Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Going Up?

Posted by michael on from the keep-arms-inside-the-car dept.

jmiyaku writes "The National Post is reporting that NASA has given a Seattle company a $570,000 grant to continue its investigation into constructing a space elevator. Coupled with some production-grade technology from a Japanese car company (carbon nanotube composites), this elevator could be a reality within 15 years..." The Highlift website has some more information.

4 of 515 comments (clear)

  1. Atmospheric Conductivity Issues by Uttles · · Score: 3, Offtopic

    Mr. Laine said the material, expected to be highly conductive and 30 times stronger than steel, is not yet in production...

    Highly Conductive... the article also states that they are looking for a region of the planet for the anchor where storms and high winds are uncommon. I'm not so sure this is going to eliminate any risks. It seems to me they are going to have to develop this thing so that it can withstand being struck by lightning many, many times. A perfect solution would be something that could actually store and use the power generated by multiple lightning strikes.

    My point is just that we don't really know everything about lightning, and just assuming that because there aren't many storms in the region the cable will not get struck doesn't seem smart to me. A highly conductive lightning rod extending into space seems to me something that would attract electricity, no matter what the weather conditions. I'm just picturing something like a Van de Graaf generator attracting all the loose electrons in the area. They need to develop the system so that it accepts lightning and other electric charges and distributes them somehow, causing no damage, even while cargo is in transit.

    --

    ~ now you know
  2. Re:Just dont take a picture! by InOverMyFeet · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I was just remembering this story. I had an mpeg on my harddrive of carbon nanotubes going up in smoke after a flash. You know people are going to want to take pictures on the 4 hour ride up to space.

    --

    -- Probability does not dismiss possibility --

  3. Re:another 1st ... by virg_mattes · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Based on your comment, even if you're no the first to have sex on this thing, you're certainly likely to be the first asshole to do it.

    Virg

  4. Re:Good idea for nuclear waste? by opposume · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    They sure did! God rest Tom Arnold, Rosie O'Donnel, and Polly Shore just to name a few of the hapless celebs who were seated on THAT ill-fated flight. LOL

    --
    I haven't lost my mind. It's backed up on disk somewhere.