The elevator cable doesn't have to be electrically conductive. Michel
2010/1/25 Alexander Hollins <[email protected]>: > best link ive found so far. > > http://www.data4science.net/essays.php?EssayID=850 > hmm, i think its the same one you are talking about. I THOUGHT there > was another one done, but i could be wrong. > > On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 1:58 PM, Stephen A. Lawrence <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> On 01/25/2010 03:39 PM, Alexander Hollins wrote: >>> unfortunately, space elevator research has stalled due to a lot of >>> issues with voltage differentials in the upper atmosphere. The last >>> test I heard of of stretching a ribbon between the ground and leo, >>> after it got about 5 miles long, it vaporized in a discharge, acting >>> as a ground. not pretty. >> >> I don't recall that. >> >> I know the tethered satellite experiment done on the Shuttle failed with >> a burned cable, but I hadn't heard of any further work with long tethers >> after that. >> >> I'd be interested in hearing more about the 5 mile cable drop-and-fry >> from LEO, if you have a link to more info. >> >> >>> >>> On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 1:34 PM, Jed Rothwell <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> If the space elevator people succeed the rest will be easy. I would include >>>> the elevator advocates and experimentalists in the top ranks of those >>>> promoting space travel. >>>> >>>> I don't know how much support NSS is giving elevators but they should be a >>>> top priority. NASA, unfortunately, gave the elevator people the frozen boot >>>> years ago, in favor of retro-design rockets. >>>> >>>> - Jed >>>> >>>> >>> >> >> > >
