Table of Contents
- 1 Could a space elevator be built on the moon?
- 2 Is a space elevator theoretically possible?
- 3 Can a space elevator be built on Mars?
- 4 How expensive would a space elevator be?
- 5 Can the Moon be reached by a space elevator?
- 6 How much would it cost to build a lunar space elevator?
- 7 Should we invest in space elevators?
Could a space elevator be built on the moon?
According to a study published in 2019, a lunar elevator could be the answer. A cable anchored to the lunar surface would stretch most of the 400,000km (250,000 miles) home. It couldn’t be directly attached to the Earth, due to the relative motions of the two objects, but it could terminate high in Earth orbit.
Is a space elevator theoretically possible?
A space elevator is possible with today’s technology, researchers say (we just need to dangle it off the moon) Space elevators would dramatically reduce the cost of reaching space but have never been technologically feasible.
How would a moon elevator work?
A space elevator is a proposed transportation system connecting the Earth’s surface to space. The elevator would allow vehicles to travel to orbit or space without the use of rockets. Gravity would pull downward on the cable, while centrifugal force from the orbiting counterweight would pull upward.
Can a space elevator be built on Mars?
The transport from Mars’ surface to Mars’ orbit and vice versa can be achieved by a Space Elevator. Since the gravity of Mars is lower than the gravity of Earth the requirements to the tensile strength of the rope is less, making this construction easier.
How expensive would a space elevator be?
A space elevator built according to the Edwards proposal is estimated to cost $6 billion.
How fast would a space elevator go?
Current status
| Parameter | Required | Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 83 m/s (300 km/h) a | 18.3 m/s (66 km/h) 4 m/s (14 km/h) |
| Altitude | 36,000 km | 1km |
| Payload | 10kg | |
| Laser power beaming |
Can the Moon be reached by a space elevator?
Anything anywhere else (which includes the Moon) cannot be reached by a space elevator, because the cable connecting the object to the ground would wind all the way around the Earth, at least once every time it orbits the Earth (in the case of the Moon, it would wind around the Earth about ten times per orbit,
How much would it cost to build a lunar space elevator?
New study suggests that a lunar space elevator could be built for about $1 billion using existing technology. Since the dawn of the space era more than six decades ago, there’s been just one way to get to the moon and back: rockets.
What is a space elevator and how does it work?
For example, a classical space elevator might be used to assemble a huge spacecraft in Earth orbit and then launch it from there. Experts say that would likely be easier than launching the spacecraft from Earth, where gravity is so intense.
Should we invest in space elevators?
Space elevators are a fascinating concept as they will bring down the cost of space travel enormously. If we really want space travel to become available for the masses in the future we should invest in this concept. Two astronomers recently proposed a new concept building on the idea of a space elevator called a spaceline.