Space Elevator

[Currmudgeon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Dennis I wouldn't worry about it falling ,as it's held in tension by centrifugal (sp ) force . )</font>

The upper end is held in place by orbital dynamics, so-called centrifugal force. The lower end is held in place by something like a city block sized concrete block. The cable in the middle is under tension, and travelling at a non-orbital velocity. The geosynchronous satelite anchor is key to this thing.

So if the cable parts in the middle, both ends are going somewhere with spectacular velocities.

 

[Solo]

They are working on this thing about 3 miles from my house.
The facility is not completed yet. Impressive looking place.
You can see conceptual drawings of it on there web site. ISR
Solo

 

[Ole_Hickory]

Solo,
I am going to have to drive up and check it out. I am about 70 miles away from Fairmont.

 

[Ole_Hickory]

<font color="blue"> So if the cable parts in the middle, both ends are going somewhere with spectacular velocities. </font>

They say a lot of it will burn up on re-entry.
Supposedly it would create less trash than a "New York ticker tape parade".

 

[slowrev]

Are you sure it is not another underground bunker for politicians ?

 

[Solo]

Ole Hickory
It is more impressive in person. You can drive right beside the site. Is that 70 interstate miles south of here? Or as the crow flies?
Solo

 

[Ole_Hickory]

About 70 miles on the road.Actually it is a little further than that. It is 70 miles from Parkersburg to Clarksburg and I am south of Parkersburg about 12 miles.

 

[Ole_Hickory]

<font color="blue"> Are you sure it is not another underground bunker for politicians ? </font>

LOL /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Solo]

Ole Hickory
My in-laws live in Ravenswood.
Solo

 

[AndyR]

If you like Sci-Fi that is written so well you expect it to be fact in a couple of years (and I am not saying the elevator is) - read Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy. Yep, its long (3 books, Red Mars, Blue Mars and Green Mars) but it deals with everything from space elevators to colinization, terra formaing and what happens when a whole lot of ice eventually melts on godd old Earth. Great read and well researched.

I think one of the big challenges (beyond the politics and cost) will be dodging all the space junk and satellites we have in orbit now. 'Taint no such thing as a fender bender at those velocities.