MessageToEagle.com - Once upon a time, the biblical patriarch Jacob had a dream of a ladder leading to heaven,
and angels ascending and descending on it.
We, modern human, also have a dream to come closer to high heavens and the idea of a space elevator is not a new one.
Already, in 1895, a Russian called Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857 – 1935), Russian rocket scientists and a true visionary
and pioneer of astronautics proposed a free-standing “Tsiolkovsky” tower that would stretch from the Earth’s surface to
a ‘counterweight’ somewhere in geostationary orbit.
Later many others came up with ideas.
"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard NASA's Millennium-Two Space Elevator. Your first stop will be the Lunar-level
platform before we continue on to the New Frontier Space Colony development.
The entire ride will take about 5 hours, so sit back and enjoy the trip.
As we rise, be sure to watch outside the window as the curvature of the Earth becomes visible and the sky changes
from deep blue to black, truly one of the most breathtaking views you will ever see!"
These words do not need to be immediately associated with science fiction, engineers worldwide
seriously consider space elevators as a mass-transit system for the next century.
There are futuristic plans to build a "space elevator", a far-out space transportation system for the next century.
The Japanese engineers, say that within forty years, they will built a 36,000km high elevator into space in which,
passengers would spend 7.5 days traveling up to the station.
Today, this sounds almost unbelievable because we have never seen a 36,000km structure - elsewhere.
The Stratram Project - a proposal for a maglev space launch system. Credits: Startram.com/
The Stratram Project. Credits: Startram.com/
However, almost everything is possible. We must not forget, incredibly sensational event - the first skyscraper in the world -
built in Chicago, in 1885. It was only 138 feet (0.42 km) tall, but many also doubted the success.
The plan calls for 96,000 kilometers (60,000 miles) of carbon nanotube cables extending from an anchor planted in the sea,
into space where it would be secured by a spaceport - also serving as a counterweight.
Below the midpoint, at 36,000 km, the passengers would have the terminal station with living quarters and laboratories,
at their disposal.
The elevator is designed to take 30 passengers at a time into space at a speed of 125 miles an hour.
Zero gravity would also add to the experience and would kick in after about 5 days into the journey, the scientists say.
But how about the cost of such impressive project?
The Japanese are not ready to talk about it.
"At this moment, we cannot estimate the cost for the project," an Obayashi official informed.
"However, we'll try to make steady progress so that it won't end just up as simply a dream."
Also current technologies are not sufficient and must develop further to deliver carbon nanotubes, the primary material
that must be used to make the elevator cable and 20 times stronger than steel, to produce cables for the space elevator.
By 2050, however, fast developing technologies are able to deliver genetically-modified spider silk. With this material,
it could be possible to construct a super strong cable.
Significant reduction in the launch cost is a precondition for the expansion of commercial activities into space, the scientists say.
Maglev (magnetic levitation) is a method of using the forces produced from either electromagnets or permanent magnets
to suspend, support, guide, separate and/or propel objects.
The idea of an elevator into space has been around for some decades. The Startram orbital launch system would
transport passengers and cargo into space in a magnetic levitation (maglev) train
"Maglev launch assist vehicle (Maglifter)," we read in the paper, "has been proposed to provide a high ground takeoff velocity (up to
1000 km/h), which is expected to cut down the propellant consumption and the structure mass for space vehicles."
"On the other hand, Maglev technology has made great progress since the 1920s. The ground velocity of the Maglev train has attained
550 km/h, which provides feasibility for the achievement of Maglifter. However, during the Maglev launch assist, the Maglifter will endure complicated
aerodynamic effects, such as aerodynamic forces and moments, which will cause some problems on the Maglev system..."
What seems impossible and laughable today may seem surprisingly doable tomorrow.
Arthur C. Clarke was once asked when a futuristic space elevator would become a reality and he gave
probably the best answer: "Probably about 50 years after everybody quits laughing".
It means that visions could turn science fiction into reality but this vision costs... because traveling to space is not cheap.
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In 1943, an ancient papyrus was bought by the Cairo museum.
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We certainly live in exciting times. More and more devices that have long been considered pure science fiction are now quickly becoming reality.
A vast structure of satellite galaxies and clusters of stars surrounding our Galaxy, stretching out across a million light years
has been discovered by astronomers from the University of Bonn in Germany .
The work challenges the existence of dark matter, part of the standard model for the evolution of the universe.
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