3 ms·
A cable in geosynchronous orbit isn't a problem. Of course the problem is it won't stay there: the dynamics are likely to be interesting. Now let's do some bas
by wbl 7y ago
A cable in geosynchronous orbit isn't a problem. Of course the problem is it won't stay there: the dynamics are likely to be interesting.
Now let's do some basic arithmetic. Moon is about 10^22 kg. Saying it will move as a result is like worrying that a semi will stop because of a fly.
- marcosdumay 7y agoIf you hang a cable from your home ceiling with a little weight at the free end, what position do you expect the cable to stay? Why do you not expect it to stay down if you hang it on the Moon? The cable in not in geosynchronous orbit, it's in geosynchronous altitude. If it is cut, it will fall into Earth.
- ben_w 7y agoJust to check, are you asking about a tiny cable on the surface of the Moon, or a 1-light-second-long cable where both ends are “the bottom” in local gravity even though they’re on opposite ends of the straight cable?
- marcosdumay 7y agoOh, thanks, I see the problem now. I imagine it would be nailed down at the Moon, even though it 's going "up" on that end too, the Earth end will very likely weight much more than the Moon and pull the entire cable. But the fact that it must be much fatter near the Moon does indeed complicate things.