Designing a space elevator
section in his report to space debris. He claims that space debris larger than 10 cm is already being tracked by U.S. Space Command and that the Haystack Observatory is beginning to track debris up to 1 cm in diameter. In Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the density of space debris is so high that the space lift can be expected to be hit and possibly severed once every 250 days. Edwards explains that the current tracking system for the space elevator is almost sufficient. However, the tracking system is not yet capable of detecting debris less than 1 cm. Also, there is just too much space debris, so it is exceedingly difficult to avoid it. Therefore, the consequences and challenges of designing a space debris avoidance system are therefore one of the most difficult technical challenges, as there is too much space debris and the technology to track smaller materials does not exist. The space elevator is a complex construct with numerous engineering challenges to overcome to make it functional: developing a cable with the right material properties, overcoming the forces acting on the space elevator and avoiding space debris. Developing a cable strong enough to withstand gravitational and centrifugal forces is beyond our manufacturing capabilities. Studies have shown that there are materials such as carbon nanotubes that are adequately strong but it is extremely difficult to mass produce them. Research suggests that it could take 30 years for the material to reach the market. In addition, the forces acting on the space elevator are to some extent avoidable, as there is a way to protect the cable. However, there are still many unknown factors that could spell destruction. Finding ways to avoid space debris is also blocking our progress towards a functional space elevator, as space debris can damage the cable. Since there is simply too much material in space, it seems impossible to design something that can avoid all collisions. The design of the cable, a way to avoid forces and space debris are therefore some of the most significant engineering challenges to designing a functional space elevator as they must be overcome in order for the elevator to work.
Bibliography
• Colin Lecher (2012) The First Steps Toward a Lunar Space Elevator [online] Available at: https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-08/group-launches-kickstarter-take-first-step- toward-space-elevator/ . [Accessed 21 Dec. 22] • Ted-Ed, Fabio Pacucci (2021) Yes, scientists are actually building an elevator to space - Fabio Pacucci [online video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQhmsDkZhQA. [Accessed 21 Dec. 22] • Are Space Elevators Possible? – Real engineering (2020) [online video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa_xteu_Mts [Accessed 21 Dec. 22] • The Science of Science Fiction (2022) Space Elevators - Could We Really Build an Elevator into Space? [online video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz-5sIUNxoo [Accessed 28 Dec. 22] • Getting to Space Could Become a Lot Easier - Bloomberg Quicktake: Originals (2022) [online video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1lxjpjogcg [Accessed 23 Dec. 2022] • Challenges for Engineering A Space Elevator, Vincent Smith (2017) [online] Available at: https://www.engineering.com/story/3-challenges-for-engineering-a-space-elevator [Accessed 23 Dec. 22] • Carbon Nanotubes and Related Nanomaterials: Critical Advances and Challenges for Synthesis toward Mainstream Commercial Applications (2018) [online] Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acsnano.8b06511 [Accessed 23 Dec. 22] • The Space Elevator, Bradley C. Edwards (2003) [online paper] Available at: www.niac.usra.edu/files/studies/final_report/472Edwards.pdf [Accessed 7 January 2023]
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