4 ms·
There are various simulations of what may happen. Here is one that demonstrates what may happen if the cable breaks at various points. http://gassend.net/space
by tristanj 8y ago
There are various simulations of what may happen. Here is one that demonstrates what may happen if the cable breaks at various points.
http://gassend.net/spaceelevator/breaks/ http://gassend.net/spaceelevator/breaks/
In summary, if the cable breaks at the base, the elevator will fly harmlessly into space. If it breaks at the counterweight, a large portion of the cable (several thousand miles long) will collide with the Earth’s equator.
- cantagi 8y agoThe piece that falls to Earth ends up wrapping faster and faster, this causes centrifugal force on the tip, increasing the tension in the ribbon. Often the ribbon breaks on its way down and some fragments go flying out of Earth's gravity well. I didn't expect this at all. The space elevator would become a space whip. I wonder whether this has a use case, like getting hardened unmanned space probes to speeds required for interstellar missions, or just much faster missions to other planets in the solar system.
- Hextinium 8y agoSpace elevators can be used this way because once the tether goes beyond geostationary orbit the tether is going above orbital velocity. Go far enough and its above escape velocity. So you just drag a probe out far enough and let go and it will escape the gravity well.
- ada1981 8y agoHarmless, except for the passengers.