NASA's proposed "space line".

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pioneer0333

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I might be wrong, but I do not think that NASA can actually tie a rope to Earth and put the other end in orbit. I mean is this really possible? Having a VERY long rope attached to the planet seems wild to me. But hey, I could be wrong? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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eosophobiac

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Is this a joke? Or if this is actually something that's in the works, can you provide a link?<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p> </div>
 
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harmonicaman

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The whole concept is kinda wacko if you ask me; but here's a Space Elevator site with lots of sexy graphics:<br /><br />www.nanotech-now.com/Art_Gallery/LiftPort.htm<br /><br />Excerpt: <br /><br />"The subject of research for more than a century, the space elevator is a unique way to ferry cargo and people into space. Recent advances in technology, most notably the development of carbon nanotube composites, now appear to make building a space elevator feasible." <br /><br />"Initial research reports on building the space elevator that draw upon these discoveries have now been completed. As proposed in these reports, the space elevator will consist of a carbon nanotube composite ribbon stretching some 62,000 miles from earth to space. The elevator will be anchored to an offshore sea platform near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, and to a small counterweight in space. Mechanical lifters (robotic elevator cars) will move up and down the ribbon, carrying such items as satellites, solar power systems, and eventually people into space."<br /><br />-------<br /><br />This idea will be practical when we have the technology to build a suspension bridge from California to Japan...
 
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newtonian

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interesting.<br /><br />One needs the strength of the ribbon, the degree it is tort (taught?), etc.<br /><br />I would be a little nervous about birds.<br /><br />Are birds attracted to strings like kittens are?
 
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scull

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Birds can't tell if something is made of glass; that's why a lot of them get killed flying into glass windows. There was an article in National Geographic discussing this problem; it mentioned how downtown areas are especially dangerous for birds because of the skyscrapers. So if the proposed lifters moving up and down the ribbon will be made of glass then our feathered friends will have trouble.
 
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