The visionary scientist and sci-fi author Sir Arthur C. Clarke first talked about it decades ago, it has been the dream of SF geeks for almost as long and real science has pondered the likelihood ever since Clarke mused over its possibilities and started pushing for it in the scientific community….and now, it could become a reality, perhaps within the next 50 years are less.
What am I talking about? The Space Elevator.
In November, Japan will play host to a gathering of space engineers, astro-physicists, NASA, Russian, JSEA and ESA specialists, astronomers and scientists from across the world. They are coming together to seriously look at building a space elevator, talk about its true feasiblity, pitfalls, advantages, cost analysis, best location and materials needed for the ultimate Tower of Babel.
The physics behind such a human feat of engineering is not far-fetched, even if the concept may seem so to the uninitiated. Basically it is a simple concept in which a cable anchored to the Earth’s surface will reach up to tens of thousands of kilometers into outer space balanced with a counterweight at the upper end. It would have intermittant platforms at various levels for the elevator passengers to depart or reload until it reaches its final destination in space. The inertia caused by the Earth’s rotation and gravity will cause the giant carbon-tubed alloy of nano-technology to retain its velocity along a straight line and create a geostationary orbit. This is one of the premises of basic high school physics. The cable would remain taunt, but not so rigid that it couldn’t adjust for minor movements, such as those that would be caused by the friction and action of an elevator. However, an impact from an external source of significant force, either on the Earth or along the length of the cable, could reap havoc on the structual integrity and/or geostationary stability of the device. The basic design isn’t far removed from Clarke’s original concept in his “Space Odyssey” trilogy and his novel “The Fountains of Paradise” in which the platforms were way-stations and hotel stops with the end-point being a docking station for spacecraft leaving Earth orbit to travel to the far reaches of space.
In the real world, the gathered scientists and engineers have one basic purpose in mind for the space elevator — a cost effective way to transport people and cargo into Earth orbit and beyond and eliminate the need for rocket ships expending billions of dollars of fuel and resources a year with each launch. While the initial startup costs for such a monumental effort like a space elevator would in itself be in the billions, perhaps trillions, the overall savings over time, some say in as little as 10 years from completion, would be massive when compared to the increasing costs of sending astronauts and cargo into space the contemporary way, especially if space travel is ever to become a means for the common citizen to journey there.
Some scientists at this meeting are proposing that another use for the elevator would be environmentally helpful to the planet. It could be used to ship spent nuclear waste into space and send it into the sun for elimination. Another thought was to use the end of the elevator as a huge solar array with massive panels collecting the sun’s energy so that nearly every home and business could be powered by the energy absorbed by them.
Whatever the outcome from this meeting, the idea of a space elevator is quickly becoming a doable fact. The JSEA is working with the Spaceward Foundation and ESA to develop the design, according to CNN. Also involved are the engineers in the Liftport Group. It has committed 300 different specialists in the field to conquer the concept. Not to be left out, NASA has funded the Space Elevator Challenge to curry ideas for space elevator designs, offering as much as a $4 million incentive program.
With carbon nanotube technology already on the high-end stages of development, with tethers already developed, many scientists think the construction of such a space elevator could begin within the next 12 to 20 years. However, there are still two hugh obstacles to overcome if the space elevator is to become part of everyday life in the near future. One is technical and the other financial. The technical issue will likely be won over soon as new methods of creating carbon nanotubes of sufficient tinsel-strength and length are quickly being developed by various groups that specialize in that field. The second will be harder to solve. The financing involved will be astronomical requiring hundreds of governments and private companies from across the globe to work together in a coherent selfless manner. This aspect of the project could prove more daunting than building a cable that reaches into outer space.
I will side with the late Sir Arthur C. Clarke on this one. In time, if all the planets align in proper order, humanity will find a way to build an elevator to the stars.
Zippy says
The best way to reach out to corporations is to point to the asteroid belt and say, thats where the next gold rush is.
ALibertarian says
I’ve been excited about the space elevator ever since I met the man who started the “Liftport” company at Dragon*Con about 4 years ago. Unfortunately he ran out of money but the project is a great idea.
Unfortunately, people can’t go up this way because the trip is so long (about a week). What the elevator WILL do is lower the cost of putting 1 lb. of cargo in space from ~$10,000 to ~$400!!! That means we can REALLY build things up there! Also, cargo can go up on a schedule. You can PLAN on shipments and not be held up by the vagaries of shuttle launches.
People will be able to go up in small rockets because they won’t have to carry life support for the whole trip, just enough to get there. Supplies will be waiting.
We can build hotels if we want to and vacation in space (frivolous but $$).
We will be able to build launch platforms at a point in space where the vehicle is already out of earth’s gravity well, making interplanetary launches much easier.
When this gets built, space travel won’t be cheap but it will be economical. Manufacturing in zero G environments will become possible, everything will be affected.
YAYYYY!
dreamyacht says
My writer’s mind wanders with the thoughts of it… the thoughts of just what may be out there…and how the hustling mind of the American will try to turn it into the latest entrepreneurial scheme and plot….amazing.