Comments on: Space elevator

By: Mick

Mick — Sat, 24 Sep 2005 00:01:22 +0000

Space elevator! Could do with some more space on the elevators at work ….

One reason for a moonbase as opposed to a space station, is that one can get many resouces from the moon and set up industrial facalities. Also, they suspect there is ice on the moon (from comets) that they might be able to use and be less dependent on earth. Plus, if you build on the moon, or rather, under the moons surface you get more protection for Solar Radiation and Cosmic Rays than a space station with tin walls …

By: maca

maca — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 06:28:28 +0000

The only answer I can give for “why not”, is why not spend the time/money/energy on something which would be more advantageous, which I believe the space elevator would be.
If the elevator was in place it would probably make exploration easier, it would solve the problem of getting shuttles into orbit and back to earth again. IMO.

p.s. welcome to the site Brian. Do you work for Liftport? Sounds like a very interesting place to work.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 04:30:08 +0000

As for ‘why’ a base on the moon? Why not. Some people will want to go; there will be economic reaons for them to do so and work for them to do.

I like to think of NASA’s new plan as getting back to what they do best – exploration. Leave it to private enterprise to fill in behind them and settle up the place.

For that last task a space elevator will be all kinds of good.

By: maca

maca — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 21:55:10 +0000

I don’t see any advantages to a moon base to be honest. Their biggest problem is getting people into space frequently & safely. The elevator seems like the best way. And they could just build an orbiting base anyway, ISS Part 2 perhaps?

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 21:33:54 +0000

I thought the whole reason to put people back on the moon was to build a permanent base with a mind to Mars exploration. But apparently, they’re going to bottle it and just do Apollo: the reprise.