Space Elevator An Impossible Dream?

bj8rn writes "Three months ago, the dreams of a space elevator finally seemed to be coming true after a successful test. An article in Nature, however, suggests that there's reason to be pessimistic. Ever since carbon nanotubes were discovered, many have been hoping that this discovery would turn the dream into reality. Pugno, however, argues that inevitable defects in the nanotubes mean that such a cable simply wouldn't be strong enough. Even if flawless nanotubes could be made for the space elevator, damage from micrometeorites and even erosion by oxygen atoms would render them weak. It would seem that sci-fi will never be anything other than what it is: a fiction."

Comments

...and in other obvious news...

[Anonymous Coward]

Warp Drives do not yet exist!!!

Re:Damaged by Oxygen?

[damian cosmas]

Ozone is a more likely culprit than dioxygen, so once we pollute the ozone layer out of existance, then the space elevator should be no problem ;)

Wireless Elevators

[9mm Censor]

Just have 2 stations. One on earth, one in orbit. In between the two would be nothing but space.

Have the station on earth "launch" the "elevator" and the station in space "catch" it.

Re:Wireless Elevators

[TheKidWho]

That's called a rocket.

Re:Never?

[dubonbacon]

Especially if you believe in an infinite universe Then it may already have happened!

No imagination.

[AnotherBlackHat]

Pugno, however, argues that inevitable defects in the nanotubes mean that such a cable simply wouldn't be strong enough.

Sheesh, what's wrong with these people?
If the current cable isn't strong enough, there are lots of possible solutions.

For example, the strength of the cable necessary is directly related to the mass of the earth.
One good sized metor at high enough velocity striking the earth, and we could build the elevator out of nylon rope.

Some other methods of reducing the mass of the earth are available here http://qntm.org/destroy

-- Should you believe authority without question?

Re:No imagination.

[Jerf]

ObTrek:

"Easy: Change the gravitational constant of the universe."

"What?"

"Change the gravitational constant of the universe, thereby altering the asteroid's orbit."

"How do you do that?"

"You just DO it, that's all. GAHH! Where is that doctor?"

"What Geordi is saying is that we do not have the ability to change the gravitational constant of the universe."

"Well, then...never mind."

        - Q, Geordi, Data

Re:Lunar Space Elevator

[rho]

Because it costs a lot to go to the moon? Did you think through your question? At all?

Crap

[dfn5]

For example, there are an infinite number of numbers between three and four, but none of them are five.

Crap. You just made my cat disappear. Thanks alot.

Re:Crap

[Anonymous Coward]

Crap. You just made my cat disappear. Thanks alot.

Bah, that's normal behavior for a cat. It'll be back when it gets hungry.

Re:Never?

[kfg]

. . .there are an infinite number of numbers between three and four, but none of them are five.

"You fool," said the mathematician. "Don't you know that if you can only move toward the girl half the distance each time you'll never reach her?"

"Yes," replied the engineer. "But after awhile I'll get close enough."

KFG

Re:Schrodinger? Is that you?

[Zaphod2016]

Hey, some cat just showed up in my living room. What gives?

Re:Never?

[NatasRevol]

Dude, I'm altering my own reality...RIGHT NOW!!!

Re:Never?

[telbij]

It would seem that sci-fi will never be anything other than what it is: a fiction.

Fuck! I guess we'll never make it into outer space. NEVER! *slams head into piano like sesame street musician guy*

Somewhere over the rainbow ...

[Infernal Device]

Dammit! There goes my dream of hopping on the space elevator and punching the button for every floor ...

Re:Is that the only problem?

[Anonymous Coward]

Are you envisioning something that's going to randomly and rapidly maraud across the surface of the Earth or something?

I am now!

Awesome!