Design Considerations for Space Elevator Tether Climbers

Design Considerations for Space Elevator Tether Climbers
Author: Cathy Swan
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 93
Release: 2014-04-13
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1312099828

The subject selected for this 2013 study is the Space Elevator Tether Climber. The objective of the one year study was to survey current concepts and technologies related to tether climbers, identify critical issues, questions, and concerns, assess their impact on the development of space elevators, and project towards the future. The following are a few of the conclusions: - The study used the concept of "constant power" as a baseline because of its ability to lower design requirements on the tether climber. - The mass breakout of 6 MT for a climber and 14 MT for customer payloads seems feasible. The estimate is that with a travel time of one week to GEO seven tether climbers can be on a tether simultaneously. - The communication architecture should be integrated into the space elevator infrastructure and nodal layout. - Solar power, as the sole source, appears achievable. - The use of laser power as the sole source also seems achievable.

Design Characteristics of a Space Elevator Earth Port

Design Characteristics of a Space Elevator Earth Port
Author: Robert E. 'Skip' Penny, Jr.
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 81
Release: 2016-02-17
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1329910605

The International Space Elevator Consortium conducted a year-long study on the development of a space elevator Earth Port. This report addresses the functional requirements and missions leading to a mature engineering complex along the equator. The report represents the culmination of efforts by multiple contributors describing the functions and operations of the Earth Port and how it interacts with other space elevator nodes. The challenge was to bring in a fresh perspective on an Earth Port by leveraging experts in many fields beyond those normally associated with space elevators. As a result of the contributions from a variety of professional backgrounds, this study should reflect a more realistic perspective of the activities at the Earth Port of a future space elevator.

Design Considerations for the Multi-stage Space Elevator

Design Considerations for the Multi-stage Space Elevator
Author: John Knapman
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 102
Release: 2019-01-13
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0359332323

The multi-stage space elevator offers an alternative to the single-ribbon design, making it possible to construct the elevator with present-day materials. Details of the multi-stage design and technology are presented, including stability calculations, prototype planning and cost estimates.

Design Considerations for a Software Space Elevator Simulator

Design Considerations for a Software Space Elevator Simulator
Author: Dennis Wright
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 57
Release: 2018-03-14
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1387654373

The International Space Elevator Consortium 2017 study report recommends the development of a software simulator for the design, construction and operational phases of a space elevator. This report summarizes the use cases, requirements, design elements and concept of operations for such a simulator.

Design Considerations for the Space Elevator Apex Anchor and GEO Node

Design Considerations for the Space Elevator Apex Anchor and GEO Node
Author: Peter Swan
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 77
Release: 2017-06-07
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1387024523

The study team took on the challenge of expanding the "body of knowledge" pertaining to the Apex and Geosynchronous elements of the Space Elevator. A special effort was made to describe the elements in the context of an entire Space Elevator. The report complements and expands earlier ISEC Space Elevator reports on the Climber, Operations Concept, Architectures & Roadmaps, and Earth Port. To do so, we have established; 1. A robust set of definitions within the Geosynchronous and Apex Regions, and 2. The Strategic Approach to Architectural Development of a Space Elevator

Space Elevators: A History

Space Elevators: A History
Author: David Raitt
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 145
Release: 2017-03-07
Genre: History
ISBN: 1365806715

Under the editorship of David Raitt, this timely book brings together for the first time the record of people, places, developments and activities, in fiction and in fact, of the space elevator - a 100,000 km long, meter wide, ribbon reaching up from the Earth and into space along which robotic climbers that will travel to bring payloads into orbit at a fraction of the price of rocket launches. The chapters in the book cover the early pioneers who dreamt up the concept initially some 120 years ago; the work of modern day scientists and engineers who have developed the concept into doable plans; how the concept has been portrayed in novels, films and art; the conferences at which interested people could present and discuss their work and ideas; the global community that has grown up around space elevators and the competition challenges that have been held; and what the future may hold.

Today's Space Elevator

Today's Space Elevator
Author: Peter Swan
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2019-09-22
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 035993496X

In the last year, the International Space Elevator Consortium assessed that basic technological needs can be met with current capabilities: and, each segment of the Space Elevator Transportation System is ready for engineering validation. Because of the availability of a new material as a potential Space Elevator tether, the community strongly believes that a Space Elevator will be initiated in the near term. Included in the book is a series of appendices that are tremendous references to the status of the space elevator today. Included are a lexicon of space elevator terms, over 750 references in the bibliography, short descriptions of eight ISEC year-long studies and two IAA 4-year studies on space elevators, as well as a summary of over 20 Architectural Notes covering the development of space elevator technologies.

Today's Space Elevator Assured Survivability Approach for Space Debris

Today's Space Elevator Assured Survivability Approach for Space Debris
Author: Peter Swan
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 64
Release: 2020-02-29
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1678181919

This study was designed to take the concept of Space Elevators and answer some questions relative to space debris. The team built upon the 2010 study on the topic and addressed many other issues to include: - The probabilities of orbital conjunctions between a space elevator and debris in Low Earth Orbit, Geo Earth Orbit, and Medium Earth Orbit. - The growth rate of space debris as it threatens operational space elevator (2010, 2019, 2030)? - Mitigation of risk for the space community through design, policies, operations, and lowering the threat. This year's study topic focused upon calculations for potential conjunction probabilities from densities of debris for 2010, 2019, and 2030. ""Space debris mitigation is an engineering problem with definable quantities such as density of debris and lengths/widths of targets. With proper knowledge and good operational procedures, the threat of space debris is not a show-stopper. However, mitigation approaches must be accepted and implemented robustly.""

The Space Elevator

The Space Elevator
Author: Bradley C. Edwards
Publisher:
Total Pages: 380
Release: 2002
Genre: Science
ISBN:

The authors take the reader through the history of the concept, technical design and economic practicalities of building an elevator to space, and, ultimately, the implications of what such a low cost transportation system would mean to society. Based on three years of NASA-funded studies and written for the technically literate layperson, Edwards and Westling discuss the recent technological advances that now make the space elevator feasible. They conclude by addressing the effects that the space elevator could have on mankind's future from communications and energy to colonizing space.