RibbonDesign

Optimal Ribbon Design

An optimal ribbon design has minimize mass and maximize axial strength - this is paramount for the space elevator. The ribbon must also have a high resistance to damage.

The baseline ribbon design incorporates aspects to deal with meteors, atomic oxygen, radiation, wind, etc. and does so with a high strength to weight ratio. This design to first order deals with the major issues however the details of the design must be examined and optimized and several major questions must be answered.

What is the optimal fiber size and number? What is the optimal interconnect design, size, spacing, construction,...? Can spun CNT fiber be coated completely with a metal and will it survive the climbers? How will the ribbon react when it is damaged with a micrometeor? What dynamic stresses and oscillations will be created in the ribbon by wind?

All of these need to be answered quantitatively.