Going Up
I first heard about the concept of a space elevator several years ago, but it wasn't until I read the cover story in the July 2004 Discover magazine that I began to think it might actually be feasable soon. I'm wondering, does anyone think this concept could become a reality soon? From what I've read, if the United States were to actually build this thing, it would give us a virtual monopoly on access to space for who knows how long. Is this really something to get excited about or is the hype far ahead of the technological feasability and administrative resolve of Nasa and the government?
2 Comments:
I wish I could remember the exact quote, but I believe it was Arthur C. Clarke that said something along the lines of the space elevator will become a reality about 10 years after people start taking it seriously.
To my liberal arts mind, it looks like something into which we should at least be putting some serious research.
That said, I'm going to forward this to someone who should be able to provide an informed rebuttal.
Space elevators...I can't believe they will ever work. Looking at current technology, we are not able to do it. Even looking at the near (and maybe distant future), I can't believe that they will be a legitimate means of low Earth orbit (LEO) travel. Here are a few arguments that I have:
1. Atmospheric effects : drag, wind, temperature and pressure fluctuations
2. Counterbalance : to land on an asteroid, we can do that...to capture one and use it as a counterbalance for the Space Elevator...not likely
3. Nanotubes : proven to work under certain situations, but could they possibly hold the space elevator together for hundreds of miles into LEO, not today, but maybe in the future (maybe)
4. Earth's shape : the Earth is not uniformly shaped, neither are the gravitational, magnetic, and electric fields generated by and around the Earth...these will play a significant role in how the elevator can be built and maintained
However, I do believe that it can be possible on the Moon. My reasons against a Space Elevator on Earth would be negated on the Moon (or drastically lessened). If we want a permanent station on the Moon, a Space Elevator may be the ticket to getting on and off of it. Once again, there are many bridges to cross and hurdles to jump before we can seriously consider this.
My comments are my own and not reflective of anyone else's. These are my opinions of the information that I have read on the subject. I am not trying to belittle anyone in their own beliefs and opinions. I will be happy to be proved wrong by Space Elevators, so that I can just push a button and travel into space.
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