Can we get to space without rockets?

A space elevator is a proposed type of space transportation system. Its main component is a ribbon-like cable (also called a tether) anchored to the surface and extending into space above the level of geosynchronous orbit. Vehicles can then climb the tether and reach orbit without the use of rocket propulsion.

How long does a space elevator cable need to be?

4,960 kilometers
An untapered space elevator cable would need a material capable of sustaining a length of 4,960 kilometers (3,080 mi) of its own weight at sea level to reach a geostationary altitude of 35,786 km (22,236 mi) without yielding.

Can a rail gun reach space?

According to Space, the electromagnetic railgun peaked at Mach 6, which means six times the speed of sound. If astronauts can station at the moon and mine resources, the said speed is just a fraction “slower” than the escape velocity. Thereafter, the electromagnetic railgun can toss the material into space.

Can you shoot something into orbit?

Space guns could thus potentially provide a method of non-rocket spacelaunch. However, a space gun has never been successfully used to launch an object into orbit or out of Earth’s gravitational pull.

How thick would a space elevator cable be?

The initial ribbon cable will be 5 cm wide at the base and taper to 11.5 cm at geosynchronous orbit. The thickness of this ribbon will be one micron on average.

Could space elevators be the future of mass transit?

Inspired partly by science fiction, NASA scientists are seriously considering space elevators as a mass-transit system for the next century. (requires RealPlayer) Sept. 7, 2000 — “Yes, ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard NASA’s Millennium-Two Space Elevator.

Are there any books about space elevators?

The name ‘space elevator’ is not used in this book and the device used is not suitable for transporting humans. Instead, a kind of very strong cable is used to pull massive blocks of ice up to a spaceship in orbit around a fictitious planet from its surface. Starclimber (2008), novel by Kenneth Oppel.

What is the gravitational force on a space elevator cable?

Apparent gravitational field. A space elevator cable rotates along with the rotation of the Earth. Therefore, objects attached to the cable would experience upward centrifugal force in the direction opposing the downward gravitational force.

Could a space elevator help NASA cut costs?

Pearson, who participated in the 1999 workshop, envisions the space elevator as a cost-cutting device for NASA. “One of the fundamental problems we face right now is that it’s so unbelievably expensive to get things into orbit,” said Pearson.