SpaceElevatorApplications
From SpaceElevatorWiki.com
Applications
Justification for construction of the space elevator is critical - to reason to build it and it won't be built. To this end, well defined applications are absolutely critical.
Application | Status |
Solar Power Satellites | Air Force write up, images, Kellum report |
Lunar Base | proposal |
Mars Elevator / Base | File:Martian Elevator.odt, File:Mars cable.aoi, |
Asteroid Elevator | File:Asteroid Elevator.odt |
Geostation | File:Inflatable Geodesic Sphere.odt |
Tourism | File:ASCENTFinalReport V1.pdf, File:ASCENTFinalReport V2.pdf Futron reports |
Military | NSA White paper |
Status
The climber has the most engineering work that needs to be done and the most opportunity for individuals and groups to get directly involved.
Work Needed
Item | Notes | Completed and Ongoing Efforts |
Full review and independent assessment of lunar base proposal | Viability, issues, business or other rational for doing this. | |
Full review of Solar Power Satellite concept | Realistically do we need SSP? If so review and evaluate Kellum's work. Categorize potential sponsors for such a system - Japan, British Petroleum,..., also is manned presence required if so evaluate geostation viability | |
Evaluate tourism potential | Based on current space tourism studies, what is the best business case for tourism with the space elevator - 8 hour trips to LEO, 24 hour trips to LEO, 3 week trips to a GEO station,...? | |
Evaluate long-term economic impact of a space elevator for investor/owner | How rich do owners become in various scenarios, how would an elevator affect the builder's economy (U.S., Japan, Germany, Korea, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, ...) |