Is it feasible? Carbon nanotubes and all? Can we make it work?
2007-07-24 16:05:42 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Theoretically yes. Practically, extremely difficult if not impossible.
Linlyons' computation (above) is fine as far as it goes, but does not take into account the decreasing effect of gravity as the elevator gets higher. Thus carbon nanotubes are roughly strong enough to do the job, but with little safety margin. Also, we would have to learn how to make them long enough. Currently we can't even come close.
Satellite hits are a big issue, but some designs have the bottom anchor movable (aboard ship, for example) to avoid them.
The real problem will be micrometeorites, which are unavoidable, unpredictable, and very damaging. Given that CNT's don't have much safety margin, even one such hit might be enough to bring down the cable.
2007-07-24 18:07:52 · answer #1 · answered by Keith P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be feasible eventually, and probably cost less than a month of committing mass murder in Iraq.
Some people here are forgetting that the elevator stops at an altitude of 22,300 miles, the height at which any object will orbit the earth in exactly 24 hours and therefore appear to hover over one spot (if it's in an equatorial orbit as are the communications satellites).
Most of the mass of the space elevator will be concentrated at that altitude, and the link to the earth will be attached to a floating platform which will be able to move if the stresses on the elevator demand it. The elevator will probably have to be flexible vertically as well as horizontally, since no orbit is perfect and must be continually corrected.
The energy saved over time by lifting payloads with the elevator either magnetically or with solar cells will more than make up for its cost and maintenance - and we may end up with several elevators eventually, making the earth look like it has a punk haircut.
As for how long it would take to get to the top, that would vary with the payload. Satellites could be accelerated as quickly as desired, but passengers would have to stay at about one G, 32.2 feet/sec or 22 miles/hour. This is an acceleration, in other words a velocity which is constantly increasing, so it would take much less than 1,000 hours to get there. Besides, there could be many different tourist stops along the way for those who wouldn't want or couldn't afford to go the whole distance.
2007-07-24 16:49:05 · answer #2 · answered by hznfrst 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
now it seems that carbon nanotubes are the only material which would resist the high loads.
i have my doubts anyway
do you rememer this tether experiment onboard the shuttle where they tried to tow a satellite with a long cable ? which later cracked do to unexpected heating caused by a strong electrical current floating through it ?
i really have my doubts if planning can rule out such effects. And even if somone says he's sure it would work .. i bet it wouldn't be build cause nations along te equator would have to accept that this thingy would slap down on them in case it breaks apart. And who can give a warranty along with such a project ?
i bet even if possible it's not being done for political reasons.
people are simple if it comes to such things.
the investigation report for the columbia shuttle breakup features a few emails between people at NASA. And one guy speaks about an issue along with the lunar landings.
he wrote about an issue happenig short before leaving the moon again inside mission control:
as long as people are like that
we not gonna have such an elevator
2007-07-25 00:25:13 · answer #3 · answered by blondnirvana 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be able to? Yes. But remember:
1. Like mentioned, we'll have to spend years in it. If it were even going to the moon only, and it could travel at one mile per minute (as fast as a car on a freeway) and doesn't stop, it would take, (*calculating*), 2/3 of a year to get to the moon.
2. What if an asteroid hits it? And it explodes right in the middle of space with no air?
3. Don't forget to provide plenty of air for everyone.
4. Oh, and don't forget seat belts (gravity?)!
Conclusion: Yes, but very impractical currently
2007-07-24 16:18:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The technology may not arrive while men are still here.
It would be an efficient way to go to a space station in geosynchronous orbit but it would not be free.
Not only the ride up but the power needed to maintain the space station in orbit against the pull of the elevator.
2007-07-25 01:15:47 · answer #5 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it would be possible because of the wind that would be up there and didn't they want to attach it to the space station... well isn't the space station moving... they would have to have the elevator moving extremely fast... no one would be able to get on it... and it would break from the force of moving so fast and being so tall and probably kinda thin... i dont' think there is any matterial that will hold up to a lot of wind that far up... i just don't think that would work... maybe i'm wrong... but i dunno...
2007-07-24 16:33:00 · answer #6 · answered by Storm G. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, then everyone will die from several years of being trapped in an elevator with no food and elevator music. Years of elevator music. [shudders violently] YEARS PEOPLE YEARS [/shudders violently]
2007-07-24 16:09:24 · answer #7 · answered by T-22<> 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well that show sure made it sound possible. Seems to dangerous and unreasonable to me though, with weather and all those asteroids flying around who knows what could happen.
2007-07-24 16:10:41 · answer #8 · answered by sharpie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe. More than likely no because of so many factors against it. Wind, Gravity, Pressures, and the Atmosphere.
2007-07-24 16:10:05 · answer #9 · answered by Snowman6317 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yup,but unless its as fast as the space shuttle ,you wil be dead before you get there.
2007-07-24 16:14:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋