Space Elevator - Project Overview

This is a clip from a Work-In-Progress feature-length documentary by Bitter Jester Creative, Inc. As such, elements are missing and there is a temp track in the background. None of the team members and coordinators are identified in this version and there is not yet an explanation about how a proposed "Space Elevator" would work. This is all coming in a future version. For more information, consult your local Space Elevator expert or contact Bitter Jester Creative.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Space
• Elevator
• Documentary
• Bitter
• Jester
• Spaceward
• Nicolas
• DeGrazia
• Daniel
• Kullman
• Tarek
• Abdel-Halim
• Travi

[billgames]

this just doesn't seem possible. the ribbon is suppose to reach 22 thousand miles into space. I don't think people are conceptualising just how far that is. The Earth is 7 thousand miles in diameter (rounding up), so the length of the elevator will be three times the diameter of Earth. Wow! On another point, why are they messing with laser power to boost the capsules? Why not a nuclear reactor? Far more dependable and cheaper it would seem to me.

[bitterjester]

Very true about the length ... it would have to be unbelievably long, but that is the plan none the less. As for nuclear reactors ... it is my understanding that not only is this not safe (especially when talking about a three-day trip with people in close proximity), beamed power is cleaner, cheaper, and a lot more light weight. The idea here is to replace rockets, which are using expensive and heavy fuel. The use of an on-board reactor would be counter productive and counter-intuitive.

[billgames]

Nuclear power submarine tight self contained environment, capable of reprocessing air, water and lifting heavy loads. US navy has operated them for 47 years with a clean record. Gov has spend over 100 billion on SDI and still can't shoot down an ICBM. I think NASA hates it because its not green, its not PC. Then again, if they can build a 22 thousand mile ribbon, maybe thay can build a laser that can continuously hit a moving target for 3 days.

[bitterjester]

Good point re: a small space + people + nuclear power. I do think that there is a huge difference between a floating sub and a small climber trying to break out of the atmosphere. As for accurately beamed power over a long period of time, that's exactly what the Space Elevator Games are all about. If you look at the progress made by the under-funded independent teams in only 2.5 years, they're on their way! Keep your eye pealed for our documentary!

[bitterjester]

Actually, it's my understanding that a carbon nanotube cable has an obscenely high tensile strength ... but not so much in the way of cutting the ribbon from edge to edge. A swiftly-moving bird might be enough to take the thing down, much less an airplane.

[bitterjester]

There would need to be many revolutions in a row occurring, otherwise the elevator's gonna fall down. So yeah, I would hope so too.

[billgames]

@bitterjester Carbon nano tubes are 20 times more conductive than copper so wouldn't it be easier to send electricity through the ribbon? Building a ribbon 20+ thousand miles long seems preposterous. Why couldn't we build a ribbon that's maybe 50 or 100 miles long with a counterweight on the end and let capsules ride to the top and fling them into space? By adjusting the speed of the release and at what point on the ribbon they release, we could put capsules in orbit or fling them to Mars.

[Pimp1nSmurf]

Hey all you guys at MIT. The Orion project > anything you will ever do.

[matthewakian2]

I'd hate to be the astronaut in Low level orbit, trying to avoid that hard ribbon travelling at 17,500 miles per hour.

[kingofae]

solar power is still so inefficient and that is going to limit the use of it in the assent up to space methinks. good video tho, so sad that we are not making the only logical next move a reality RIGHT NOW, bailing out shitty banks and car companies is more important than space... no!

[granddad2002]

Space elevators in principle are efficient, cost effective and scalable way of reaching beyond LEO. You literally could have the solar system at you finger tips; plus the equity in a long utility structure and return of materials, this make space based manufacture more competitive than on Earth. The more uses you get on it the cheaper it gets.Of course... the engineering to make a space elevator... Interstellar light sails could follow... 99% light speed and the Universe is your tourist trap!

[billgames]

The whole concept is WTF and most likely, unworkable.

[sourmanofcoal]

@billgames nuclear reactor on the elevator? wtf?

[Superjombombo1]

@Superjombombo1 I still think its just too unsafe. See the nuclear reactors in japan. Those are just effected by an earthquake and still they find radioactive material all the way in the US even though its minute amounts. Imagine a giant nuclear reactor malfunctioning and shooting radioactive material all over the earth. It's just not safe to launch reactors with enough power to lift off itself +more....over and over again. Nuclear reactors also cost a shiton elevator is roughly 10-15bil$ estima

[billgames]

@Superjombombo1 A nuclear power car would work, but obviously sending electricity through he line is a way better idea. Instead of 22 thousand mile cable, what if the cable was a couple of hundred miles long? You'd have to power up the line for a ways, but pretty soon you'd get some serious momentum. You'd be flung into space the moment you let go. You could release from the line at lower altitudes to achieve a desired orbit. Might require some rocket burn to get the orbit stable.