Re: Can we now build the space elevator?

From: aSkeptic (scott_at_yannitell.com)
Date: 08/30/04 

Date: 29 Aug 2004 21:20:48 -0700

I hate to rain on everyone's space elevator dream..

Until a fiber with the required tensile strength can be produced in
the required lenghts it will never happen. When this amazing new
material becomes a proven technology then things like space elevators
might someday work.

The hype I hear about space elevators being around the corner (so to
say) is really optimistic. Its not easy to make a perfect fiber tens
of thosuands of miles long, let alone a nanotube. Bulk produced 70 Gpa
TS fibers would enable more than just space elevators. But I'd rather
not count chicks before they hatch.

Its not as bad as planning to build a NRE with 20,000 kelvin exhast
temperature using nothing more exotic than regenerative cooling to
keep it from blowing up. Gee.. all we need is a ceramic that melts
25,000 Kelvin! Why that kind of discovery is just 30 years away.
Buahahahaa!

Seriously though, whoever finds a way of making nanotube fibers in
bulk for cheap will be a gahgillionare.

good luck all

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Can we now build the space elevator?
    ... Until a fiber with the required tensile strength can be produced in ... The hype I hear about space elevators being around the corner (so to ... Its not easy to make a perfect fiber tens ... Its not as bad as planning to build a NRE with 20,000 kelvin exhast ...
    (sci.materials)
  • Re: Can we now build the space elevator?
    ... Until a fiber with the required tensile strength can be produced in ... The hype I hear about space elevators being around the corner (so to ... Its not easy to make a perfect fiber tens ... Its not as bad as planning to build a NRE with 20,000 kelvin exhast ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Can we now build the space elevator?
    ... Until a fiber with the required tensile strength can be produced in ... The hype I hear about space elevators being around the corner (so to ... Its not easy to make a perfect fiber tens ... Its not as bad as planning to build a NRE with 20,000 kelvin exhast ...
    (sci.astro)
  • Re: Can we now build the space elevator?
    ... > material becomes a proven technology then things like space elevators ... Its not easy to make a perfect fiber tens ... NRE should be NTR or nuclear thermal rocket ...
    (sci.materials)
  • Re: Can we now build the space elevator?
    ... > material becomes a proven technology then things like space elevators ... Its not easy to make a perfect fiber tens ... NRE should be NTR or nuclear thermal rocket ...
    (sci.physics)