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Space Elevator vs Wildlife

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the check-and-mate dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The longest test yet of the technology that might one day lead to space elevators has revealed some unusual problems. From the article: "There were several unexpected encounters with wildlife. More than a dozen insect egg colonies had been laid on the tether and curious bats flew around the balloons, apparently attracted by the sound made by the tether's vibrations. Late in the test, swallows were also seen swooping down on the balloons, possibly to sip the morning dew on their surfaces." Maybe all the critters just want to go to space too."

2 of 307 comments (clear)

  1. Time..... by jackharrer · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Think how long would it take to travel in that lift to geo-stationary orbit (36000km). Let's say that average lift travels at 2.5m/s. And those are very fast lifts...

    Do the math by yourself

    jackharrer

    --

    "an experienced, industrious, ambitious, and often, quite often, picturesque liar" - Mark Twain
  2. I don't get it. by Yvanhoe · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The thing should be long enough to finally get into geostationary orbit and the test here is made on a
    100 meters long cable ?

    What do they think they'll learn from such a thing ? We have buildings 5 times that high...

    Couldn't they make it at least one kilometer ? 1/36000 th of the distance...

    --
    The Wise adapts himself to the world. The Fool adapts the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the Fool.