The Elvator to Heaven, the Stairway to Space电梯到了天堂，空间的楼梯.pptVIP

The Elevator to Heaven, the Stairway to Space Daniel Burton Josh Denholtz Sergey Galkin Topics of Discussion Introduction to the Space Elevator Original Designs Parts of Elevator - Ribbon - Motor and Rollers - Platform - Power Construction of Elevator / Final Design Future Plans The Space Elevator First in depth study came in 1950s by Dr. John McCarthy Described a synchronous Earth skyhook going up to a space station in geosynch orbit Materials not yet available to build elevator New Materials Become Available Graphite whiskers become available in 1957 Tensile strength of 210,000 kg/cm^2 compared to the next best material (fine grade drawn steel wire) with a strength of 42,000 kg/cm^2 20 times better than steel (strength and density considerations) Carbon Nanotubes First invented in 1991 Has a density of 1.3 g/cm^3 (close to half that of graphite whiskers) Tensile strength is 1,327,000 kg/cm^3 Self support up to 10,204 km (compared to 1,050 km for the graphite whiskers) No other known molecular bonds stronger than this arrangement 22 tons of nanotubes compared to 700,000 tons of graphite whiskers would be used Definitely the material to use Getting Started Original startup involves the transportation of a rocket containing the parts necessary to build a spaceship (counterweight) in orbit Spaceship will assemble in orbit and launch a smaller ship to anchor the carbon nanotube ribbon to the Earth (most likely on a sea based platform) Climbers will travel up to the orbiting spaceship splicing together the ribbon and making it stronger The Ribbon Ribbon will be made of nylon Ribbon will be 15’ in length (will be dropped from the Mezzanine), 6” in width, and .031” in thickness Strong material and able to withstand forces that will be put on it Cost efficient means of simulating carbon nanotubes Platform Platform will be made of aluminum Will be circular in cross section with a radius of 1’ and a thickness of 0.25” Will have a cutout with dimensions 9” by 1”