know any good resources on space elevators?

[lunatic133]

Hey all<br /><br />For one of my aerospace labs, my group is supposed to analyze the design of a space elevator, including loads, what materials would be needed, and general feasibility. Does anyone here know of any good web sites/resources that could help us in this?<br /><br />Thanks a lot <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />- Lunatic

 

[nacnud]

Try these<br /><br />http://www.isr.us/Spaceelevatorconference/ latest conferance<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator wikipedia<br />http://www.isr.us/Downloads/niac_pdf/contents.html paper for NASA<br /><br />Also try using Google Scholar http://scholar.google.com/

 

[ldyaidan]

My son did a science fair project last year on the space elevator. Liftport.com is also a good resource. They are very friendly people, and are also very happy to help with any questions you might have. Let them know that it is for a school assignment, and all they ask is that you note them as a resource in your project

 

[lunatic133]

thanks everyone <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[nexium]

I looked at the conference link. The only untrue statement was "immediate drastic cost to space reduction" Perhaps after 3 years when the 3d space elevator nears completion. Longer if two out of three elevators are already beyond ecconomic repair. It is not clear that the tethers will last for years, due to space junk, lightning, micro meteorites, terrorists and human error. Short life expectancy, means several fuctioning elevators must be built before more than an occasional pay load can prudently be used for purposes other than building more elevators. Even if average life is 4 years, construction delays, funding problems etc could delay low cost to space for 5 years after completion of first elevator. With good luck second, third and 4th elevators will cost a small fraction of the perhaps ten billion dollar cost of the first elevator. Neil