Need opinions and guidance building a space elevator.

[Jazz Ad]

As of today the technology to build a space elevator isn't complete.
Mainly, we miss the proper materials for the cables.

There is so much potential to it though that dozens of teams work on it. As soon as it becomes possible, it will be built.

 

[David Jayne]

Sure. Just as soon as we clean up the junk.

 

[David Jayne]

Sure. Just as soon as we clean up the junk.

 

[Jazz Ad]

There also are a lot of researches and projects to collect or sink cosmic debris.

 

[David Jayne]

Indeed. There'd better be.

 

[placedesjardins]

Why?
Why did someone resurrect the space elevator thread?
WHY!?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[skychief]

As of today the technology to build a space elevator isn't complete.
Mainly, we miss the proper materials for the cables.

There is so much potential to it though that dozens of teams work on it. As soon as it becomes possible, it will be built.

They originally planned to use Carbon Nanotubes as the material for the orbital tether. But when they do the math, CNT's would provide only 66% of the necessary tensile strength required for a cable or ribbon structure 22,000 miles in length.

So, you're right, Jazz, to date there are no materials suitable for this application.

There's other tech snafus as well; oscillations or a wobble caused by weather or other disturbance could spell disaster for the space elevator even if the orbital tether were strong enough.

They're hoping to build this by 2050. I'll be long-dead so I'll miss all the fun. But some of you younger whipper-snappers might actually see this crazy idea actually come to fruition.

I predict that other, more practical and cost-effective means of lifting payloads into space will eventually render the space elevator concept obsolete.

 

[Gazman]

I could have walked there by now.

 

[Funky Ghost]

Damn, I remember this thread

 

[basscooker]

Not even a week ago a co-worker mentioned this concept in a conversation about radioactive waste disposal. I lol'd. Weird how this thread suddenly gets bumped.
"cue Twilight Zone theme"

 

[Funky Ghost]

I am reading a Sci Fi series that had an elevator in it. Unfortunate things happened. . .

 

[HaphAsSard]

I am reading a Sci Fi series that had an elevator in it. Unfortunate things happened. . .

Pohl?

 

[Fat Freddy]

One word.....Lego.....

 

[Funky Ghost]

Pohl?

No, but I've read Frederik a ton The book Friday has one as well if memory serves. The series I'm currently read that has an elevator is the Revelation Space series by Alastair Reynolds.

 

[Downunderwonder]

One word.....Lego.....

Do the maths on a pyramid of Lego. It would probably melt under its own weight before you can get taller than Mt Everest.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Do the maths on a pyramid of Lego. It would probably melt under its own weight before you can get taller than Mt Everest.

Do the maths?....Are you mad???........

 

[MJ5150]

Put a black man in the elevator with you. He'll always die first when things go wrong.

-Mike

 

[HaphAsSard]

No, but I've read Frederik a ton The book Friday has one as well if memory serves. The series I'm currently read that has an elevator is the Revelation Space series by Alastair Reynolds.

I see (I think I found the one, Chasm City). I was thinking of Annals of the Heechee - which, by the way, I need to bring myself to finish if I want to know how the series ends. I really wasn't enjoying it when I put it down though.

 

[ZenG]

How long does it take to go that high in an elevator.?

I can only stare straight ahead looking at the door and ignoring the other people for so long..

 

[Radio]

I am reading a Sci Fi series that had an elevator in it. Unfortunate things happened. . .

I know your answer, but another one is the Red Mars/Green Mars/Blue Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson.