Here's a crazy idea that was in the WSJ this week...

For many years people have dreamed about installing a rope or a line of some sort from earth into outer space. Why mess around with rockets and such if you could just climb a rope 23,000 miles or so? All you need is a really strong rope, attached to the earth and a heavy mass out in space. The rotation of the earth will keep the rope tight. Simple!

Well, there are a few minor problems. One is that a 23,000 mile long rope has great difficulty supporting its own weight. The strength to density ratio required for this is HUGE. No material that we know of is up to the task...until now. Enter Carbon Nanotubes. These little suckers are so strong and lightweight that people are considering the feasibility of stringing them together to create a line into space with a climbing elevator powered by laser light from earth.

Here are some links:

Info from NASA

How Stuff Works

More info

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Bill Wood - Retired Webmaster
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Nano nano ....Ork Ork!

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NOVA had a special about this on PBS and it worked on T.V....

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NEW! >>> Space Elevator!

As seen on TV!

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Bill Wood - Retired Webmaster
My Personal Website
1998 Mercedes E430
2010 Toyota Sequoia
My Photo Albums

Have a client that bought some penny stock - main claim to "fame" is a carbon nanotube mine.


So like where does that elevator stop???? The penthouse?

Sounds like a job for the Mythbusters.

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Party pooper time.

I want no part of a space elevator. No matter how lightweight those nanotubes are, 23,000 miles of anything strong enough to hoist cargo and/or people aloft is going to have some serious weight and when the inevitable breakage occurs, some unknown number of people minding their own business on earth are likely to be decapitated.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

It's been a popular topic in science fiction for some time. Lot's of stories about bombs in this car or that car that are set to go off halfway up.

As for real life, I think it's a cool idea and the spinoff tech could be quite impressive (no, no pun intended).

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-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

haha I didn't think of that would that cable break or would it whip around the world?

So should I be buying the penny stocks of the places that mine these? $20 could turn into one heck of an investment if it works out...

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2006 CL500
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Look at the potential for other applications. I bet we will see the tech on the next America's Cup boats if not sooner.

Depends on where it broke. Go swing a yo-yo around your head. Good visual substitute.

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-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

Yep, look out for 1mm mainsheets!

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2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

This is nothing new.

I already saw the movie!

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.