Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

I would like to know if any of the science / engineering types believe a space elevator is something that ever will happen, or should happen. If so, what do you believe is the time frame? Seems to me that carbon fiber tech is advancing to the point that we ought to have something strong and light enough to do the job before long.

Re: Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

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I would like to know if any of the science / engineering types believe a space elevator is something that ever will happen, or should happen. If so, what do you believe is the time frame? Seems to me that carbon fiber tech is advancing to the point that we ought to have something strong and light enough to do the job before long.

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Do you know how much carbon fiber would be needed to build such a thing? Ignoring all technical issues, who could ever in the foreseeable future afford it to the point that it would be beneficial to build and operate?

Re: Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

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Do you know how much carbon fiber would be needed to build such a thing? Ignoring all technical issues, who could ever in the foreseeable future afford it to the point that it would be beneficial to build and operate?

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Clearly you missed this. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

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Do you know how much carbon fiber would be needed to build such a thing?

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No.

Re: Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

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Do you know how much carbon fiber would be needed to build such a thing?

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No.

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Off the top of my head, I'd estimate maybe the equivalent of 1 million B-2 bombers.

Re: Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

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Off the top of my head, I'd estimate maybe the equivalent of 1 million B-2 bombers.

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What was this estimate based on other than the top of your head?

Re: Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

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Off the top of my head, I'd estimate maybe the equivalent of 1 million B-2 bombers.

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What was this estimate based on other than the top of your head?

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Nothing. But think about the size of a B-2 bomber and the size of a structure needed for a space elevator. Six degrees of magnitude difference is a fair initial guess.

If you want more exact, say the height needed is 15000k, and a B-2 bomber has a wingspan of about 70m and it takes two B-2's per 70m, thus 15,000,000/70*2 = 430,000 B-2s (within an order of magnitude of my WAG).

Re: Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

there will be a functioning space elevator in roughly 15 years from now.

Re: Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

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there will be a functioning space elevator in roughly 15 years from now.

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Oh, that's funny.

Name the bet, as high as you want, and I'll call it.

Re: Feasibility of Space Elevator?
 

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Do you know how much carbon fiber would be needed to build such a thing?

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No.

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Off the top of my head, I'd estimate maybe the equivalent of 1 million B-2 bombers.

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You're way off. The whole point of the special material is that it is insanely strong. The threads that support the elevator don't need to be that thick. And the platform itself won't be that much extra material.