Questions tagged [space-elevator]
Questions about a hypothetical transportation system between Earth and space that would not require large rockets to transport payloads.
79 questions
-3votes
1answer
146views
Building a space elevator from space down [closed]
I've put a lot of thought into this. I think the approach of building a space elevator from ground up is not realistic. I believe from space a line could be lowered from a geosynchronous orbit. I ...
0votes
0answers
80views
What's the necessary Delta-v to provide for an interplanetary transfer for a spacecraft released by a space elevator?
This is a question proposed in the final Test of the MOOC "Space Mission Design and Operations" on the edX platform. I'm struggling with the question n° 6. Here is the problem: "You are ...
- 433
8votes
1answer
566views
What Δv is needed to reach LEO from a space elevator?
In two recent questions about space elevators, the topic of reaching non-geostationary orbits came up, particularly the popular Low Earth Orbits. This question is simply about how hard exactly it is ...
- 3,970
5votes
2answers
511views
Propulsion options for orbital transfers after release from space elevator
In a recent discussion of cost estimates of hypothetical space elevators it was mentioned that a space elevator is (obviously) well suited to bring payloads to a geosynchronous orbit while reaching ...
12votes
5answers
4kviews
Would Starship be able to lift mass to orbit (both low and geo-stationary) cheaper than "any" space elevator?
A comment to an answer to a question about Mars missions stated that using Starship to launch mass to orbit would be cheaper than a space elevator. I didn't imagine that. I know that space elevators ...
1vote
2answers
343views
What can possibly accelerate space elevator to these types of extreme velocities?
Is it possible for a space elevator not to just reach speeds of a few hundred km/h, but much faster. Since in the future, people might want to go up to GEO to maybe work there and come back home on ...
- 6,925
-7votes
1answer
331views
Hydrogen-propelled space elevator [closed]
I'm working on a space elevator design using kerosene-burning jet engines and dirigibles supporting 1km stages of pipeline and cable stretching up to the end of the stratosphere (~50km), then using ...
8votes
3answers
3kviews
Why can't buoyancy of air be used to support a mega structure as an alternative to a space elevator?
The reason for asking this question stems from recent articles about large loss of strength of carbon nano tubes with even single atom movement, tested samples showing high vulnerability to space ...
- 99
1vote
0answers
118views
How close are we to a space elevator, materially? [duplicate]
Under the most advanced design of the SE, what are the values of the (tensile) strength and other qualities of the materials needed? What are those of the best materials we have in our hands now?
- 137
4votes
1answer
271views
Does a space elevator ruin most satellite orbits?
A space elevator would offer a direct connection between the surface of the Earth and geosynchronous orbits. While the concept has several severe problems, according to my understanding of orbital ...
11votes
3answers
2kviews
Could a space elevator launch a payload to a solar orbit?
From my understanding, a practical space elevator would require a large center 'station' in geostationary orbit that the cable is attached to, and some form of counterweight on the other side, ...
- 111
3votes
2answers
259views
Could we use Mars as as an asteroid mining base?
After getting a lot of helpful feedback I've arrived at a question: What if we setup base on Mars: I) Mine water, and split it for propellant. II) Load up light weight (expandable?) rockets with it....
3votes
1answer
269views
Do forward thinking launch providers like SpaceX, Blue Origin or Virgin Galactic fund any carbon nanotube research?
Elon Musk has indicated (ex.: Tweet) that he has little interest in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with respect to the concept of an orbital elevator, claiming in essence that the development is simply not ...
- 814
1vote
1answer
212views
Have there been any serious studies into a space elevator?
I know it would be really expensive in the short term, but has anyone actually went and figured out if it would be a good investment, even if it was something as simple as a gas line for orbital ...
- 485
1vote
0answers
138views
How much would reduce the cost of sending kgs to the moon having a 200,000 miles space elevator there?
According to this article/study A space elevator to the moon could be doable Its central element is a cable that would be anchored to the moon and span more than 200,000 miles to a point above ...
- 1,689
