Space Elevators Get A Lift
The Space Elevator concept is a structure extending from the surface of the Earth to geo-stationary Earth orbit (GEO). Its center of mass is at GEO such that the entire structure orbits the Earth in sync with the Earth’s rotation maintaining a stationary position over its base attachment at the equator. It is envisioned that such a structure would be used as a mass transportation system in the latter part of the 21st century for transporting people, payloads, gasses and power between Earth and space.
by Karl Ziemelis
London - May 2, 2001
They say the first 100 kilometres are the best. Moments after the door slides shut with a reassuring "ker-chunk", the acceleration takes hold, pushing you gently but firmly into your seat. Terra firma drops precipitously from view, and your internal organs groan in sympathy.
The base tower seems endless as it slides past the window. Then you're in open sky, at first a seemingly infinite expanse of blue, but gradually darkening until the Milky Way appears in all its glory. And throughout, the shimmering blue pool that is the Earth curves away beneath you, a sight that was once the preserve of a privileged few.
After what seems like forever -- but is actually little more than 10 minutes -- the acceleration eases. Now cruising at 2000 kilometres an hour, at an altitude of 150 kilometres and rising, you begin to feel uncomfortably buoyant in your seat.
Trying to keep calm, you avoid dwelling on the fact that for the next 18 hours the only thing stopping you from plummeting to Earth is little more than a glorified piece of rope. A cable some 47,000 kilometres long, yet no more than a few centimetres wide, stretching from the surface of the Earth into orbit. You are taking a trip on the space elevator. Get ready for the ride of your life.
The idea of an elevator to the heavens may sound preposterous, like an updated version of the Tower of Babel. But it's a serious proposition. Two independent NASA teams recently thrashed out the technological requirements for such a project and found them to be feasible. Extraordinarily demanding, yes, but feasible
How Feasible . . . Click Here To Find Out
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Mother Should I Trust The Government - Pink Floyd
Everything under the sun is in tune but the sun is eclipsed by the moon - Pink Floyd
Those times I burned my guitar it was like a sacrafice. You sacrafice the things you love. I love my guitar - Jimi Hendrix
The Space Elevator concept is a structure extending from the surface of the Earth to geo-stationary Earth orbit (GEO). Its center of mass is at GEO such that the entire structure orbits the Earth in sync with the Earth’s rotation maintaining a stationary position over its base attachment at the equator. It is envisioned that such a structure would be used as a mass transportation system in the latter part of the 21st century for transporting people, payloads, gasses and power between Earth and space.
by Karl Ziemelis
London - May 2, 2001
They say the first 100 kilometres are the best. Moments after the door slides shut with a reassuring "ker-chunk", the acceleration takes hold, pushing you gently but firmly into your seat. Terra firma drops precipitously from view, and your internal organs groan in sympathy.
The base tower seems endless as it slides past the window. Then you're in open sky, at first a seemingly infinite expanse of blue, but gradually darkening until the Milky Way appears in all its glory. And throughout, the shimmering blue pool that is the Earth curves away beneath you, a sight that was once the preserve of a privileged few.
After what seems like forever -- but is actually little more than 10 minutes -- the acceleration eases. Now cruising at 2000 kilometres an hour, at an altitude of 150 kilometres and rising, you begin to feel uncomfortably buoyant in your seat.
Trying to keep calm, you avoid dwelling on the fact that for the next 18 hours the only thing stopping you from plummeting to Earth is little more than a glorified piece of rope. A cable some 47,000 kilometres long, yet no more than a few centimetres wide, stretching from the surface of the Earth into orbit. You are taking a trip on the space elevator. Get ready for the ride of your life.
The idea of an elevator to the heavens may sound preposterous, like an updated version of the Tower of Babel. But it's a serious proposition. Two independent NASA teams recently thrashed out the technological requirements for such a project and found them to be feasible. Extraordinarily demanding, yes, but feasible
How Feasible . . . Click Here To Find Out
------------------
Mother Should I Trust The Government - Pink Floyd
Everything under the sun is in tune but the sun is eclipsed by the moon - Pink Floyd
Those times I burned my guitar it was like a sacrafice. You sacrafice the things you love. I love my guitar - Jimi Hendrix