Paul E Condon writes: > It is not hard to compute the tension in a space elevator ribbon. (It > would be a fair question for a final exam in an undergraduate mechanics > course.) It depends on position along the ribbon, on the Earth > parameters (size, rate of rotation, etc. )...
In particular there is no reason for there to be any significant tension is the cable at the base. With proper controls such a cable should just hang there if severed at or near ground level. A fail-safe design would make the connection to the bottom anchor the weakest point so that an over-tension event would not result in a cable fall. The real risk comes from an impact high up on the cable. > ...the mass-per-unit-length (kg/m) that is assumed for the ribbon. Which must be tapered, of course. > The last time I checked, there was not a material having a suitable > combintation of kg/m and tensile strength. Theoretically any material will work, but the dimensions get out of hand when using wet spaghetti. In practice carbon nanotubes are strong enough. -- John Hasler [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dancing Horse Hill Elmwood, Wisconsin -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]