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A new method for making graphene has an awesome application: A space elevator

#1
C C Offline
https://www.universetoday.com/156669/a-n...-elevator/

EXCERPTS: The Space Elevator is one of those ideas that seems to have an endless supply of lives. Originally proposed about a century ago, this concept calls for a tether of supermaterial that connects a station in orbit to Earth’s surface. Our planet’s rotation would keep this tether taught, and a system of “climbers” would transport people and payloads to and from space. The engineering challenges and costs associated with such a structure have always been enormous. But every generation or so, new research comes along that causes engineers and space agencies to reevaluate the concept.

The single-greatest challenge has always been the tether since no known material has ever been strong enough to handle the stresses involved. But as it turns out, this issue may finally be resolved! According to scientists with the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC), a cost-effective manufacturing process could produce graphene ribbons that are strong enough to fashion a tether! Their latest findings are detailed in a paper they will present at the upcoming 2022 International Astronomical Congress in Paris.

[...] Like most time-honored revolutionary ideas for space exploration, the Space Elevator can be traced to Russian/Soviet rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935). Considered to be the top contender for the title of the “Father of Rocketry” (the other two being Hermann Oberth and Robert Goddard), Tsiolokovsky is responsible for developing the “Rocket Equation” and the design from which most modern rockets are derived. In his more adventurous musings, he proposed how humanity could build rotating Pinwheel Stations in space and a Space Elevator.

This proposal was inspired by his visit to Paris in 1895, where he witnessed the Eiffel Tower for the first time (construction had finished in 1889). From this encounter, Tsiolkovsky conceived of a structure that reached to geostationary orbit (GSO), or an altitude of 36,000 km (22,370 mi). However, Tsiolkovsky’s version of the idea called for a compression structure rather than a suspension one. He also noted that the idea was unrealistic since no known material was strong enough to support the weight of the standing structure.

[...] The enduring popularity of the Space Elevator is easy to grasp in light of the benefits having one would entail. The most obvious is the ability to send payloads and people to space for a fraction of the cost of launching them via rockets. It would also allow us to build spacecraft and space stations in orbit, eliminating the need to fabricate their respective components or modules on Earth and launch them to space using heavy-lift rockets. This process has never been cheap! (MORE - missing details)

https://youtu.be/JGtqB5KMS1I

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/JGtqB5KMS1I
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#2
Kornee Offline
A grand scheme that is coming of age, Or a grandiose folly? Not sure, but it's always wise to look at potential downsides. Like:
Earth weather. Inevitably such tethers will have to endure the occasional cyclone/hurricane, not to mention fairly frequent lightning strikes.
Space weather. Solar storms have wreaked havoc on power grids on Earth. Surely a space tether is exposed to a far greater potential for catastrophic damage.
Vulnerability to sabotage from e.g. drones, missiles, beam weapons, or stealth killer sats.
But all in all worth further investment. The costs pale in comparison to the obscene amounts spent on 'defense' industries. Then again, such tethers will undoubtedly have many military assist applications.
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