talk 3 space elevator

7/27/2019 Talk 3 Space Elevator

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Space ElevatorsMichael Howard

10-31-12


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Pros and Cons

Benefits

Cheaper space travel

Allows for many more trips into space

Problems

Requires a very strong and light material

Will be costly to build


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What is a Space Elevator?

Rope attached to the Earth near theequator which extends directly into spaceand is attached to a small counterweight in

geostationary orbit

Will be able to transfer materials andeventually humans into space for much

cheaper than it costs now


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Why Does the Tether Stay Up?

Because the force ofgravity at the bottomand the

upward/outwardcentrifugal force atthe top competekeeping the rope taut


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The Platform

Will be placed along the equator so it willbe located in the same place in the sky forground observers

Built on a ship so it can be moved


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The Tether

Will be made of 22,000 mile long carbonnanotube strands because it is currentlythe only option which has the proper

strength and is light enough

Will need to be wider at geosynchronousaltitude where it will experience the most

stress and taper down as it approachesearth


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The Climber

It will be powered by lasers and solarpower

It is estimated that the climb will takeabout 5 days


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Climber


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Counterweight

Captured asteroid

Space station above geostationary orbit


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Benefits

Currently, the cost to launch a shuttle isabout $10,000/lb

Mechanical lifters attached to cable couldcarry cargo up to space for about $100 to$400 per pound


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Elevator vs. Rocket

While rockets will undoubtedly improvegreatly in efficiency there is a limit to howefficient they can become

The elevator will be the next step


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Space tourism

A space elevator could help many peoplerealize their dream of traveling into space


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Problems with the elevator

Will require a strong material such ascarbon nanotubes which we dont currently

possess the ability to form into a long

enough tether

Will the public be convinced it is a goodidea


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Cost to build it

The space elevator will be the longeststructure ever built but it will be simple

Estimated cost to build the space elevatoris about $10 billion

Approximate cost of building a spaceshuttle is about 1.7 billion and it costsabout $450 million per mission

Endeavor completed 25 missions beforebeing retired


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Would it be Safe?

Space debris

Cable snaps

Storms Terrorism


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Conclusion

The future of space travel

Would set us on the path towards expanding ourspace exploration to places might never reach

relying solely on rockets Philip Ragan, co-author of the book "Leaving the

Planet by Space Elevator", states that "The firstcountry to deploy a space elevator will have a 95percent cost advantage and could potentiallycontrol all space activities."


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References

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/space-elevator.html

http://www.howstuffworks.com/space-elevator.htm

http://www.spaceward.org/elevator

http://phys.org/news151938445.html http://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridg

e-making-carbon-nanotubes.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/space-elevator.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/space-elevator.htmlhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/space-elevator.htmhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/space-elevator.htmhttp://www.spaceward.org/elevatorhttp://phys.org/news151938445.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.htmlhttp://phys.org/news151938445.htmlhttp://www.spaceward.org/elevatorhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/space-elevator.htmhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/space-elevator.htmhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/space-elevator.htmhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/space-elevator.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/space-elevator.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/space-elevator.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/space-elevator.html

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