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Anyone still working on Space Elevators? Seems to me, if we could actually get one of those going, maybe interplanetary travel could be much easier and more eco
by gremlinsinc 8y ago
Anyone still working on Space Elevators? Seems to me, if we could actually get one of those going, maybe interplanetary travel could be much easier and more economical. Sure Musk has made great strides with reusable rockets but imagine saving on a lot of the fuel by using an elevator that might not require as much or any rocket fuel (to exit the atmosphere), that could save a bunch as well.
- jkmcf 8y agoSMBC has a book called Soonish[1]. Space elevators is one of the topics covered. The biggest problem, IIRC, is the longest carbon nanotube we can build is only a half meter long. [1] https://smbc-comics.com/soonish/ https://smbc-comics.com/soonish/
- eric-hu 8y agoThis got me wondering. Earth-based space elevators are still out of reach with current technology. What about a space elevator for the moon? If we could build a lunar space elevator with existing materials, could we develop industry on the moon to supply space travel cheaper than the current model?
- eric-hu 8y agoApparently yes, it is possible with today's technology and a lunar elevator could be made to go higher: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_space_elevator https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_space_elevator