How Far are we from Building a Space Elevator?

[Dave-W]

Here are some explanations:

"g. The exit point of the typical space elevator concept is at geostationary orbital altitude - some 22,000 miles above the equator. An object in orbit, and the exit point of the space elevator (at that altitude) would have a velocity of something like 3,400 miles per hour - far less than escape velocity. Maintaining a lower orbit (like that of ISS) requires much higher velocity (~17,000 mph); perhaps that is the cause of confusion."

To me this is the REAL fly in the ointment. The tendency of the mass at each orbital level will be trying to move at a different velocity. The sideways stresses would be enormous. Those stresses only zero out at the geosynchronous level, and would be a constant sideways force at every other level permanently.

 

[Radrook]

"g. The exit point of the typical space elevator concept is at geostationary orbital altitude - some 22,000 miles above the equator. An object in orbit, and the exit point of the space elevator (at that altitude) would have a velocity of something like 3,400 miles per hour - far less than escape velocity. Maintaining a lower orbit (like that of ISS) requires much higher velocity (~17,000 mph); perhaps that is the cause of confusion."

To me this is the REAL fly in the ointment. The tendency of the mass at each orbital level will be trying to move at a different velocity. The sideways stresses would be enormous. Those stresses only zero out at the geosynchronous level, and would be a constant sideways force at every other level permanently.

True, the stress along the tether's length would differ as a consequence of rotational distance from the ground and difference in gravitational pull along its length. That's why the material must meet the stress resistance requirements and why a counterweight, such as a space station or asteroid to keep the tether taut is so essential.

 

[Dave-W]

That's why the material must meet the stress resistance requirements and why a counterweight, such as a space station or asteroid to keep the tether taut is so essential.

Indeed. But how do you get from here (ground level) to there?

 

[Radrook]

Indeed. But how do you get from here (ground level) to there?

Well, we already have the counterweight ready up there-the space station. All it needs is to be maneuvered into geosynchronous orbit above the equator.

 

[Dave-W]

Well, we already have the counterweight ready up there-the space station. All it needs is to be maneuvered into geosynchronous orbit above the equator.

But we do not have anything continuous from up there to here. BTW - the ISS is not capable of boosting itself up to the Geosynchronous level without some serious rocket boosters; and then the supply ships would have to be much larger to get to it.

 

[Ophiolite]

Well, we already have the counterweight ready up there-the space station. All it needs is to be maneuvered into geosynchronous orbit above the equator.

Please. The counterweight must, as the name suggests, counter the weight below the point of synchronicity. The ISS falls short by a couple of orders of magnitude, at least. Your suggestion is - forgive the rigour of my charaterisation - ridiculous.

 

[Radrook]

Please. The counterweight must, as the name suggests, counter the weight below the point of synchronicity. The ISS falls short by a couple of orders of magnitude, at least. Your suggestion is - forgive the rigour of my charaterisation - ridiculous.

The space station would need to be repositioned. Are you claiming that repositioning the space station to serve as a counterweight is impossible?

. While designs sometimes differ, all space elevator concepts generally have the same 4 basic components: the base station, the cable, the climbers, and a counterweight.
Space Elevators: Climbing To Space

YES you can make a space elevator that gets you to the ISS.

As others have pointed out, a space elevator that links Earth’s surface to space must have one endpoint affixed to a “counterweight” in Geostationary Orbit. The other endpoint would be a ground station located on the equatorhttps://www.quora.com/Is-it-possible-to-make-a-space-elevator-to-the-ISS

 

[Radrook]

Not really. That is the advantage of an elevator, it could go as fast or slow as needed. It could even stop half way up.

Not sure you are being serious; but if that were true, since the entire atmosphere is open at the top, every last shred of air would have been sucked into space millenia ago.

How big would the hole have to be to get rid of the atmosphere via vacuum suction in the way he describes?

 

[Radrook]

But we do not have anything continuous from up there to here. BTW - the ISS is not capable of boosting itself up to the Geosynchronous level without some serious rocket boosters; and then the supply ships would have to be much larger to get to it.

I didn't claim that the space station is currently capable of repositioning itself into geosynchronous orbit. The supply of the ISS would be via the elevator.

Please note that

There are several conceptual designs for a space elevator, but they all have the same basic components: a long tether anchored to an offshore floating platform and connecting to counterweight -- a satellite or space station -- in geostationary orbit, some 62,000 miles into space.

Putting a New Spin on Space Elevators

So I guess building a space station is less expensive than using the one we have by repositioning it is the counterargument. Notice that it refers to the space station as the counterweight.

 

[AV1611VET]

How Far are we from Building a Space Elevator?

62 miles.

That's were first heaven ends and second heaven starts.

 

[Radrook]

62 miles.

That's were first heaven ends and second heaven starts.

The impenetrable canopy would interfere?

 

[AV1611VET]

The impenetrable canopy would interfere?

Yup.

Just like the indivisible atom.

 

[Radrook]

Yup.

Just like the indivisible atom.

Many decades ago, I often watched the sunset while at the seashore in the Caribbean and marveled at how the Sun would slowly begin to sink beneath the rim of the world. The universe is truly awe inspiring and it is sometimes very hard to accept the we are so small in relation to it. That this great incandescent orb we witness dominating the sky is but one of billions as numerous as all the grains of sand on all Earth's beaches and that the seemingly vast Earth on which we reside is smaller still.

Makes me sometimes long nostalgically for the days when everything revolved about our Earth and we were the focus of all existence. Maybe that is one of the charming things which draws people to the flat Earth and canopy concept. It has an inviting charm that is hard to resist.

 

[bhsmte]

I think the Otis people should be able to build any elevator, don't ya think?

 

[AV1611VET]

Many decades ago, I often watched the sunset while at the seashore in the Caribbean and marveled at how the Sun would slowly begin to sink beneath the rim of the world.

Many decades ago I was partial to observing the moon on Guam.

The universe is truly awe inspiring and it is sometimes very hard to accept the we are so small in relation to it.

We're also unique.

That this great incandescent orb we witness dominating the sky is but one of billions as numerous as all the grains of sand on all Earth's beaches and that the seemingly vast Earth on which we reside is smaller still.

Yes, indeed.

But remember: the universe is teeming with life; and if the stars are indeed habitats for the angels, then the planets God put out there could be places they go to for R&R.

Makes me sometimes long nostalgically for the days when everything revolved about our Earth and we were the focus of all existence.

Not me.

I don't want to live here for all eternity.

If you'll peruse my profile, it says I'm from "Earth One."

That's a deep theological statement that most people overlook, thinking I'm talking about a comic book or something.

I'm not.

I'm making a statement of basic theology.

Maybe that is one of the charming things which draws people to the flat Earth and canopy concept.

An interesting perspective; but I have to ask: what made you pull that canopy garbage on me?

What drew you to it?

It has an inviting charm that is hard to resist.

We have a saying:

Aim for Earth, get Earth; aim for Heaven, get both.

 

[AV1611VET]

I think the Otis people should be able to build any elevator, don't ya think?

That thing would be an eyesore.

 

[Radrook]

Many decades ago I was partial to observing the moon on Guam.We're also unique.Yes, indeed.

But remember: the universe is teeming with life; and if the stars are indeed habitats for the angels, then the planets God put out there could be places they go to for R&R.Not me.

I don't want to live here for all eternity.

If you'll peruse my profile, it says I'm from "Earth One."

That's a deep theological statement that most people overlook, thinking I'm talking about a comic book or something.

I'm not.

I'm making a statement of basic theology.An interesting perspective; but I have to ask: what made you pull that canopy garbage on me?

What drew you to it?We have a saying:

Aim for Earth, get Earth; aim for Heaven, get both.

Your statements drew me. I thought you were proposing an impenetrable canopy that prevented the idea of a space elevator. You seemed to agree when I suggested it. So I assumed you would appreciate what I posted next. If indeed I misunderstood you I apologize. It was not an attempt to offend since I personally don't consider the flat Earth idea garbage as you describe it nor do I view Flat Earthers negatively. I try to keep an open mind for such possibilities.

About the universe teeming with life, well, I believe in angelic creatures such as regular angels, cherubim, Seraphim. So yes the universe is teeming with life in the spirit realm and on Earth. As to whether it is teaming with life on other planets I'm not sure. Whether the planets are rest and recreation places for angels. it might be.

The hope and belief in the promise of a heavenly life is common to most Christians and professed Christians. Some however believe it is restricted to only 144,000 taken from mankind. Others believe that after the Earth is cleansed they will return in glorified bodies to live on a cleansed Earth. All these use scriptures in an attempt to justify their views. Some views, of course, are more biblically justifiable than others.

BTW
A description of the universe as vast does not necessarily entail an effort to prove that humans are not unique.

 

[AV1611VET]

Your statements drew me. I thought you were proposing an impenetrable canopy that prevented the idea of a space elevator. You seemed to agree when I suggested it. So I assumed you would appreciate what I posted next.

Sorry! my bad!

I thought you were talking about that solid brass dome that scientists believe the Bible talks about.

I've said this before, and it bears repeating:

If I lived next door to someone who interprets the Bible like scientists do, I'd be concerned for my safety.

 

[JD16]

Sorry! my bad!

I thought you were talking about that solid brass dome that scientists believe the Bible talks about.

The bible mentions firmament which is the structure above the atmosphere, and conceived as a vast solid dome IIRC

 

[AV1611VET]

The bible mentions firmament which is the structure above the atmosphere, and conceived as a vast solid dome IIRC

None of my business, but where did you hear that explanation? was it from an educated person?

If so, what made you adopt it?