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Space Elevator May Become Reality

Posted by michael on from the skyhook dept.

mojotek writes: "The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts has a study(15Mb pdf) about the feasibility of a "Space Elevator" comprised of a 22,000 mile long cable built out of carbon nanotubes. In theory, it would be able to carry loads of 20 tons to space without using a single rocket engine. Sounded way too sci-fi for my taste at first, but this article at TechTV actually helped fill in the holes."

14 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. Wonka-Vator? by saarbruck · · Score: 3, Funny

    I didn't see anything in the .PDF about armoring the elevator against Vermicious Knids. It's just that sort of oversight that will be their undoing. Mark my words. Or Roald Dahl's.

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    I am the very model of a modern major general!
    1. Re:Wonka-Vator? by Jonny+Ringo · · Score: 1, Funny

      I don't know what scares me more the 15Mb pdf file or the elevator to outer space.

  2. hold up... by niekze · · Score: 5, Funny

    they want to have a 22,000Km cable to space, but I can't get DSL because I'm 2.3 miles away...

    Grrrr

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    Chaos, Mayhem, and Destruction: Not
    1. Re:hold up... by tunah · · Score: 5, Funny

      Damn americans. Miles are *longer* than kilometres.

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      Free Java games for your phone: Tontie, Sokoban
  3. Okay,. who did that?! by Psiren · · Score: 5, Funny

    Trouble is, if someone farts in the elevator, it's a damn long wait before you can open the door... ;)

  4. Damn! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I guess this obsoletes my "space escalator" idea then, eh?

  5. Re:never will be safe by kilgore_47 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Besides, this "space elevator" would be a giant, provactive, easy target for terrorists.

    If we let that stop us, then the terrorists have already won!

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    ___
    The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason. --Ben Franklin
  6. Re:4 problems I see with the idea... by oregon · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Where do you put the extra length? In the ocean? "

    The other end is in orbit, it can easily move nearer or further the earth

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    Oregon
  7. Fun things to try by WillSeattle · · Score: 3, Funny

    Bungee jumping off the Space Elevator

    Hacking the Space Elevator "this is the down signal"

    Getting Greenpeace to fly a very large flag from the Space Elevator "better than a smokestack"

    Getting a bunch of friends to ride up with you and all sway together so it rocks ... woah!

    Tossing pennies over the railings and watching them burn up on reentry

    Paragliding from the space elevator

    Paragliding onto the space elevator (not for the faint of heart)

    Downloading images from the Space Elevator Coffee Pot webcam

    Taking a dump - has to go somewhere ...

    -

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    --- Will in Seattle - What are you doing to fight the War?
  8. Stuck between floors? by Cruciform · · Score: 2, Funny

    Argh! Damn elevator! Here, let me pry open that door so we can climb---" (Big sucking noise)

  9. Re:[ding] 345,234th floor... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Hmm, wouldn't that be "2nd floor".

  10. Re:Last time this came up on /. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    "Where's that dang spacehook? It was right here a minute ago!"

    "I was downtown and one of those fuckin' spacehooks smacked me upside the head! I gave that fucker a good tug."

    "Giant spacehook leaves trail of destruction through suburbs of Austin; film at 11."

  11. Technology of Indian Snake Charming by torklugnutz · · Score: 3, Funny

    NASA is currently recruiting a team of flute-playing Snake Charmers to coax the cable into the air and keep it there. Send your demo tapes now!

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    Often in Error, Never in Doubt.
  12. Is this article a troll? by cicadia · · Score: 3, Funny

    NASA began considering the concept in June 1999 at the Advanced Space Infrastructure Workshop on "Geostationary Orbiting Tether 'Space Elevator' Concepts" held at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

    GOTSEC? Can this be real?

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    Living better through chemicals