Why we need an elevator to space! - NASA’s beam power and tether challenge as facilitators for the development of a potential “green”, low cost and safer transport to space
- Paper number
IAC-08.D4.1.1
- Author
Mr. Markus Klettner, EuroSpaceward A.s.b.l., Luxemburg
- Coauthor
Dr. Brad Edwards, EuroSpaceward A.s.b.l., United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Ben Shelef, Spaceward Foundation, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
In terms of cumulated payload to launcher mass the efficiency of conventional launcher systems does not exceed 3.5 per cent on the average. On the other hand a space elevator, a system of mechanical climbers using a ribbon strung between an anchor on Earth and a satellite beyond geosynchronous orbit, would approach an efficiency of 50 per cent already after one year of operations. Recent studies have shown that such a concept can be considered viable by applying state-of-the-art technology. The first part of the paper gives an update about the efforts of the NASA sponsored Elevator2010 programme run by the Spaceward Foundation to prove the feasibility of the system’s core elements. It also evaluates the results of NASA’s Beam Power and Tether Challenge after 4 years of prize competitions as well as the involvement of European and Japanese stakeholders in the endeavours. The second part concentrates on the properties of the space elevator for a “green”, low-cost and safer transport to space. Being researched and developed in light of constant safety and environmental impact carbon nanotube fibres are presented as ecologically engineered building blocks for the space elevator ribbon. In addition it shows how the space elevator enables a sustainable economy based on solar power satellites. The paper concludes with an outlook on the most likely political pressures that may drive the development of a space elevator.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.D4.1.1.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.