Elevators to Space :: physics space elevator

The idea of an elevator into space is not a new one. First contemplated by a Russian scientist in 1895,it was not rattling popularized until Arthur C. Clarkes novel Fountains of Paradise in 1978.The idea is so simple, it seems absurd. A tether is ext fetch uped from the surface of the earth, and using acombination of gravity and outward-developing force, is extended outwards. Vehicles can then scale this tether,removing the need for costly rockets.Arthur C. Clarke claims that the space elevator is an attainable goal, and we will have one about 10 eldafter people stop laughing. However, before it can be constructed, there are many engineering issues thatneed to be worked out. This page is not the end all, and contains no breakthroughs or answers. However,it does include some interesting information that whitethorn aid in answering questions about this subjectIf youre going to design a 62,000 km rope, what would you use?. This application ends up beinga gigantic tug of war. With gr avity pulling down, and centrifugal force pulling up, the fabric has to be precise strong just to hold its own weight, let alone the additional load of the elevators car. Until theearly 1990s, no such material was known. In 1991, carbon nanotubes were discovered. Although notcurrently 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 project is a climber. It may seem like this is a simple extension of modernrobotics, many of the caveats of this application require further research and experimentation.With any large structure, a major(ip) question on everyones mind is is it sound? For something like a severalthousand kilometer high freestanding elevator, there are two questions is it safe for the occupants/cargo?and is it safe for everyone/everything else?The last 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 expensive endeavor. One of the biggest obstacles to building a space elevator has always been the choice of material for thetether. Until recently, there was no material known to man that could carry off the stresses involved. Withthe discovery of carbon nanotubes, the strongest material known to man, a possible solution has been found.