Re: More Space Elevator news

From: Joe Strout (joe_at_strout.net)
Date: 06/30/04 

Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2004 09:06:42 -0500

In article <fa9de496.0406300551.5b243d24@posting.google.com>,
 aajiv@flash.net (Al Jackson) wrote:

> A friend of mine sent this observation , that was too good not to
> share.
>
> "Interesting idea, but its immediate effect if implemented is increase
> the demand for conventional launch services.
> In order for it to work it will have to be deployed. Working with
> launch vehicle concepts I have no problem with that.

Right -- for the latest concept, it takes one shuttle-sized launch. (Of
course nowadays you'd probably plan on using an expendable launcher of
similar payload.) I don't see how this increases demand for
conventional launch services, though.

> And then you tie the tether down at the equator. Subsequently you
> start cranking a pulley or have space modules shimmy up and down the
> lines...
> What we should probably be asking ourselves is do we see any problems
> with that?
> Well, for one, low earth orbit is just as inacessible as it ever was.
> Stopoffs prior to GSO are going to leave a spacecraft short of delta v
> and at the lowest altitudes the deficit will be at its worst.

Sure, but who needs LEO when you've got GEO? All right, I recognize
that there will still be valid uses for LEO, but not nearly as much as
for GEO. The only advantages I could see to LEO, in this scenario, are
a somewhat more benign radiation environment, and a faster (albiet very
much more expensive) travel time.

> Maintaining the tether will probably be a significant undertaking
> as well."

Not too significant. Once you've got a tether up, with climbers
ascending and descending routinely, it should be possible to have the
tether keep growing in size and strength, more than making up for
accumulated damage. Of course this is certainly something that needs to
be worked out in more detail.

Best,
- Joe

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