What would happen if we attach a rope to the Moon ?

Question

Anchor the rope on the earth ? and one on the moon ? Could we use that rope to cheaply launch space missions without all that expensive Rocket Fuel ?

Answer 1

The rope would quickly wind itself around the Earth.

Answer 2

As others have noted, a rope to the moon wouldn't work so well, since the moon doesn't stay above the same spot on earth all the time. However, there are proposals for space elevators that would do exactly what you describe (except they're not anchored to the moon, of course).

We've now invented materials that may be strong and light enough for a "rope" into orbit to support its own weight (although I'm sure the construction project would be fraught with technical problems to solve). Thus, a space elevator should be technically possible, and we may well see one during our lifetimes. It would definitely make it much cheaper to haul stuff into orbit.

See the attached link for details.

Answer 3

There are a couple of things that would happen. Assuming the rope is strong enough, the Earth's rotation and/or the moon's orbit would pull the moon towards us while wrapping the rope around the Earth (assuming you just drove a VERY large stake into the Earth to tie the rope to). The mass and momentum of the moon would jerk the Earth out of its now-ideal orbit. Very quickly (less than a day, I would assume) the moon would collide with the earth killing everyone. So, don't get any ideas, Lex Luthjor--lol

Answer 4

To place the rope, you'd have to start somewhere in between Earth and Moon, maybe at L1, and send the rope toward both objects at the same time, to keep the center of mass at L1.

At some point, an ordinary rope would snap because of its own weight before it ever reached ground on either side.

If it were strong enough (e.g., made of carbon nanotubes) to support its own weight, it would start wrapping around the Earth, until either an anchor pulled loose or the carbon nanotube rope snapped under the tension.

A really funny science fiction story could be told about someone who tried a hare-brained scheme like that one. How to Build a Space Elevator Wrong.

Answer 5

The moon would tie the rope around earth and get closer everytime.

Answer 6

It would wrap itself around the earth and drag the moon down to the earth.

Answer 7

There is no material strong enough to support it's own weight at this length. Connecting a Geosink satalite to the ground has been studied and it won't work.

Answer 8

Why don't we just bring the moon closer and build a bridge to it? Then we can just walk there....

Answer 9

Are you related to Peter Griffin ?