Even a non conductive material will, if the voltage difference is great enough, have surface effects that can cause plasma discharges (think making plasma balls in the microwave with burnt matches.
On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 1:41 AM, Michel Jullian <[email protected]> wrote: > 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 >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> >> > >
