Space Elevator
 

http://www.space.com/businesstechnol..._020327-1.html

How cool would it be if they developed something like this in the near future? The resulting boom in space travel and tourism would be a huge kick to the economy, a huge renewal in interest in space would occur, and shortly after, there would probably be men (and women ;)) on Mars. Also, one must look at the current fleet of space shuttles. One has already been destroyed (Challenger) in a tragic accident more than a decade ago. Now, the other four are showing the signs of over 20 years of flying back and forth from space. Soon, we'll need one of two things to continue space exploration. A new fleet of shuttles, or a space elevator. A space elevator is so much more efficent, and once the initial costs are paid, much cheaper. The technology is here, we just need to build it.

I read the artical and the idea of a space elevater seems very strange. I think this may be a waste to do for now. Much of space travle I have heard of seems like a bad idea right now. I think that all the money, time, and effort spent in things like this should stop untill all the problems on Earthare helped. I think that there is much more that could be done on Earth right now compared to what we could be doing travling in space. Anything being done with space right now that directly helps problems on Earth right now I do not have a problem with. It is just that I think that all that money, time, and effort could be put to better use for now. The idea of a space elevator is a great idea, but I will only support it actually being done if it will help problems on Earth right after it is built. I am sure this could help problems on Earth but could it help the problems we currently are having.
That's all I have to say about this right now. Feel free to try to change my mind, I am always open to new thoughts if I feel they go with my thinking.

The idea of a space elevator is prominently featured in the Red Mars science fiction book series (sorry author escapes me now). You might want to read it. The series deals with the colonization of Mars and has a lot of interesting ideas. Prophetic? maybe.

Rob-

One thing a space elevator could do is allow us to reach the moon quickly and easily. on the moon there is a huge supply of He3 (i think that's what it is) which is used for fusion. that would provde a cheap, clean power source for many years to come. also, the problem of over crowding could be eliminated. if mars was to be colonized, a large portion of earth's population could be moved, and this would help greatly. i do agree with your concern, but this is something that may not have benifits the second it's built , but i think as time goes on it will become more and more important.

It kinda reminds me of the elevator from willy wonka and the chocolate factory. if you'r into futuristic stuff, check out www.turbohawk.com

He3 isn't used for fusion (at least not to start it usually) H(2) and H(3) are used.

AAAAAAHHHHHHHH, chemistry!! :rolleyes: Chem is cool.

CH3
|
N
/ \
N----C C==O
|| || |
|| || |
CH C N--CH3
\ / \ /
N C
| ||
CH3 O

Guess what that is? (C8 H10 N4 O2)

I saw an article about the elevator in the July 02 issue of popular mechanics. it said that mag lev cars would cruise at 1200 mph going to the space station. it would be interesting to see!

Matt I don't know what that is, but I don't think it has to do with He(3) and fusion.

You're right, but we fellow robotic people use A LOT of it during the build season...

Reasons like this are why I dropped Chemistry.Things that go fast are still cool though.

I'd hate to tell you but we can't use fusion yet:). Its still at a negative energy output. Unless I've haven't heard some big news or is that fission I'm thinking of?

well, for fusion, you need certain small molecules (like He(3)), otherwise it's negative energy. so, with lots of small molecules, you have positive output. otherwise, we'd all be in the dark now, cause the sun would be dead.

first of all the sun is losing energy sooner or later it will go out:)(hopefully really really really later) plus the only articles ive been reading about fusion are really still about cold fusion(ability to start a fusion reaction at lower temperature) and the positive output. In reality fusion is the perfect way to make reactors its safe and effective

C8 H10 N4 O2
 

Isnt "C8 H10 N4 O2" caffiene? Everyones favorite addictive substance :D

hmm, that reminds me of the time dan made a caffine molecule in bio...

to bad we didn't get a picture. i'm sure we could recreate it next year though :p

Dan may have found how to make it from where I did...
Anyway, here is my attempt to make a caffine molecue:

O CH3
|| /
H2C--N-/ \_N
| | \
// \ N/ \N/
O |
CH3

(C3 H8 N4 O2)

Seems alittle different from Matt put up.

If you want to see a better version of a caffine molecue go to here. So many interesting things at that site for geeks. I want the buttons that are there. :D

if you guys are going to try to make a caffine molecule here, use the CODE brackets, cause it preserves spacing.

At Kroger, there is some brand of salt, and on the package it says "Real Salt - 30% less Sodium"

How does that figure?

well, the space shuttles were safe, when they were first built 20 years ago. they're starting to find that the space shuttles are reaching the end of useful lives. sure, they maybe able to extend the useful lives of the space shuttles, but the bottom line is, nothing lasts forever. a space elevator could be started now, to replace the space shuttles in say, 5, 10 years. i think that would be reasonable time period, and in the end, a huge money saver.

Each shuttle was designed with a hundred mission service life. They have flown slightly over 100 all together, a fraction of their potential.

The shuttle fleet will be flying for some time to come, they've got plenty left in them.

-Andy A.

hmm, i thought that they had less time, and it seems that they have been plauged many problems lately. maybe it's just a phase (sorta like the terrible twos ;)), but we'll still need something to replace them eventually. even if the shuttles do last for another 20 years, the cost to put 1 pound into space is rahter high, is it not? with a space elevator, all the fuel would not be needed, and the entire proccess would be much cheaper, or at least according to everything i've read.

Old Vehicles
 

Look a the B-52's which were put into service 50 years ago and most of which are older than the pilots that fly them. According to what i heard they plan to use them for another 50. So I wouldn't count the age of anything especially something so expensive and time consuming to replace so lightly, especially the way those shuttles are maintained and rebuilt after every flight.

You are refering to a LIM device or Linear induction motor. This is the device use to power Maglev Trains, or roller coasters such as superman, or Wicked twister. It works by turning on a super-conducting electromagnet in front of a vehicle, attracting it, and a identicle magnet behind it repel the vehicle. As it moves down the track the magnets turn on and off in front of a behind the vehicle to accelerate it to very high speeds. Superconductor electromagnets use a relatively low amount of energy. I know with Maglev trains, a full train can float above the track using less electricity than it takes to run the air conditioning.

Rail guns use this technology to accelerate projectiles to supersonic speeds and allows them to go through nearly anything. The perfect weapon.:D

you'd need like an aircraft carrier to bring the railgun around though. those magnets aren't small ;).

they do have some really cool superconductors that work with just liquid nitrogen in open air. those are pretty cool.

Good idea, needs some work. Needs Dean

psah! Rail gun physics don't work. Yes, we've all seen Eraser and we've all played Quake, but you just can't make a rail gun an effective hand-held weapon.

This site explains all the physics behind it: http://intuitor.com/moviephysics/eraser.html

This quote explains just the recoil of a railgun:
A recoil with the force of 7500 m/s, eh? Thats a nice kick to it, and that number is when the bullet travels at only half the speed of light.

Anyways, check that site out. It's a bunch of physics nerds analyzing the physics behind popular movies and shows how Hollywood repeatidly bends the laws of the universe =)