Re: More Space Elevator news

From: TKalbfus (tkalbfus_at_aol.com)
Date: 07/07/04 

Date: 07 Jul 2004 12:38:52 GMT

>Three words: Van Allen belts. Given that a core argument for SEs is
>"it doesn't have to be expensive to get into orbit if you're willing
>to go slower," it's awkward -- but necessary -- to acknowledge that
>there's a very good reason to traverse the 700-12,000 miloe range
>ASAP.

You need to build a vertical maglev, but until you have one, you need contact
cable climbers. By the way no maglev has yet been built horizontal or vertical
that is as long as the space elevator has to be. Maglevs are expensive! The
cables would have to support the maglev along its length. The superconducting
surfaces would have to be shielded from the sun so it stays cold enough, and it
will have to begin above the atmosphere. So a cable climber would have to reach
a base station at low orbital altitude and switch to a maglev car.

Tom