3 ms·
You'd still need to climb the tether. How will you do that, with what kind of energy source? Rocket motors?
by DemocracyFTW2 2y ago
You'd still need to climb the tether. How will you do that, with what kind of energy source? Rocket motors?
- Someone 2y agoSolar cells, either on the ‘car’ riding up the tether or on the ground or in orbit, either beaming up/down power or with a ‘third rail’ on the tether.
- JumpCrisscross 2y ago> How will you do that, with what kind of energy source? Rocket motors? The idea of an elevator is you only have to go up. With a rocket, you have to go both up and over. Rockets would work. Solar power would be better—the 2 kW array (~100 sq ft) needed [1]is more than doable; you could use a smaller panel with batteries, too. Surface nuclear of the kind we’re already developing [2] might also make sense, though now you need lasers. [1] https://www.niac.usra.edu/files/studies/final_report/1032Pearson.pdf https://www.niac.usra.edu/files/studies/final_report/1032Pea... [2] https://www.space.com/nasa-moon-nuclear-reactor-project-first-phase-complete https://www.space.com/nasa-moon-nuclear-reactor-project-firs...
- rzzzt 2y agoSpace cable car? It is only a marginal increase in costs to pull a second cable.
- Jerrrrrrry 2y agoMicrowave ion beam from the array of solar panels. Isaac Arthur not being linked in any Futurology thread may be a criminal disservice in its own way, he is too valuable a light to not share with others. He is the XKCD of all things in the Future. Space Elevators & Orbital Tethers : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc8_AuzeYKE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc8_AuzeYKE Lunar Space Elevators : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g4TZbG2WsU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g4TZbG2WsU