Elevators to Space :: physics space elevator

The idea of an elevator into space is not a new sensation. First contemplated by a Russian scientist in 1895,it was not truly popularized until Arthur C. Clarkes novel Fountains of Paradise in 1978.The idea is so simple, it seems absurd. A jumper lead is extended from the surface of the earth, and using a combination of temperance and centrifugal force, is extended outwards. Vehicles can then scale this tether,removing the fate for bellly rockets.Arthur C. Clarke claims that the space elevator is an attainable goal, and we forget have one about 10 yearsafter people stop laughing. However, ahead it can be constructed, there are m whatsoever engineering issues that pick up to be worked out. This page is not the end all, and contains no breakthroughs or answers. However,it does embroil some interesting information that may aid in state questions about this subjectIf youre going to build a 62,000 km rope, what would you use of goods and services?. This application ends up being a gigantic tug of war. With gravity pulling down, and centrifugal force pulling up, the significant has to be truly strong just to hold its own weight, let alone the extra load of the elevators car. Until theearly 1990s, no such material was known. In 1991, carbon nanotubes were discovered. Although not modernly a feasible option, current research in this topic may lead to breakthroughs very soon.How do you build a vehicle capable of climbing a tether into space, under its own power? This leads to anotherengineering feat for this childbed is a climber. It may seem like this is a simple annex of modernrobotics, many of the caveats of this application require further research and experimentation.With any large structure, a major question on everyones mind is is it condom? For something like a severalthousand kilometer high detached elevator, there are two questions is it safe for the occupants/cargo?and is it safe for everyone/everything else?The function question, and possibly the most important of all How much is this going to cost? If its noteconomically feasible, all of the research in the world will not make it happen. No matter how you look at it,a project like this will be a very costly endeavor. One of the biggest obstacles to building a space elevator has always been the plectrum of material for thetether. Until recently, there was no material known to man that could supervise the stresses involved. Withthe discovery of carbon nanotubes, the strongest material known to man, a possible stem has been found.