The space elevator that just might happen in my lifetime

The space elevator that just might happen in my lifetime

Japanese construction company announces intentions to develop novel concept

BY ROBERT McINTOSH

Japanese construction giant Obayashi Corporation has announced its intentions to build the world’s first fully operational space elevator by 2050.

While the idea of a space elevator has been described in numerous novels, Obayashi’s design most closely represents a 1979 science fiction novel, The Fountains of Paradise that. In the story, author Arthur C. Clarke describes the construction of an elevator as an alternative platform to launching humans into space (without rockets), where it links to a satellite in geostationary orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth’s surface.

Sure, the whole thing might sound a bit far-fetched, but the idea comes from the same engineer / scientist / author who developed upon the concept of the communication satellite, and who formulated the three laws of prediction:

1. When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.

2. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.

3. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

It’s probably safe to say that Sir Arthur is smiling down from Heaven at Obayashi’s announcement (though he did confess to being an atheist, Clarke had a fascination with the paranormal, so I will take liberties and suggest that whatever or wherever one’s life energy transforms to in the afterlife, that is, wherever Clarke’s spirit is right now, surely he’s pleased).

The trials and tribulations of being a Clarkean enthusiast

I, for one, am very happy to hear about Obayashi’s intentions. I read Clarke’s novel back when it first came out and was certain that by the time I reached middle-age, the technology would exist and I would be able to afford the fare to be a space tourist.

Granted, I said the same thing in 1969 when Clarke’s movie 2001: A Space Odyssey was released. Then calendar year 2001 came and went, and we have yet to get our flying cars, let alone space tourism or exploration of Jupiter and its moons.

That’s right: Jupiter. I mention it because in 1982 Clarke amazed us with a novel that brought us to the planet in the year 2010. But here we are in 2012: NASA is neutered, the Space Shuttle program is scuttled, and America’s astronauts more often rely on other countries to passenger them up to the International Space Station.

Needless to say, being a Clarkean enthusiast has been one disappointment after another; that is, until now.

Drawing on Clarke’s design

In The Fountains of Paradise , Clarke described how the elevator used cables that were stretched from a launch pad on the ground to 22,000 miles above the Earth’s surface, where it attached to a counterweight and anchored the cable in space.

Clarke described the counterweight as an orbital tower space station platform that had laboratories and living quarters in it. The station itself was outfitted with solar panels which could power the platform and transmit solar energy back to the Earth’s surface.

Today, there’s Obayashi’s design. Granted, this is all theoretical — a lot can change over the next few decades — but the company’s “Space Elevator” will use cables made of carbon nanotubes ( they’re about 20 times stronger than steel). A counterweight will be positioned 60,000 miles above the earth’s surface, roughly a quarter the distance been the Earth and moon. The elevator, capable of taking 30 people at a time to the station, will be propelled by magnetic linear motors and travel at about 125 mph (this means the trip would take about 7-8 days total).

The station to which the elevator is traveling will contain laboratories and living quarters. It will also be outfitted with solar generators to transmit power back down to the ground.

Does this all sound a bit familiar?

Outlook

While there’s no projected cost yet, Obayashi said that the success of this project depends largely upon global cooperation in producing carbon nanotubes strong enough to support this project.

Other organizations are also looking into the construction of a space elevator. This includes NASA, which has sponsored events like the “Space Elevator Games,” a contest to develop precursors to this longed-for transportation system.

So, while Obayashi moves ahead with their project, and NASA continues to look into alternative methods to developing this technology, I’ll be re-reading my favorite Clarke books, and keeping my fingers crossed for the realization of Clarkean law #2. ■

Reference for this article: space.com/14656-japanese-space-elevator-2050-proposal.html