problems totally seperate from anything known so far. I do beleive it is possible, but it would be a monumental endeavour. The moon has appogee and perigee, some 60k miles of differential throughout it;s cycle. Such a construction would have to have a expandable/retractable ability or simply be allowed to drift whenever the moon didn't cooporate. This does not make it impossible. Whenever mankind dreams, mankind creates reality.

Dr. --- BUT given future technology and research is this not a feasable idea? I undertstand that this space elevator would only have certain docking options and would mostly be free floating due to the movements of the moon.

But like with all space missions, there is always window of opportunity and when utilized we have an uncanny ability to make our mark without inceident.

Sci fi or not? If it is in the realm of possibilites while remaining open minded about future technologies do you think it will ever be possible in some form?

Answer 1

the tube would have to have no mass like an energy tube and the moon would have to remain over the same spot on earthbut if you could make the tube you could just end it in spacethen remove the atmospheare from inside it items could be sent to orbit with minnimal thrust.

Answer 2

Hi there...

Your question asks what physical limitations might there be in
hooking a hose or something like that from the Moon to the
Earth...

Well, so far there has never been a hose or pipe built that was
250,000 miles long.

Next problem...what good is a hose or pipe from the Moon going to be if it is whipping around the Earth at unbelieveable speed?
It will not be possible to plug it into anything because it is moving so quickly. Remember that the Moon circles the Earth.

Oh, I almost forgot, that thing about objects heating up when they re-enter the Earth's atmosphere... Guess what... The tail end of that hose dangling down there in Earth's atmosphere is going to get hot, really hot. Five gets you ten it will burn up in nothing flat.

Now, the biggest logistical issue is how to get that huge hose up into space? Current space payloads run somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000 (or more) per pound. So how much would this thing weigh?

Physical limitations slam right into any attempt to make something that long and hang it vertically. The suspended weight of the hose or pipe will almost guarantee breakage at heights above one half mile. That is about the limit for a single strand of wire or string. And, that is not even close to 250,000 miles long.

I think that this is a rather impossible idea. Any storm or tornado would place the entire mess right in someone's back yard, or rather across 20 or 30 states. And, the FAA would have fits if it did not have blinking lights all the way up to about 75,000 feet. You would not want to build it and have it cut down by a jet air liner. Right?

Answer 3

You are missing the point! The moon is not geostationary. It does not stay above a fixed point on the Earth. This has nothing to do with apogee and perigee or details of the orbit. Fasten a conduit at both ends and it will get wrapped around the Earth.

The space elevator concept you are referring to was an idea to reach some fixed (geostationary) point above the Earth and despite the optimism of the pseudo-science web page you referred us to, there are still huge un-resolved problems with the concept.

Answer 4

Even though the moon's orbital period and rotational period are the same --synchronous orbit--(a synodic month, or a full moon cycle) it still wobbles over that time slightly, called libration. This libration is very slight, but since the moon is 200,000 miles away from the Earth, it would have a LARGE effect, and would probably break whatever structure we could come up with.

It would be really sweet though...

Answer 5

Never read about that particular idea, but, not feasible because the moon is not a geostationary object.
You could, feasibly, according to Arthur C. Clarke, build one partway there, buttttt, I can't remember the name of the story..

Answer 6

what r u saying