4 ms·
Space Elevator here we come! Edit: Y'all don't know about the Space Elevator ? There was a competition to figure out how to get a thing to climb a really long
by sova 5y ago
Space Elevator here we come!
Edit: Y'all don't know about the Space Elevator ? There was a competition to figure out how to get a thing to climb a really long rope to space... This looks like it could do it
- LargoLasskhyfv 5y agoIt needs a 'fluid' to work. I think there is not enough of a 'fluid' to work with above a few (dozen) miles, or so.
- dstick 5y agoThis “fluid” term always throws me off :) Then I’m reminded of Fluid Dynamics from my Vfx days. Playing around with 3d fire and smoke never gets old!
- failwhaleshark 5y agoI have a pet-peeve about people using the word "fluid" as an adjective. When it is spoken though, at least it doesn't sound like "moist."
- pjerem 5y agoIsnt rope the real challenge (in term of physics) of the Space Elevator ?
- sova 5y agoYeah, that's definitely the main issue. A winner of a competition used lasers to heat the solar cells on a robot causing it to climb a ribbon. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18122-space-elevator-wins-900000-nasa-prize/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18122-space-elevator-... But as you astutely mention, how do we construct such a ribbon? ... Great question.
- failwhaleshark 5y agoSingle-crystal graphene is the leading candidate material. I guess we just need a continuous graphene-making builder robot. If it were me, I would arrange a dozen or so ribbons in a circular configuration for redundancy with a platform climber made mostly from carbon fiber and covered in multilayer insulation.