WHY - The Motivation for a Space Elevator

Paper number

IAC-05-D4.2.01

Author

Dr. Peter A. Swan, Teaching Science and Technology, Inc., United States

Year

2005

Abstract

The goals and vision to motivate the development of a space elevator have been discussed repeatedly.  However, the WHY has been glossed over.  This paper will discuss the two major issues:

          Why go to Space?
          Why a space elevator infrastructure?

The emphasis for this paper is on the second quesion which is broken down into three parts:

     1 - WHY?
     2 - Cost Reduction - How much savings, 95% ?
     3 - Mission Enabling - From no to YES?

Discussions will also cover some major enabling missions that are enhanced or significantly enabled by a space elevator infrastructure.  These would be; global communications, global energy, monitoring of the Earth, global/national security, planetary defense, and exploration beyond low Earth orbit.  The bottom line for this paper is:

          Why ?    Because we MUST !

Abstract document

IAC-05-D4.2.01.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-D4.2.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.