Would it be possible to tether a satellite to a fixed point on earth?

Question

instead of having it floating around up there, could you tether it to a steel cable or rope, 1 end connected to the satellite, the other connected to a fixed point on earth... the possibilities and advantges with this could be endless, space travel could become much cheaper than it is now, as you could just climb into space...

i realise the earth is rotating at 36'000mph, but would the rotation then become noticable?

Answer 1

It is perfectly possible, provided you use a geosynchronous sattellite (which moves at the same speed as that of earth in the same direction). In fact NASA is currently working on a space elevator based on this principle. For more information about NASA's space elevator go here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator

Answer 2

The concept is known as a space elevator, and although currently not a feasible project, is the subject of ongoing research.

It is perfectly possible, and it has been done already many times, to place a satelite in an orbit that holds it over one point on the Earth's surface. This only works over the equator, and orbital mechanics dictates an altitude of about 25,000 miles. Communications satellites orbit in this belt.

Now, if you had a geostationary satellite you could run a tether from the satellite to the ground, but there is a problem. The cable brings the centre of mass of the satellite lower, and that will make it orbit faster so it is no longer in a geostationary orbit. What you need to do to avoid this is build outwards as well as inwards, so the centre of mass always remains at the geostationary altitude. Provided you get the balance right the satellite will remain in the correct orbit and the cable can be extended right to the surface of Earth. If you get it right it need not even be fixed down, as it will hover over the same point.

The problem at the moment is finding a material that can hold itself intact over 25,000 miles. Most available materials do not have the necessary combination of strength and light weight.

Answer 3

Arthur C Clarke Hypothesized on a space elevator to a geostationary satellite - see 2061 Oddysey 3 (mentioned at the end) using diamond (from the core of Jupiter). Also Heinlein mentions a 'beanstalk' to a space station in 'Friday'.

Answer 4

a geosynchronous satellite is a body 36000 km away from earth, and it keeps a fixed position above a certain point on the surface, a body that is farther away from earth, and a cable connecting it to the surface could create a balance of a sorts, but it requires a very heavy satellite and very light but very strong cable.

Answer 5

It could not be done reasonably or economically.
It would require enormous power to maintain the cable in orbit.
The Geo satellite would be in orbit but as you neared the earth the cable would not be in orbit and would get heavier the closer to earth.
A 22,000 mile cable would be pretty heavy and the satellite would require continuous power to maintain it's orbit.

Answer 6

"They" are working on the idea of a space elevator which could provide in the future cheap movement of heavy stuff up.

Answer 7

Let's add to the fun and make the rope elastic!