Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: KevinDavis
the space elevator is a tethered cable - held taut by a counterweight object at the other end - that would extend 62,000 miles from into space.

Is 62,000 miles a bit of an overstatement? There is only 62 miles between the earth's surface and the end of the atmosphere. Perhaps it needs to be that long to work as a counterbalance?

5 posted on 10/03/2007 6:02:22 PM PDT by Teflonic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Teflonic

The anchor weight needs to be in geosyncronous orbit in order for the space elevator concept to work. That is 62,300 miles up.


6 posted on 10/03/2007 6:07:57 PM PDT by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Teflonic
Oops, my bad! Geosynchronous orbit is 26,200 miles, not 62,300 miles!

Space Elevator FAQs

7 posted on 10/03/2007 6:16:45 PM PDT by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson