Does a space elevator have to be on the equator?

To support the weight of a tether and payload, the object to be used as a “space anchor” must actually be in an equatorial orbit but at a greater than geostationary altitude. The whole point of a space elevator is to get a payload out of Earth’s gravity well.

How does a space elevator work?

A space elevator is conceived as a cable fixed to the equator and reaching into space. This produces enough upward centrifugal force from Earth’s rotation to fully counter the downward gravity, keeping the cable upright and taut. Climbers carry cargo up and down the cable.

Why Space elevators are impossible?

Instead of burning expensive fuel to launch heavy objects off of Earth’s surface, the elevator could convey them up the tether past lower Earth orbit and into space. But the real reason space elevators only exist in science fiction is simple: We can’t build them.

Can we make a space elevator?

A space elevator is possible with today’s technology, researchers say (we just need to dangle it off the moon) Space elevators would dramatically reduce the cost of reaching space but have never been technologically feasible.

Is China building a space elevator?

China Shoots for Stars With Plans to Build Space Elevator by 2045. (Yicai Global) Nov. 17 — The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a subordinate of the nation’s main space program contractor China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. By 2035, CASC hopes to make all of its launch vehicles reusable.

Which country will make space elevator?

A space elevator on Earth or the moon could make space travel and cargo transport easier, cheaper, and more sustainable. Companies in China and Japan hope to build such elevators by 2045 and 2050, respectively. Japanese researchers have even tested miniature prototypes in space.

How does a counterweight on a space elevator work?

A counterweight at the upper end keeps the center of mass well above geostationary orbit level. This produces enough upward centrifugal force from Earth’s rotation to fully counter the downward gravity, keeping the cable upright and taut.

How long would it take to build a space elevator?

He suggested using a counterweight that would be slowly extended out to 144,000 kilometers (89,000 miles) (almost half the distance to the Moon) as the lower section of the elevator were built.

Where is the greatest tension on a space elevator cable?

Cable section. Historically, the main technical problem has been considered the ability of the cable to hold up, with tension, the weight of itself below any given point. The greatest tension on a space elevator cable is at the point of geostationary orbit, 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above the Earth’s equator.

Is the space elevator a tensile or compression structure?

Tsiolkovsky’s conceptual tower was a compression structure, while modern concepts call for a tensile structure (or “tether”). 20th century Building a compression structure from the ground up proved an unrealistic task as there was no material in existence with enough compressive strength to support its own weight under such conditions.