Space Elevator

SUBMITTED BY:-
PARAS JOSHI
R180207035
 Introduction

 A Space Elevator is a proposed space launch structure without the

use of rockets which can be used to transport material from
earth’s surface into space.
 It is essentially a long cable extending from our planet's surface
into space with its centre of mass at geostationary Earth orbit
(GEO), 35,786 km in altitude.
 It is basically the concept of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, considered
to be the founding father of rocketry and astronautics.
 The centrifugal force of earth's rotation is the main principle
behind the elevator.
 Introduction Cont.

 The concept most often refers to a cable

that reaches from the surface of the
Earth
on or near the Equator to geostationary
orbit (GSO) and a counter-mass outside
of the atmosphere.
 This structure would be held in tension
between Earth and the counterweight in
space like a guitar string held taut.
 Mathematical background

 While considering Space elevator apparent gravitational

field comes into play which is given by-
g= -K.M/r²+w².r
Whereas near the earth’s surface, it’ll be given as-
g=K.M/r²
Where g=acceleration along radius
K=gravitational constant
M=mass of the earth
r=distance from that point to earth’s center
 Math. Background Cont.

 The main technical problem is the long cable's own weight. It can
be strong enough to hold 35,000 km of itself.
 The solution is to build it in such a way that at any given point,
its cross section area is proportional to the force it has to
withstand and as per given formula-

g= acceleration along the radius

S=cross-area of the cable at any given point r
dS=its variation
ρ=density of the material used for the cable
σ =traction a given area can bear without splitting
 Counter Weight

 The emphasis is given to the counter weight as it is the main

support to hold the elevator and the climber.
 Some of the proposals are:-
 A heavy asteroid
 A space station, space dock or space port beyond geostationary
orbit
 An extension of the cable itself far beyond geostationary orbit.

 The third proposal is considered to be the better one due to its

simplicity and the fact that payload may slip into the
interplanetary space because of gained velocity when reached
the extreme end of the cable.
 Material Used

 Carbon nanotubes would be the best

option for the purpose as it is the
strongest and stiffest material yet
discovered in terms of tensile strength
and elastic modulus respectively.
 Carbon nanotubes are allotropes of
carbon
with a cylindrical nanostructure.
 Nanotubes have been constructed with
length-to-diameter ratio of up to
132,000,000:1.
 Tether Technology

 A tether is a cord or fixture that anchors

something movable to a reference point
which may be fixed or moving.
 In tether technology, cables, miles long,
are stationed in an orbit around the earth.
On one end there is a shuttle and on the
other end of the tether would be a counter
mass.
 This system picks up spacecraft in low
orbits and hurls them into higher orbits or
towards other planets.
 Power Beam Technology

 It is an electromagnetic radiation through a process of optical

amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons.
 Power Beam is revolutionizing the mode of power transmission
by integrating optical technology to produce safe, reliable and
abundant wireless power.
 Power Beam operates at a wave length which is 1400nm or
greater. These waves create the beam. The beam is collimated
giving us the ability to achieve great distances without loss in
power or efficiency.
 Risks Involved

Some of the risks which need to be considered are:-

 All satellites with perigees below the top of the elevator would
eventually collide with the elevator cable.
 Meteoroids present another problem, they would not be
predictable and much less time would be available to detect and
track them as they approach Earth.
 Corrosion is thought by some to be a risk to any thinly built
tether.
 Material defect would be one of the causes as because large
structures have more defects than small structures
 Conclusion

 Space Elevator is best option to transport material into the space

as it uses a fraction of current cost.
 As of 2000, conventional rocket designs cost about $11,000 per
pound ($25,000 per kilogram) for transfer to geostationary orbit.
Current proposals envision payload prices starting as low as $100
per pound ($220 per kilogram).
 As we are planning to explore the universe therefore it can be a
better option to use this approach so as to be economical and time
efficient.
THANK YOU