Reactions
Letters to the editor Space elevators The Periodic Graphics article in the July 1, 2024, issue of C&EN titled “The Science of Space Elevators” (page 25) is so oversimplified as to be tantamount to farce. The implication from the article is that the only major problem that needs to be solved is the tensile strength of the cable. This is far from the case. I struck out in trying to find information about space elevators from NASA but did find a more serious discussion of the topic (even though incomplete) on Northeastern Global News. Here I simply list important considerations. To discuss and explain them would require a longer message than is allowed in a C&EN letter to the editor. Other considerations are the following: The ground terminus must be in a geologically stable location. The ground terminus must rest on bedrock. The ground terminus must be at Earth’s equator.
Publication Details
- Journal
- C&EN Global Enterprise
- Published
- 2024-08-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-10224-reactions
- Primary Topic
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00