Space Elevator: Stability

Paper number

IAC-06-D4.2.04

Author

Dr. Lubos Perek, Astronomical Institute, Czech Academy of sciences, Czech Republic

Year

2006

Abstract

The large dimensions of the Space Elevator and its lack of resistance against buckling or bending require a detailed study of its stability.The Space Elevator is acted upon, beside the main forces, by perturbations caused by the attraction of the Sun and of the Moon, by deviations of the body of the Earth from a sphere, and by the pressure of the solar radiation.
     Perturbations attain different values and directions at different parts of the Elevator, consequently leading to deformations of the Elevator from a straight line directed to the center of the Earth. To counteract the perturbations and to maintain the Elevator in its stable configuration, station-keeping thrusters, known from geostationary satellites, have to be mounted on the main bodies of the Elevator, as well as at selected points along the cable.
     The control system of the thrusters has to be adaptive, reacting fast to actual situation. The system would also provide protection against collisions with space debris. Sensors mounted along the cable would be connected to a computing facility. Approaching objects would be detected, trajectories determined and extrapolated. Evasive movements of local parts of the cable would obviate cumbersome maneuvers of the ground platform.
     An additional advantage of the system of thrusters is the freedom to locate the Space elevator at any longitude, possibly selecting a location with minimum traffic in the geostationary region. 
      Since analytical methods are restricted to integrable  problems, numerical simulations are strongly advocated.

Abstract document

IAC-06-D4.2.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-D4.2.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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