Space elevator ups and downs

alex robinson, irving tx — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 20:08:56 GMT

anyone know what ever happened to the project with the Ion drive and the ScramJet propulsion methods?

Space elevator ups and downs

TG, Springfield Illinois — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:51:18 GMT

It seems to me that powering the climber by a ground-based laser or other wireless energy transmission method would be inherently inefficient; I would look at a self-contained nuclear -reactor powered climber. Also, I'd consider using two climbers attached together by a cable and pulley system, to counter-balance each other. While one descends, the other could ascend, practically pulling the first into orbit. An alternative might be to attach the climber by cable to a large mass that stays in orbit; by raising or lowering the orbit of this large mass, you might be able to raise or lower the climber for little cost. Anyway, those're my thoughts on the concept. This is a very exciting idea which could finally make space travel affordable.

Space elevator ups and downs

Brian Dunbar, Neenah, Wi — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 14:18:05 GMT

TG, The design we're working on is designed to be implemented as cheaply and reliably as possible. Emphasis on cheap to bring the cost of lift down. We want to use wireless energy transmissioni because it's cheaper to leave the motor on the ground, and it lets us devote more lifter capacity to cargo. It might also make the lifter more reliable - there is less to break down. But, yes, this is exciting stuff. It's easy, sometimes, to forget that when you're wrapped up in the day-to-day bits and don't step back to look at the big picture. Brian Dunbar Liftprot

Space elevator ups and downs

Andrew Jameson, San Antonio, TX — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 14:45:08 GMT

TG said - "An alternative might be to attach the climber by cable to a large mass that stays in orbit; by raising or lowering the orbit of this large mass, you might be able to raise or lower the climber for little cost." I don't think this would even be viable. From what I understand, the Space Elevator concept works by keeping it's orbit stable, with one end near ground on Earth, and the other in a Lagrange point. By attaching the climber to a cable and lifting the other end farther from Earth, this would unbalance the entire Elevator, wouldn't it? Also, we'd still have to pay for every ounce of fuel to move that mass farther out into space, so it wouldn't really be cost-effective. The "self-contained nuclear reactor powered climber" would be cost-effective, though. Another idea would be to use the self-regenerating technology a lot of car companies are using for their hybrid cars. They use the brakes of the vehicle to charge a battery, and use that energy from the battery during acceleration. This would cut down the cost of starting and stopping the Elevator significantly.

Space elevator ups and downs

Marion ; Boise, Idaho — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 06:01:02 GMT

Has anyone figured out what all these so-called elevators would do to airplanes and other things that fly around this earth??? Also, you would have to have your satellite in a geo-stable orbit or you would just tear everything apart.. Then if something happened to hit your 'elevator' what would happen to everything and all the area around it where everything would land??

Space elevator ups and downs

Luke Lloyd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:05:57 GMT

I believe a combination of cargo balloon and/or jets to reach a huge high altitude balloon that would surf/kite and/or swim using some sort of airflow current technology through the jetstreams (brainstorm:ramjet,v-wing, lighter than air or not). This massive air terminal or MAT would be attached to a tether reaching a space station in geosynch or any orbit similiar to the earths jetstreams. The cargo could then be zipped up to space from the MAT using a wing or diamond shaped cargo vessel that surfs/curves/kites up into space using the earth's own rotation and jetstreams possibly to help lift it, as well as being pulled electromagnetically up on the tether from the solar powered space station. In case of emergency the tether can be designed to break up into little pieces(each tether section could have a built in parachute or some mechanism to allow a safe landing + recovery) and the cargo heading up into space will detach and use a possible combination glide and parchute, airbag landing system; for safe landing and recovery.

tubes could also be attached to the tether to transport fluids and the space station could refuel similiar to the way jet fighters fuel from a flying tanker.

p.s. I'm wondering if a space station could drag material into space.

Space elevator ups and downs

Kevin Prichard, Scottsboro, AL — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:47:12 GMT

Why couldnt you use multiple cables so failure of one does not drop the load and can be repaired, pulled by ballons up to stations supported by multiple ballons so failure of any one would not cause the whole assembly to fall, and the load would tranfer to the next set of cables as each station is reached?

Space elevator ups and downs

John Powell, Rancho Cordova, CA — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:02:16 GMT

The balloon to space project (ATO, Airship to Orbit), is JP Aerospace.

www.jpaerospace.com

The project is going strong. 87 development flights completed, about 50 to go.

JP

Space elevator ups and downs

Luke Lloyd, saskatoon, SK — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 16:25:36 GMT

wow! www.jpaerospace.com ftw. Seems to me jp aerospace just needs a microsoft or google on board to really get moving.

Space elevator ups and downs

Paul Keely — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:15:32 GMT

Hey.. Did you see patent #7182295? Those guys have demonstrated a working space elevator with broadcast power.

Space elevator ups and downs

Anthony Silvas — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:25:07 GMT

Space tethers can be lowered and raised by how near or far their counter weights are extended. This probably would help in lifting something off the earth, but since im not a scientist, im sure im missing something. the earth is a gravity well, and space is curved, to lift something 10 or 20 miles out of it may require more than a counter weight can supply. Solar energy for the counter weight to move????? anyone? ideas?

Space elevator ups and downs

Brett, HCMC, VN — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 07:19:25 GMT

'Roller ball tether weights' locked on 'grid runs' for mileage allowance (or tether a boat and bending extension- aka 'go fish'). Do tests with multiple tether constructions such as twisted threads, flat threads. Fabulous job trying another method of development!