Have you ever wondered a large rope reaching from the surface of the Earth to distant Space ???completely insane right ?? ok check this one, what if a rope from the surface of earth to space do exist and an elevator carrying payloads and men ascents on it?? hmmmm...do u think its a science fiction....well check it out then...
SPACE ELEVATOR:
A climber or an elevator ascend a ribbon or a rope, 100,000 km long, strung between an anchor on Earth and a counterweight in space. Connecting Earth and space in a way never before possible, the space elevator will enable us to inexpensively and completely expand our society into space.
The biggest drain of energy takes place when a vehicle or a rocket blasts off, pushing through Earth’s
gravitational pull.It requires great amounts of fuel, but once it get out of our atmosphere, the rest is easy.If you could cut out that blast off portion, space travel would be easier and much more fuel-efficient.
In a Space Elevator scenario, an elevator would ascend up the side of an exceedingly tall structure and reach a transfer point where they would then board a craft to the Moon, Mars, or any other distant destination.
A space elevator made of a carbon nanotubes composite ribbon(rope) anchored to an offshore sea platform would stretch to a small counterweight approximately 62,000 miles (100,000 km) into space. Mechanical lifters attached to the ribbon would then climb the ribbon, carrying cargo and humans into space, at a price of only about $100 to $400 per pound ($220 to $880 per kg).
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| Space elevator would consist a counterweight attached at other end.The counter weight is generally past the geosynchronous orbit of earth. |
For the construction of space elevator the following building units are important:
· Base Station
· Cable
· Lifter
· Counter Weight
· Power Beam
BASE STATION: The base station designs typically fall into two categories—mobile and stationary. Mobile stations are typically large oceangoing vessels, though airborne stations have
been proposed as well. Stationary platforms would generally be located in high-altitude locations, such as on top of mountains, or even potentially on high towers.
Mobile platforms have the advantage of being able to maneuver to avoid high winds, storms, and space debris. While stationary platforms don't have these advantages, they typically would have access to cheaper and more reliable power sources, and require a shorter cable.
HOPE THERE TRAIL BRINGS SPACE ELEVATOR INTO REALITY WHICH THEY HAVE ALMOST ACHIEVED.....
SPACE ELEVATOR- A bridge between Earth and Space.....
SPACE ELEVATOR RIBBON OR CABLE:
As stated earlier the material for cable or rope or ribbon is carbon nanotube.
Carbon nanotubes have a potential to be 100 times stronger than steel and are as flexible as plastic. The strength of carbon nanotubes comes from their unique structure which resembles like a football.
LIFTER OR CLIMBER:
A climber is generally a robotic lifter which ascends on a stationary rope. In an ordinary elevator lifter is stationary and rope moves through pulleys. But in case of space elevator rope is stationary and lifter ascends by powering it up by powerind beam.
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