How Far are we from Building a Space Elevator?

[Radrook]

First of all, the elevator itself would have to move from the ground out into space at the speed of escape velocity.

Second of all, if this elevator silo breaks at the top, i.e. in the part that's in space, it'll suck all the air off the Earth and we'll suffocate.

Here are some explanations:

Jonathan. the space elevator concept is not about achieving or circumventing escape velocity; it is about achieving orbital velocity... not quite the same thing. 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. – Anthony X Dec 9 '13 at 3:16

The space elevator is assisted upwards by centrifugal force which is an outward push provided to any object that is rotating. We used it all the time in the dental laboratory to cast molten metal into a matrix. Release the pin and the arm where the metal is cradled spins and shoots the it straight into the waiting mold.



In the same way, but assisted by electromagnetism, space elevators would be gradually pushed outwards in the direction of space by Earth’s 1000 mph rotation. At a certain elevation gravity and centrifugal force would cancel each other out and the centrifugal force would begin to predominate. In fact, if allowed to continue undetained, the Earth’s centrifugal force would propel the elevator all the way to the asteroid belt.

Space elevator - Wikipedia

About breakage and all Earth's air immediately being suctioned into space.

Such accidents are prepared for just as they are with every other space venture where things are provided with triple redundancy. Also, if it did haoppen, actual amount of atmosphere siphoned through tat relatively small aperture would be insignificant in relation to the total volume. That would provide plenty of time for repair or a sealing off.



Here is another article that dismisses the escape velocity objection by explaining that gradually floating the elevator upwards via electromagnetism and centrifugal force would be suffice.

The elevator car wouldn’t actually be hauled in the conventional fashion; instead of wheels and pulleys, it would float upward along a track attached to the tower and cable, using electromagnetism. Such a vehicle would not only be super-efficient, energy-wise, but it also would be much faster than a conventional elevator and its parts would be subjected to less wear and tear. NASA scientists envisioned creating such a space highway in the distant future, but in a followup 2003 report funded by NASA’s Institute for Advanced Concepts, author Bradley C. Edwards ventured that an elevator could be built by 2018 at a cost of just $10 billion on a man-made floating base (either a ship or an oil platform in the tropics.

http://tvblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2011/06/16/escaping-earth-could-a-space-elevator-work/

https://www.quora.com/If-a-space-el...quently-reach-destination-e-g-a-space-station





Here are other responses related to elevator escape velocity

Escape velocity from long ladder

 

[Bungle_Bear]

Didn't we learn anything from Babel?

Several thousand languages?

 

[AV1611VET]

Several thousand languages?

Don't forget we lost a language too.

Genesis 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

 

[Radrook]

I think it will still be awhile. Likely in my life time though. I'm just not sure how they will deal with space debris, satellites...etc. What happens if someone rams it on purpose at the right height so the whole thing crumbles back down to earth? I mean we know that when its high enough it will stay afloat, but cut it off at a certain point and the bottom would fall down.

Like someone shouting Allah Akbar and ramming a Boeing 747 into it? True, that is something to take into serious consideration before we squander billions on this project only to have it come crashing down at inauguration day.

BTW
If the structure would suddenly lose its Earth anchoring, the part that is in the weightlessness of space would be hurled or sling-shotted out into the void via centrifugal force produced by Earth's rotation. It was that rotation that kept the tether taught. So that's what a sudden release would do to certain parts of the structure.

 

[JD16]

Like someone shouting Allah Akbar and ramming a boing 747 into it? True, that is something to take into serious consideration before we squander billions on this project only to have it come crashing down at inauguration day.

No fly zone

 

[Radrook]

No fly zone

Well, since it needs to be anchored at the equator that limits the places where the no fly zone can be established. In turn this produces political issues involving the host country. The Panama Canal was hosted by Panama but owned by the USA. Things can become complicated by revolutions such as happened in Cuba where USA companies were nationalized.

Elevator's location choices.
Where to Anchor My Space Elevator

 

[JD16]

Well, since it needs to be anchored at the equator that limits the places where the no fly zone can be established. In turn this produces political issues involving the host country. The Panama Canal was hosted by Panama but owned by the USA. Things can become complicated by revolutions such as happened in Cuba where USA companies were nationalized.

Elevator's location choices.
Where to Anchor My Space Elevator

It would require negotiation and concessions, but ultimately, $ talks....its a matter of how much we're willing to pay to establish the proper protocol IMO.

 

[Radrook]

It would require negotiation and concessions, but ultimately, $ talks....its a matter of how much we're willing to pay to establish the proper protocol IMO.

Funny how people are so quick to attempt to destroy what they themselves are unable to build. Our Twin Towers are forever gone and the NY skyline isn't the same without them. I imagine that if the wee ever rebuilt sooner or later another attempt would be made. Once an object becomes a symbol it becomes a target. Same with the space elevator. It's like kicking the cat cause the boss shouted at you. Human nature is really a sight to behold!

 

[Radrook]

Don't forget we lost a language too.

Genesis 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

There was no need to obliterate the language of the faithful.

 

[JD16]

 

[Radrook]

Emergency cut off valves, just like the once they use in offshore drilling platforms

Foresight is a priority in such things. Otherwise we would be needing to learn via disasters. Sometimes it seems to be that way here on Earth. Bridges collapse and we glibly promise to make them safer so it won't happen again. That's no consolation to the direct accident victims and their families.

 

[Radrook]

So the Galapagos and Maldives Islands are the most best choices! How does that asteroid counterbalance fit into the overall picture?

 

[JD16]

Bridges collapse and we glibly promise to make them safer so it won't happen again.

Nearly 56,000 bridges called structurally deficient

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/15/deficient-bridges/97890324/

 

[Radrook]

Nearly 56,000 bridges called structurally deficient

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/15/deficient-bridges/97890324/

Actually, in Arthur C Clark's novel 2010 a Space Oddysee he does describe a space elevator type of construction which seemed to have fallen into disrepair. Whole sections had been abandoned partially built. Hard to imagine but the condition of our bridges gives reason to pause.

 

[JD16]

How does that asteroid counterbalance fit into the overall picture?

Beats me, not sure how that works tbh...

 

[JD16]

Actually, in Arthur C Clark's novel 2010 a Space Oddysee he does describe a space elevator type of construction which seemed to have fallen into disrepair. Whole sections had been abandoned partially built. Hard to imagine but the condition of our bridges gives reason to pause.

And millions of people travel on them each day,....its a ticking time bomb

 

[Radrook]

Beats me, not sure how that works tbh...

I found these references to the asteroid part of the space elevators.

about the space elevator theory what's the counterbalance?

Would a 'space elevator'/sling on a rotating asteroid work?

 

[JD16]

This explains it in simple terms

 

[Dave-W]

First of all, the elevator itself would have to move from the ground out into space at the speed of escape velocity.

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.

Second of all, if this elevator silo breaks at the top, i.e. in the part that's in space, it'll suck all the air off the Earth and we'll suffocate.

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.

 

[Radrook]

This explains it in simple terms

Excellent explanation. Thanx!
I think they should try it on the moon first s the video suggests.