From: Jeff Davis (jrd1415@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue Aug 27 2002 - 14:25:48 MDT
Friends,
--- Eugen Leitl <eugen@leitl.org> wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Aug 2002, Rafal Smigrodzki wrote:
>
> > Now, this *is* smart - almost all the benefits of
> the space elevator, and no
> > need for miracles, either.
<snip>
> A 100 km high and 300 km long self-carrying
> structure (not a cable) made
> from diamond. I shudder to think what you would
> consider a miracle...
>
> Hey, how about an artificial mountain, 30 km high?
>
Rather than a support structure based on compression,
consider an alternative based on tension.
A half-cone (axially bisected) "balloon" lying
flat--on the plane of bisection--with the launch tube
mounted atop the "ramp"/dorsal spine of the balloon.
The weight of the tube would depress and divide the
dorsal spine, so that the tube would rest in the
"dorsal saddle" between the (now two) parallel dorsal
sub-spines. The cross section would look similar to
the McDonald's Golden Arches.
The launch tube (w/retractable end cap), would be
evacuated, allowing acceleration without air
resistance along the length of the tube. The
acceleration mechanism could be located--and the
acceleration take place--at ground level. Having
achieved the appropriate velocity, the launch vehicle
would then enter the ramp portion of the tube, be
carried to orbital altitude--the doors at the end of
the launch tube opened in a timely manner--and the
vehicle sent on its way. A slight side thrust could
then be added to widen its orbit.
The edges of the balloon--it would have no
bottom--would be anchored and airtight--with a very
small 'footprint'--where it meets the surface. I
envision it located at sea along the equator.
Have a nice day.
Best, Jeff Davis
"When I am working on a problem I never think about
beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem.
But when I have finished, if the solution is not
beautiful, I know it is wrong."
- Buckminster Fuller
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