Introduction to Space Elevators and New Space

Abstract

New SpaceVol. 3, No. 4 Space Elevators: Opening up the Earth-Moon EcosphereFree AccessIntroduction to Space Elevators and New SpaceCathy W. SwanCathy W. SwanSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:15 Dec 2015https://doi.org/10.1089/space.2015.0026AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail IntroductionThis edition of the New Space journal will focus on a revolutionary technology that can change the world. The concept has been around since 1895, with reality creeping in as carbon nanotubes are becoming real. There are three issues that will be addressed during these articles: why, how, and history of space elevators.Why: “Opening up Earth–Moon Enterprise with a Space Elevator”A quick look at the why is shown from a recent quote from the president of the International Space Elevator Consortium: Why Space Elevators? To Change the World!This goal, when reached, will provide routine, daily, massive payloads to mission locations; smooth rides; and at less than $100/kg to GEO. This infrastructure enables humanity to expand into our solar system while improving life on Earth with revolutionary technologies and missions. These new capabilities reach across the spectrum to include: space solar power (zero carbon footprint), commercial expansion of GEO (comm-sats, weather prediction, new missions), and renewed hope for the future.1How: “The Status of Space Elevator Infrastructures”The second article will discuss the technological status of space elevators and the proposed path to their implementation. There have been three major studies over the last 15 years, and they have concluded that Space Elevators Seem to be Feasible!2History: “Historical Look at the Concept of Space Elevators”The last article will discuss where we have been in this industry and how we have progressed. This historical perspective will help the reader to understand the significance of developments and the players within the industry.BaselineBefore we get started, here is a quick discussion of the baseline that is used in this series of articles for a space elevator infrastructure. The image showing the future of space access is shown in Figure 1.Fig. 1. Nodal layout. (Image by chasedesignstudios.com)The basics are as follows: There is a Marine Node anchoring the tether near the equator in the Eastern Pacific ocean. Each space elevator has an Apex Anchor Node anchoring the upper end approximately 100,000 km above the Marine Node. It can accommodate multiple tether climbers mounted on the tether cable stretching between the two nodes. For the rest of the discussion in this series of articles, we will assume a mature infrastructure with three pairs of space elevators distributed appropriately around the equator reflecting the three owners of the commercial businesses. Each tether would be able to support seven tether climbers upon itself with a new liftoff each morning. That would be 7 climbers on 6 space elevators, resulting in 42 lifts per day at 14 metric tons of payload each. Further description of the engineering of the space elevator will be included in the second article by Dr. Knapman. Although the members of the space elevator community expect these technologies to mature into our vision of the infrastructure, we each realize that there are sizable difficulties that will be complex and challenging. An early start to the development program should assist in the mitigation of the risk factors: technology, policy, legal, and developmental issues.The members of this writing team are on the Board of Directors of the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) or members of the International Academy of Astronautics. They are very familiar with the intricacies of the infrastructure and its future development. ISEC supports many conferences and meetings on different topics, supporting the development of a space elevator with special studies leading up to presentations and discussions. ISEC has a vision and a mission for the future of an infrastructure for space access: • Our vision: A world with inexpensive, safe, routine, and efficient access to space for the benefit of all humankind.• Our mission: ISEC promotes the development, construction, and operation of a space elevator infrastructure as a revolutionary and efficient way to space for all humanity.With this motivation, we hope that you will enjoy reading about a potential solution for inexpensive, routine, and safe access to geosynchronous orbit and beyond. Now we will present three articles showing the why, how, and history of the space elevator.References1 Swan P. Why space elevators? ISEC Newsletter, September 2014. www.isec.org Google Scholar2 Swan Pet al. (editors). Space elevators: an assessment of the technological feasibility and the way forward. An IAA study report, 2013. Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byLife cycle assessment of proposed space elevator designsActa Astronautica, Vol. 161 Volume 3Issue 4Dec 2015 InformationCopyright 2015, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Cathy W. Swan.Introduction to Space Elevators and New Space.New Space.Dec 2015.211-212.http://doi.org/10.1089/space.2015.0026Published in Volume: 3 Issue 4: December 15, 2015PDF download