Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Next Big Future: Could 100 Kilometer high towers usher in the next ...

Next Big Future: Could 100 Kilometer high towers usher in the next ...: A private European organization has a proposal for creating 100-300 kilometer high multipurpose towers. The towers would be composed of m...

Change of pace here.  Space is a big interest of mine, so I won't neglect the topic.

The interesting thing here is to make a tower of lighter than air components.  Provided that the components can be kept stable, which to me is a bit "iffy", the tower can be of enormous size.   From the top of the tower, space missions could be launched.

I'm reminded of JP Aerospace's idea of getting to space with balloons.  This is quite similar, but the difference is that a static structure is used, instead of a moving vehicle.

The article discusses why this is possible and it is a fascinating discussion.  For example:
Question: What diameter would the SpaceShaft need to be?
The larger the diameter of the shaft, the stiffer it will be, and the less effort that will be needed to keep it stable against side winds. To get a better sense of the dimensions we are talking about, at sea level; the diameter of the shaft will be about one kilometer, while at the top about 100 m, pretty much like a gigantic tapered mast. It is important to underline that the system is tapered because is telescopic in nature, (that the external tubular shafts allow for the innermost ones to move vertically,) and that guy lines are also used to force it to a vertical orientation.

The discussion, while fascinating, didn't spell out enough detail in how and why it would work.  So, I'm just a bit skeptical.


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