space elevator
Cable to orbit
A space elevator is a proposed structure extending from Earth's surface to orbit, allowing vehicles to climb into space without rockets.
The concept typically involves a cable anchored at the equator and held taut by centrifugal force, with a counterweight beyond geostationary orbit.
Though theoretically more efficient than rockets, no material yet exists strong enough to build one: Carbon nanotubes might finally make the space elevator possible.
Surname, alternate spelling
- beanstalkLegume plant's stem
- megastructureMassive artificial construction
- asteroid miningHarvesting materials from celestial bodies
- skyhookFictional implement for gullible apprentices
rotovator · sci-fi · visionary · speculative
Fastening cord for animals
- counterweightBalancing mass in machinery
- carbon nanotubesRolled hexagonal lattice structures
- geostationary orbitRotation-synchronized satellite trajectory
- climberOne who scales
tensile strength · load-bearing · material science · centripetal force · ribbon · deployment · oscillation · damping
Fixed above one point
- counterweightBalancing mass in machinery
- geosynchronousOrbiting at planetary rotation speed
- centrifugal forceApparent outward push when turning
- orbital mechanicsScience of celestial motion
escape velocity · microgravity · LEO · satellite · orbital station · orbital velocity · Earth orbit · altitude
One who scales
- payloadCarried freight or charge
- cargoTransported goods
- ascentUpward movement
- descentDownward slope or lineage
freight · spaceport · throughput · transit time · embarkation · terminus · way station · capacity
Spending on foundational systems
- commercializationProfit-driven market introduction
- operational costsOngoing business expenditures
- ROIProfit-to-cost ratio
- feasibilityPotential for success
Clarke
Surname, alternate spelling
- beanstalkLegume plant's stem
- megastructureMassive artificial construction
- asteroid miningHarvesting materials from celestial bodies
skyhook · rotovator · sci-fi · visionary · speculative
tether
Fastening cord for animals
- counterweightBalancing mass in machinery
- carbon nanotubesRolled hexagonal lattice structures
- geostationary orbitRotation-synchronized satellite trajectory
climber · tensile strength · load-bearing · material science · centripetal force · ribbon · deployment · oscillation · damping · graphene
geostationary
Fixed above one point
- counterweightBalancing mass in machinery
- geosynchronousOrbiting at planetary rotation speed
- centrifugal forceApparent outward push when turning
orbital mechanics · escape velocity · microgravity · LEO · satellite · orbital station · orbital velocity · Earth orbit · altitude · apogee
climber
One who scales
descent · freight · spaceport · throughput · transit time · embarkation · terminus · way station · capacity · scheduling
infrastructure investment
Spending on foundational systems
- commercializationProfit-driven market introduction
- operational costsOngoing business expenditures
- ROIProfit-to-cost ratio
feasibility · funding · satellite deployment · privatization
- spaceflightlaunch, astronaut, spacecraft, liftoff, orbit
- Future Transporthyperloop, maglev, air taxi, drone taxi, autonomous car
- future vehiclesflying car, hovercraft, hoverboard, jetpack, hover car
- Sci-Fi Settingsstarship, alien planet, moon base, Mars colony, colony ship
- sci-fi techteleporter, time travel, cryonics, force fields, time machine
- Futurismjetpacks, holograms, robots, androids, cyborgs
space elevatorrocket
Propulsion-driven spacecraft
chemical rocket · rocket launch · launch vehicle · ballistic missile · space shuttle
space, elevated, elevator, elevate, elevation, spaceship, spaces, spacing, spatial