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dimossi
Skeptic Friend
USA
141 Posts |
 Posted - 03/28/2002 : 15:19:10
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Poll Question:
After reading this article concerning the "Space Elevator", I thought this would be a good poll question and item to discuss.
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/space_elevator_020327-1.html
THE SPACE ELEVATOR IS:
"Life is but a momentary glimpse of the wonder of this astonishing universe, and it is sad to see so many dreaming it away on spiritual fantasy." [Carl Sagan]
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Poll Status:
Locked »» |
Total Votes: 0 counted »» |
Last Vote:
never |
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Lars_H
SFN Regular
Germany
630 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 15:38:59 [Permalink]
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I don't think the question can be answered in those categories. The idea of 'Space Elevators' skyhooks and cabels have been around in Sci-Fi for a long time. With the current advances in nanotchnolgy it looks like we might soon have the technology nescesarry to actually build one.
The Problem won't be tecnnology but money. By the time we have what we need to build such a thing, will there be any money in building it? That is the question.
It appears to me very similar like other great engeneering projects in the past. The channel tunnel connecting France and England existed for a long time in fiction and fantasy before it became technical possible to build it. By then it was more of a question of poltics and finance then engeneering.
Maybee the skyhook will go the way of the channel-tunnel that evantually did get build. Maybee it will go the way of the channel-causeway that did not. Whatever it will be it is unlikely going to be a question of technologiacl feasabilty.
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 15:41:32 [Permalink]
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I'm the poop who said 50+ years.
I'm sure we can mantain an orbit stable enough. Drifting a mile or so sideways wouldn't be much of a problem on the ground. The angle of the cable wouldn't be noticeable. Up and down might be another problem all together. Drift down 300 feet and a lot of people would die.
Fountains of Paradise sounded good (even if he did move Sri Lanka) but I went to Clark's 2001 a Space Odessey when it first opened. Now it's 2002 and we haven't even been back to the moon. These things go slower than we hoped.
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It will sometimes be necessary to use falsehood for the benefit of those who need such a mode of treatment.
----Eusebius of Nicomedia,
The Preparation of the Gospel |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2002 : 08:51:45 [Permalink]
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I put 50 years plus, but I'm not really comfortable with it. I find a space elevator hard to picture, and yes, I read a little si-fi.
On the other hand, at the turn of the last century, the thought of someone walking on the Moon - it really DID happen, so stop saying that - would have been treated as pure fantasy by all but, well, a few si-fi fans.
So, can it happen? Maybe.....
f
"The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason."--Benjamin Franklin, _Poor_Richard_, 1758
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Computer Org
Skeptic Friend
392 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2002 : 06:58:49 [Permalink]
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The whole space-elevator really does seem far-fetched but bucky-ball technology may change everything.
I voted for the 11-50 year option. I think that it will be closer to "11" than to "50" because of three factors:- Advances in "buckyball" or fullerine (C[sub]60[/sub]) technology
- needs of various asteroid-defence methods; and
- increasing realization that space holds lots of promise in lots of areas.
I reckon we'll see, but I don't doubt that the space-elevator may well become one of the dozen most-rapidly advancing and best-funded of emerging technologies.
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Computer Org
Skeptic Friend
392 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2002 : 13:44:18 [Permalink]
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I have to caveat:
I don't think that C-60 chain research is far enough along to actually be used with a space elevator. Without such chains, complete with their most-hoped-for properties, I don't see any way for the elevator to be built.
I also think that the engineering problems would be vast--and that it would be that very vastness that would lead to, as does space-research, a large number of very interesting and useful science and engineering breakthroughs.
We can always hope, however. :)
Do thou amend thy face, and I'll amend my life. --Falstaff |
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2002 : 08:58:07 [Permalink]
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We could just use Biosteel™.
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fortiter in re, suaviter in modo |
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Mespo_man
Skeptic Friend
USA
312 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2002 : 06:56:05 [Permalink]
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*BZZZZZZZZZZT*
"Hello, security desk"
"Uh, Hello, security? We're stuck here in the space elevator on the 19,234th floor.
"Don't touch any buttons, we'll get you out.'
"What if we climb out the top escape hatch?"
"Not a good idea. It's -200F and zero air pressure. But we have a fireman starting the climb now."
"WHAT???"
"In emergencies, the elevators are locked in position. If you look out the porthole you can see the Space Emergency Staircase next to the Space Elevator Cable"
"You mean a fireman is going to climb all the way up to the elevator car???"
"Well yes, that's what they're trained for. Special high-rise unit of FDNY."
"How long will it take?"
"Well, figure 30 seconds a floor times 19,234 floors."
"BUT I GOTTA PEE NOW!!!!!!"
(:raig 
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Topic Locked
