Can we build an elevator to the moon?
New study suggests that a lunar space elevator could be built for about $1 billion using existing technology. Since the dawn of the space era more than six decades ago, there’s been just one way to get to the moon and back: rockets.
What if we built an elevator to space?
On top of easy traveling, a space elevator would also open up some new energy possibilities. If we place giant solar panels along our ribbon, they could collect far more energy than panels on Earth and radiate it back at a low cost. This all sounds good in theory, but it also comes with a lot of obstacles.
Is it possible to build a space elevator on Earth?
The cable thickness is adjusted based on tension, it has its maximum at a geostationary orbit and the minimum on the ground. Available materials are not strong enough to make an Earth space elevator practical. Some sources have speculated that future advances in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could lead to a practical design.
Are carbon nanotubes strong enough to build an Earth space elevator?
Available materials are not strong enough to make an Earth space elevator practical. Some sources have speculated that future advances in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could lead to a practical design. Other sources have concluded that CNTs will never be strong enough.
What are the different types of space elevator?
There are a variety of space elevator designs proposed for many planetary bodies. Almost every design includes a base station, a cable, climbers, and a counterweight. For an Earth Space Elevator the Earth’s rotation creates upward centrifugal force on the counterweight.
What is the main technical problem with space elevator cables?
Cable section. Historically, the main technical problem has been considered the ability of the cable to hold up, with tension, the weight of itself below any given point. The greatest tension on a space elevator cable is at the point of geostationary orbit, 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth’s equator.