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[–]wahala 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (11 children)

Funny coincidence, just the other day I was listening to an old Art Bell-hosted Coast to Coast AM from 8/21/2005, with guest Sir Charles Shults III (https://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2005-08-21-show/). They discussed the space elevator, and were very keen that it could be possible. Sir Charles felt that funding really was the only hold back, and that the technology already existed. It was refreshing to hear their optimism.

[–]magnora7[S] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (10 children)

It really seems to come down to the ability to manufacture long carbon nanotubes reliably and somewhat cheaply. If we can figure that out, then it seems like we can pull off the space elevator. Seems like we're close to figuring out the carbon nanotube manufacturing issues, maybe a decade or two. And then they can start building it which will take another decade probably. So hopefully the space elevator would open around 2050 or so. It all depends on how quickly people can figure out the long nanotube mass manufacture process.

[–]wahala 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (9 children)

That and any environmental concerns. I mean, there's nothing to explode here, like a rocket, so the typical impact zones that we have in many space ports areas/surrounds, are nullified. I don't know how a failure of the elevator would impact the environment, and for how large of an area. Definitely seems possible, just has to be a deliberate process.

[–]magnora7[S] 2 insightful - 3 fun2 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 3 fun -  (7 children)

It would be crazy if it somehow whipped around the earth and that tether wrapped around a country and cut a bunch of buildings in half like a cheese wire slicer. Sounds like a good sci-fi movie

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (6 children)

Wouldn't they have it in the ocean so if it fell over it would just fall into the ocean, not land? I think they don't want to spend all that money to build it and it collapses, wasting all the billions.

[–]magnora7[S] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (5 children)

Maybe yeah, but it would probably want to be mounted to land as creating a secure mount on the ocean might not be easy.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

It's not like it would float away into space. I think it being not secured and floating in the ocean is preferred actually. It could be moved if space debris threatens to hit it in space

[–]magnora7[S] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

I mean people still have to get on it, and there has to be a platform around it that you get on and off of, and it has to be stable enough to load people and luggage in and stuff

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Yeah it could be a base that floats in the ocean.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator#Base_station

[–]JasonCarswell 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Wow that article has improved since last I looked years ago. Still missing a few ideas, but if farm more impressive.

[–]JasonCarswell 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Actually drifting into space is a real possibility. It would be an immense balancing act that would be in serious jeopardy from the weather and jet streams.

Having a mobile target to receive it on the surface (easier over water than land) might be an advantage if it were being built downward as suggested in the video. Once contact is made it could be maneuvered to a larger pre-built anchor point.

[–]JasonCarswell 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

To build anything in space you'll need rockets. You can't just build upward. Most of it needs to be started in geosynchronous orbit. All satellites have fuel to perpetually adjust their position until they run out and become space junk. Even the outer end, past the main orbiting mass will need rockets to position without purchase on land or any other means of shifting position, and certainly not by the elevator.

The powers that be would never care about the environmental impact, though they might try to spin some public relation stuff to justify or defend their interests.