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Science (non-SETI) :
Why not build a space elevator at the moon?
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Bob DeWoody Send message Joined: 9 May 10 Posts: 3387 Credit: 4,182,900 RAC: 10 |
Instead of trying to deal with all the problems associated with constructing a space elevator here on earth. The moon would be an excellent testing ground for building future space elevators on earth or at Mars. It would also make getting to and from the surface of the moon very cheap in the long run. Bob DeWoody My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events. |
Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
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Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
Wouldn't it cost more to be able to have oxygen on the moon as to be able to build the elevator? I'm just saying the construction site on the moon would cost more than on earth because of the lack of oxygen on the moon to be able to build the elevator. rOZZ Music Pictures |
Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
Wouldn't it cost more to be able to have oxygen on the moon as to be able to build the elevator? Good point. rOZZ Music Pictures |
W-K 666 Send message Joined: 18 May 99 Posts: 19396 Credit: 40,757,560 RAC: 67 |
Wouldn't there be problems due to the Moon being Tidal Locked, not being a true sphere and that the Moon's equatorial plane does not match that of the Earth. So that the "Object" the elevator would go to would never be in a stable position. |
Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
Wouldn't there be problems due to the Moon being Tidal Locked, not being a true sphere and that the Moon's equatorial plane does not match that of the Earth. Ionized propulsion would be a good solution to that. rOZZ Music Pictures |
Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
Ionized propulsion would be a good solution to that. Sounds like a good idea for recycling as well IMO. rOZZ Music Pictures |
Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
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Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
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Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
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Bob DeWoody Send message Joined: 9 May 10 Posts: 3387 Credit: 4,182,900 RAC: 10 |
Answering the question about oxygen. It is pretty well established that on or near the surface of the moon water exists in the form of ice. Oxygen can easily be extracted from water. The moon does spin, the rotational period just coincides with its orbital period around the earth. There are suggestion that an elevator could be located near one of the poles.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_space_elevator Bob DeWoody My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events. |
betreger Send message Joined: 29 Jun 99 Posts: 11415 Credit: 29,581,041 RAC: 66 |
I can easily see how one would work on the equator but I don't see how it would work at the poles. |
Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
Answering the question about oxygen. It is pretty well established that on or near the surface of the moon water exists in the form of ice. Oxygen can easily be extracted from water. The moon does spin, the rotational period just coincides with its orbital period around the earth. There are suggestion that an elevator could be located near one of the poles.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_space_elevator Which costs money. We wouldn't have to perform that procedure on earth. rOZZ Music Pictures |
Bob DeWoody Send message Joined: 9 May 10 Posts: 3387 Credit: 4,182,900 RAC: 10 |
Answering the question about oxygen. It is pretty well established that on or near the surface of the moon water exists in the form of ice. Oxygen can easily be extracted from water. The moon does spin, the rotational period just coincides with its orbital period around the earth. There are suggestion that an elevator could be located near one of the poles.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_space_elevator But, on the moon, assuming a growing colony is the plan, there is no wind and weather to contend with as well as aircraft and the ever growing quantity of orbital debris. Also the strength necessary for the cable is much less than what is needed to build one here. Then there is always the possibility of a catastrophic failure which here on earth could kill thousands of people whereas on the moon a failure would be a financial disaster but the danger to people would be minimal. This all assumes that a permanent base on the moon is being established without which it is a moot point. Bob DeWoody My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events. |
Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
Answering the question about oxygen. It is pretty well established that on or near the surface of the moon water exists in the form of ice. Oxygen can easily be extracted from water. The moon does spin, the rotational period just coincides with its orbital period around the earth. There are suggestion that an elevator could be located near one of the poles.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_space_elevator We have to consider various factors but IMO earth would be a better and safer place to work out the concept. rOZZ Music Pictures |
Cactus Bob Send message Joined: 19 May 99 Posts: 209 Credit: 10,924,287 RAC: 29 |
The whole idea of building a space elevator is bring the cost of getting to space as cheap as possible (once the original cost is recovered). Building one on the moon where gravity is much less would have less benefit and it would not help reduce the cost on this planet at all. This isn't to say that putting one on the moon makes no sense it just seems earth would be the priority. Bob Sometimes I wonder, what happened to all the people I gave directions to? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SETI@home classic workunits 4,321 SETI@home classic CPU time 22,169 hours |
Julie Send message Joined: 28 Oct 09 Posts: 34060 Credit: 18,883,157 RAC: 18 |
The whole idea of building a space elevator is bring the cost of getting to space as cheap as possible (once the original cost is recovered). Building one on the moon where gravity is much less would have less benefit and it would not help reduce the cost on this planet at all. This isn't to say that putting one on the moon makes no sense it just seems earth would be the priority. Agreed. We also have to bear in mind that the moon is subject to cosmic radiation as it lacks an atmosphere. rOZZ Music Pictures |
Sarge Send message Joined: 25 Aug 99 Posts: 12273 Credit: 8,569,109 RAC: 79 |
The whole idea of building a space elevator is bring the cost of getting to space as cheap as possible (once the original cost is recovered). Building one on the moon where gravity is much less would have less benefit and it would not help reduce the cost on this planet at all. This isn't to say that putting one on the moon makes no sense it just seems earth would be the priority. Uhhh ... get to the Moon, but then get from the Moon to some other place more easily in 2 hops than 1 direct hop from Earth to non-lunar destination? Capitalize on this good fortune, one word can bring you round ... changes. |
AMDave Send message Joined: 9 Mar 01 Posts: 234 Credit: 11,671,730 RAC: 0 |
Instead of trying to deal with all the problems associated with constructing a space elevator here on earth. The moon would be an excellent testing ground for building future space elevators on earth or at Mars. It would also make getting to and from the surface of the moon very cheap in the long run. The answer lies here.  Advance to 1:03:26. |
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