How much would a space elevator weigh?
After doing the math, the researchers estimated that the simplest version of the lunar elevator would be a cable thinner than a pencil and weigh about 88,000 pounds, which is within the payload capacity of the next-generation NASA or SpaceX rocket.
How high would a space elevator need to be?
approximately 62,000 miles
This is the general idea of the space elevator. The counterweight spins around the Earth, keeping the cable straight and allowing the robotic lifters to ride up and down the ribbon. Under the design proposed by LiftPort, the space elevator would be approximately 62,000 miles (100,000 km) high.
How would we build a space elevator?
There are two approaches to constructing a space elevator. Either the cable is manufactured in space or it is launched into space and gradually reinforced by additional cables, transported by climbers into space. Manufacturing the cable in space could be done in principle by using an asteroid or Near-Earth object.
How do you derive the formula for elevator tension?
Let us derive the formula for tension in three different cases. When an elevator is at rest the weight of the elevator plus the person inside it is borne by the tension in the cables. The formula for tension will be straightforward: T= m*g
What is the formula for cable tension?
T = L x w x f x W where T is the total pulling tension (lb), L is the length (ft) of cable feeder you’re pulling, w is the total weight (lb/ft) of the conductors, f is the coefficient of friction (usually 0.5 for well-lubricated conditions), and W is the weight correction factor.
How does elevator cable tension work?
Tension is a pulling force that acts in one dimension along the axis of the cables opposite to the direction of the force applied. In the case of an elevator, the pulling force in the cables is provided by the combined weight of the elevator box and the person traveling inside it.
How do you find the force acting on an elevator?
The forces acting on the elevator are Tension and weight of the elevator plus the weight of the person. The net force (m*a) should be equal to the sum of forces acting on the elevator. Hence, from the formula, we can see that the tension value will be less compared to when at rest.