Elevator into Space
SPACE ELEVATORS By M.Vasishta Saraj
11011A0145ContentsIntroductionImportanceHow to build
them?ComponentsChallengesConclusionINTRODUCTION
Courtesy:google images Pyramids of Giza 482 feetEiffel tower 984
feetEmpire State Building 1250 feetBurj Khalifa 2717 feet
Courtesy:google images How tall can we build a structure?Is sky
the limit of a structure?Space ElevatorWhat is a space elevator? It
would consist of a cable attached to the Earth near the equator
which extends directly into space and is attached to a small
counterweight above geostationary orbit.
Courtesy:google images How to build them?
By attaching a counterweight at the end (or by further extending
the cable upward for the same purpose), thecenter of massis kept
well above the level of geostationary orbit. How does the cable
stay up?The force of gravity at the bottom and the upward/outward
centrifugal force at the top compete keeping the rope taut
Courtesy:google images Why build them?Cheaper space travel:Will
be able to transfer materials and eventually humans into space for
much cheaper than it costs now.Currently, the cost to launch a
shuttle is about $10,000/lb or 14lakh rupees/kgSpace elevators can
reduce these costs to as low as $100/lb or 14000 rupees/kg
Energy production:There is no air in space, so the collecting
surfaces could receive much more intense sunlight, unobstructed by
the filtering effects ofatmospheric gasses,cloudcover, and other
weather eventsSolar energy collected from space is 144% of the
maximum attainable on Earth's surface.
Courtesy:google images Space tourism: A space elevator could
help many people realize their dream of traveling into space
Courtesy:google images Economic growth of a country: As the
amount incurred for launching a space shuttle is reduced to a large
extent, most of the countries would show interest in launching
their space shuttles using these space elevators increasing the
economic growth of the country.ComponentsBase
stationTether(cable)Climber
Base StationThe base stations can be classified into two
categories: a)Stationary base station b)Mobile base station
Courtesy:google images The TetherWill be made of 22,000 mile
long carbon nanotube strands because it is currently the only
option which has the proper strength and is light enoughWill need
to be wider at geosynchronous altitude where it will experience the
most stress and taper down as it approaches earth
Courtesy:google images The ClimberIt will be powered by lasers
and solar powerIt is estimated that the climb will take about 5
days
ChallengesSpace debrisCable snapsStorms and lightning
ConclusionThe future of space travelWould set us on the path
towards expanding our space exploration to places might never reach
relying solely on rocketsPhilip Ragan, co-author of the book
"Leaving the Planet by Space Elevator", states that "The first
country to deploy a space elevator will have a 95 percent cost
advantage and could potentially control all space activities."
Referenceshttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/space-elevator.htmlhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/space-elevator.htmlhttp://www.spaceward.org/elevatorhttp://phys.org/news151938445.htmlhttp://nextbigfuture.com/2009/01/cambridge-making-carbon-nanotubes.html
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