Comments on: Progress on Space Elevator Technology

By: Brian Dunbar

Brian Dunbar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:44:02 +0000

Wireless power transmission _is_ a key technology for a space elevator. Also – they very reasonably want to get paid now, instead of 30-40 years from now: focusing on the building blocks makes a lot of business sense.

I shudder with the very thought.

The real answer is ‘nobody knows’: we can’t say for certain until we know what material the cable will be made out of.

But simplistically, the bit below the break comes down and in, the bit above goes up and out.

We know the material for the cable will be light and strong, yet it won’t be able to maintain integrity if it de-orbits: stuff is gonna burn up. The bits that don’t, nearest the ground, will make a mess, but can be reeled back in.

So – messy, but not a disaster.

By: Xinavera

Xinavera — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:24:05 +0000

Not low earth orbit at all. Geosync a full 40,000 km up. It would take a long, long time at 11 mph, but it’s definitely a start.

In my opinion, skyhooks/pinwheels are a better way to go since they would be substantially smaller and not have to bother with climbing the cable.

By: arnoldlawrence

arnoldlawrence — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:30:46 +0000

The thought that came into my mind when i first read this article was what would happen if that cable had to give way? I shudder with the very thought. http://www.cypress.com/

By: pwscott

pwscott — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:32:31 +0000

I’ve been waiting a long time for this to pan out. The tether idea on Star Trek Voyager made this look very plausible.

By: coalitionforspace

coalitionforspace — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:54:22 +0000

While, of course, this is crazy awesome, it would be even better if Lasermotive was seriously working on space elevator technology instead of just using this as a proof of concept for their wireless power transmission technology.
http://www.spacecoalition.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/11/7/Uplifting-News- Space-Elevator-Winner-Claims-900000-NASA-Cash-Prize

Still, very cool.

By: thatguy

thatguy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:36:22 +0000

just 159 more kilometers to go!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit

By: Johnny Cat

Johnny Cat — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:03:45 +0000

Dean Ellis (RIP) made a great illustration of the concept-
http://www.sci-fi-o-rama.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/high.wire.jpg