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Space Elevator An Impossible Dream?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the sniffle dept.

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."

5 of 448 comments (clear)

  1. Wireless Elevators by 9mm+Censor · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

    1. Re:Wireless Elevators by TheKidWho · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's called a rocket.

  2. No imagination. by AnotherBlackHat · · Score: 4, Funny

    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?

  3. Crap by dfn5 · · Score: 5, Funny
    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.
    --
    -- Thou hast strayed far from the path of the Avatar.
  4. Re:Never? by kfg · · Score: 5, Funny

    . . .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