3 ms·
Firstly, the tether of a space elevator could be tethered (EDIT: tapered), which reduces the required tensile strength a bit. Secondly, there are some intermed
by ant6n 10y ago
Firstly, the tether of a space elevator could be tethered (EDIT: tapered), which reduces the required tensile strength a bit.
Secondly, there are some intermediate space elevator-like constructs that have similar ideas but are much more feasible. For example the skyhook (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyhook_(structure) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyhook_(structure)). Rather than tethering to the ground it would 'hook' into the air at high altitude, and rotate the earth at high but airplane achievable speeds. There are a lot of engineering challenges, but its theoretically possible with existing materials.
- Terr_ 10y ago> Firstly, the tether of a space elevator could be tethered Uh... Aren't connectors already supposed to be connected?
- ant6n 10y agoOops, typo. I meant tapered. As in varying in width. You could imagine a tether that has a 5mm diameter at the surface (in a sort of ribbon shape), but has a diameter of 500mm at the geostationary orbit. According to this (http://sustainable-nano.com/2014/04/01/space-elevator-a-lasting-dream-for-a-sky-reaching-tree/ http://sustainable-nano.com/2014/04/01/space-elevator-a-last...) a carbon nanotube has a factor between ground and orbit of 1.6 or so, and for steel it's something crazy like 1.6e33.