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Space Elevators: Low Cost Ticket to GEO?
Crocuta writes "The current issue of Science
News features a cover story
that discusses the current developments in space elevator technology. NASA has been
working on such devices for many years, but private companies such as Highlift Systems are now jumping on the space
elevator bandwagon, no doubt seeing the huge potential profit in a low cost per pound
delivery system. PhysicsWeb has a somewhat
older, but much more technical article
on the formation and structure of the carbon nanotubes that form the basis of the proposed
tether cables. With a development like this, we could shoot entire boy bands into space and make
the world a better place."
We have enough trouble getting stuck on elevators between floors in 5 story buildings. Could you imagine getting stuck half-way to the moon? They better be sure to put one of those bright red emergency phones on this bad boy.
Those of us already in orbit can't wait for the space elevator to be complete. Finally, we can get some cable TV.
Imagine asking for the basement, (floor -1), and getting sent to floor 65535 instead :-).
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"A microprocessor... is a terrible thing to waste." --
GeneralEmergency
cant get much lower
Thanks to file sharing, I purchase more CDs
Thanks to the RIAA, I buy them used...
The problem with something this tall is that it will inevitably be destroyed, and we will be scattered throughout the earth and forced to speak different languages.
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I can just hear the laughter from outer-space:
"GLeebob, come here quick look what those silly humans are trying. Yup, they're trying the ladder-thingy. Remember when we tried the ladder-thingy..Ooooh, that was a dumb-idea. What will they do next, human-pyramid? Come on humans, bang those rocks together..."
"This isn't a study in computer science, its a study in human behavior"
top floor: shoes, ladies ligerie, space. please mind the gap.
Cars will be drawn to the top of the elevator by a team of trained mules, hitched to a rope of a length roughly 1.8 times the circumference of the Earth. We anticipate only minor difficulties obtaining a right-of-way through most nations (with the possible exception of Sweden, because they're lame).
The mules will be fed and cared for by dedicated and highly trained staffpersons. At the end of their useful lifespan, most retired mules will be adopted by loving families everywhere. Unclaimed mules will be shot, as will be unclaimed members of loving families. Irresponsible and gratuitously hostile critics, who clearly do not have the best interests of humanity in mind, will be shot also.
On special occasions and international holidays, children of all races, creeds, colors, and nationalities, clothed in their quaint and colorful native garb, will be invited to throw superballs and apples from the top of the elevator. They will be charged only a nominal fee for this unique privilege. Highly sophisticated surveillance technology will enable all the world to enjoy the festivities!
We are now accepting investments in this historic, one-of-a-kind investment opportunity, not to be missed by the progressive and forward-thinking investors of our great nation. We anticipate incalculable earnings; we also anticipate neglecting to calculate them. Please give us all of your money right now and I promise you'll not regret having been so easily gulled.
"Offtopic, Inflammatory, Inappropriate, Illegal, or Offensive" -- hey, that's me!
Sounds like more of a Shelbyville idea...
"I may be quite wrong." - Socrates
How much could spiders' silk hold if it were that thick?
I can't answer that question, but I *can* say you'd need a lot of friggin spiders...
[voiceover="tom selleck"]
Can you imagine a Beowulf cluster of low Earth orbit space elevators...
[voiceover="tom selleck", tone="enraged"]
SHOVED UP YOUR ASS?!!!
[/voiceover]
(damn Taco, what happened to < & >?!!)
hopefully venus doesn't think we're trying to mate...
aoeu
Instead of spending billions to perfect a safe, efficient delivery method why not just unravel the world's largest rubber band ball; tie them all together; and shoot the boy bands (one at a time for greater distance) into space?
.. and get on board with my idea for space rubberband.
Inspired by RoadRunner cartoons and a 6 pack of beer, I was able to sketch out a design that would launch anything we wanted into space without fear of terrorist attack.
1) Dig hole 2 miles deep.
2) Build giant rubberband
3) Stretch giant rubberband over hole
4) Put cargo on top of rubber band.
5) Tie Star jones to rubber band
6) Drop Big Mac in hole
7) Jones drops. At the low point, right when the rubber band stops stretching, special release latch disengages Star Jones from rubber band thus saving Star Jones for next launch.
8) Cargo goes shooting up into space
9) Star Jones eats Big Mac making increasing thrust for next launch.
Yeah, I know I know.. after a few launches I would have to switch it up with KFC, Taco Bell and BK.
[Sadly, a coworker had to help me with the physics]
Anyone know the email to Nasa so I can get them working on this?
Live web cams
Of course, my estimates are open to dispute, and I could be wrong. But I don't care: the space elevator is cool!
No worries. Welcome to Slashdot.
You'll probably wish it had been a quicky after listening to two weeks of "The Girl From Ipanema".
Microsoft could build this thing *OUT OF* cash!
...to pretend the other people aren't there.
(Like we do in elevators now)
Cake or Death? Cake Please!
Eh?
How many missles travel at 24,000 miles an hour?
Democrats or Republicans. They are both taking us to the same place and they are not afraid of us anymore.