All Questions
Tagged with space-elevatormaterials
9 questions
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
3votes
0answers
473views
Chinese find material to make space elevator. How much will the cable weigh?
The article China has strongest fibre that can haul 160 elephants – and a space elevator? came out today in the SCMP, and I would like to find out how much the cable would weigh. But I'm not sure if ...
- 383
-7votes
4answers
326views
Inflatable Power Line?
Could the weight of a launch tower or some of a space elevator be mitigated balloons? Similar to the children's air inflated jump houses could a tower be inflated with hydrogen/helium with different ...
- 1
13votes
5answers
4kviews
Why does the material for space elevators have to be really strong?
If the space elevator platform (The very top) is orbiting a planet in a geosynchronous orbit, wouldn't the forces on the elevator "rope" be minimal?
- 241
4votes
0answers
156views
What is the specific compression strength of an orbital tower structure?
Taper ratio is a central concept for space elevators and tethers. It tells how much larger the cross section of the tether has to be at one end of the tether, compared to the other. Being a ...
5votes
1answer
738views
Taper ratio for partial space elevator
The calculations for the taper ratio of a space elevator don't seem to be all that difficult and it is easy to find some equations to use. You can even find an expression written out for the total ...
- 16.5k
12votes
2answers
2kviews
Where could we build a space elevator today (2014)?
A space elevator is an interesting concept, allowing for very low cost transit to orbit. Currently we don't seem to have a technology that will provide a strong enough cable to make the climb from ...
- 27.2k
14votes
3answers
1kviews
Between a space elevator on Mars versus the Moon, which would have lower material strength requirement?
On one hand, the Moon has lower gravity, and the gravity from Earth also reduces the distance the it has to span. This is particularly true for EML-1, and a little less so for EML-2. I don't know if ...
- 16.5k
34votes
3answers
3kviews
What technological barriers do we need to overcome to build a space elevator?
The concept of a space elevator unfortunately still seems like one confined to fiction, at least for now. However, I've heard some sources claim that carbon nanotubes could be the first material ...
- 2,053
