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== Major SE Challenges ==
== Major SE Challenges ==
There are many technical challenges facing the construction of the space elevator.  We are at the point where we are still dealing with a few critical items that could severely impact the basic design and construction.  Beyond these issues there will be a large number of engineering issues that will need to be address but they will all be solvable with a small army of engineers. 
The primary issue we face is the production of carbon nanotube material on large scales and in mass quantity.  Many are working on this though not as many as we would like - resources are limited in spite of the fantastic commercial potential.  Because this is the 800-pound Gorilla problem of the space elevator we will discuss it on a specific page ( [[CNTs| CNTs]] ).  Beyond the CNTs we have a set of critical items that need to get addressed and this effort is an ideal way to do it.
The top issues we need to and can address are
#'''[[RibbonEnergy| Energy in ribbon]] '''
#'''[[RibbonEnergy| Energy in ribbon]] '''
## As a material is stretched it stores energy.  In the case of the SE this energy can be released quickly when the ribbon is damaged.
## The question is where does the energy go?  Is the CNT thread and even the ribbon vaporized or does it go elsewhere?  Can we control where it goes to minimize the damage.
## Detailed material’s science and engineering are required to address this issue.
## A detailed computer model is likely needed
#'''[[RibbonDesign| Optimal ribbon design]]'''
#'''[[RibbonDesign| Optimal ribbon design]]'''
## Minimize mass /  Maximize strength
#'''[[RibbonSplicing| Ribbon Splicing]] '''
## Maximize resistance to damage
#'''[[RibbonSplicing| Splicing]] '''
## Full engineering designs and implementation scenarios are required for splicing ribbons during deployment.
#'''[[Atomic Oxygen| Experimental tests of ribbon in atomic oxygen]]'''
#'''[[Atomic Oxygen| Experimental tests of ribbon in atomic oxygen]]'''
## With and without metal coating
## Evaluate strength vs  exposure
#'''[[RadProtection| Radiation protection for humans in transit]]'''
#'''[[RadProtection| Radiation protection for humans in transit]]'''
## Start with Ander’s work and evaluate extent of issue
## Outline potential solutions
##* Speed
##* Active shielding
##* Passive shielding
## Work out a scenario using solutions to  allow humans to transit on elevator
#'''[[ClimberTracking| Climber tracking]]'''
#'''[[ClimberTracking| Climber tracking]]'''
## Requires fairly complex mechanical simulation with forces
## Focus on passive roller design – canted rollers, non-straight cylinders
#'''[[Spooling| Spooling of initial ribbon for launch]]'''
#'''[[Spooling| Spooling of initial ribbon for launch]]'''
## Determine standard ribbon spooling techniques and compare to what  we need
#'''[[RibbonDegradation| Detailed modeling of ribbon degradation lifetime]]'''
#'''[[RibbonDegradation| Detailed modeling of ribbon degradation lifetime]]'''
## Full modeling of impacts, radiation , lightning, wear, UV, …
#'''[[RibbonAttachment| Ribbon attachment mechanism]]'''
#'''[[RibbonAttachment| Ribbon attachment mechanism]]'''
## Auto tensioning
## Spooling out and in
#'''[[ClimberSystem| Full system design of climber]]'''
#'''[[ClimberSystem| Full system design of climber]]'''
## Rollers
## Structure
## Motors
## Electronics
## Solar Cells
## Get commercial parts
#'''[[FullBudget| Full budget analysis of operations.]] '''
#'''[[FullBudget| Full budget analysis of operations.]] '''
Some of these are at the Ph.D. thesis level and others can be addressed by a team of engineers with the last one as the oddball that is ideal for a good set of business people in collaboration with the technical people here.
The starting point as been stated on each individual page, the rest of the work is what we need.

Revision as of 22:08, 4 July 2008

Major SE Challenges

There are many technical challenges facing the construction of the space elevator. We are at the point where we are still dealing with a few critical items that could severely impact the basic design and construction. Beyond these issues there will be a large number of engineering issues that will need to be address but they will all be solvable with a small army of engineers.

The primary issue we face is the production of carbon nanotube material on large scales and in mass quantity. Many are working on this though not as many as we would like - resources are limited in spite of the fantastic commercial potential. Because this is the 800-pound Gorilla problem of the space elevator we will discuss it on a specific page ( CNTs ). Beyond the CNTs we have a set of critical items that need to get addressed and this effort is an ideal way to do it.

The top issues we need to and can address are

  1. Energy in ribbon
  2. Optimal ribbon design
  3. Ribbon Splicing
  4. Experimental tests of ribbon in atomic oxygen
  5. Radiation protection for humans in transit
  6. Climber tracking
  7. Spooling of initial ribbon for launch
  8. Detailed modeling of ribbon degradation lifetime
  9. Ribbon attachment mechanism
  10. Full system design of climber
  11. Full budget analysis of operations.

Some of these are at the Ph.D. thesis level and others can be addressed by a team of engineers with the last one as the oddball that is ideal for a good set of business people in collaboration with the technical people here.

The starting point as been stated on each individual page, the rest of the work is what we need.

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