Japanese construction giant Obayashi announces plans to have a space elevator up and running by 2050 - Polidicks

[QUOTE][IMG]http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/5756384-3x4-700x933.jpg[/IMG] Once the realm of science fiction, a Japanese company has announced they will have a space elevator up and running by the year 2050. If successful it would revolutionise space travel and potentially transform the global economy. The Japanese construction giant Obayashi says they will build a space elevator that will reach 96,000 kilometres into space. Robotic cars powered by magnetic linear motors will carry people and cargo to a newly-built space station, at a fraction of the cost of rockets. It will take seven days to get there.[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-21/japanese-construction-giants-promise-space-elevator-by-2050/5756206"]Source [/URL]

I hope I'm not the only one who thinks that 2050 sounds a little optimistic for a project of this scale.

[quote]It will take seven days to get there.[/quote] I hope they chose damn good elevator music

Carbon nanotubes, fuck yeah!

The cost is very cheap too: as opposed to the $22,000 or so per kilogram of cargo it would cost to have a shuttle take it into space, it will take only about $200 per kilogram with this.

As cool as this is, why?

[QUOTE=Baron von Hax;46048309]As cool as this is, why?[/QUOTE] [quote]A major international study in 2012 concluded the space elevator was feasible but best achieved with international co-operation and Mr Ishikawa from Obayashi agreed. "I don't think one company can make it, we'll need an international organisation to make this big project," he said. Experts said the space elevator could signal the end of Earth-based rockets which are hugely expensive and dangerous. Using a space shuttle costs about $22,000 per kilogram to take cargo into space. For the space elevator, the estimate is about $200. Constructing the space elevator would allow small rockets to be housed and launched from stations in space without the need for massive amounts of fuel required to break the Earth's gravitational pull. It is also hoped the space elevator could help in solving the world's power problems, by delivering huge amounts of cheap solar power or storing nuclear waste. It would also be a boon for space tourism. Obayashi is working on cars that will carry 30 people up the elevator, so it may not be too long before the Moon is the next must-see tourist destination.[/quote] I think this is incentive enough.

what happens when it falls and wreaks havoc around the planet as it wraps around

But micro meteorites will be a problem.

Not possible I think.

Fuck space elevators, we should build a [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_loop"]Lofstrom loop[/URL] (aka Launch loop). Lofstrom loop is literally a space bound rollercoaster.

[QUOTE=mdeceiver79;46048369]Not possible I think.[/QUOTE] If you did your homework (and perhaps read beyond the small portion of text in the OP) then you would see otherwise

The cost of the project would be enormous and not to mention the technology isn't there yet. I think a more realistic expectation is to meet them half way and build a mass driver.

[QUOTE=Cabbage;46048280]I hope they chose damn good elevator music[/QUOTE] "Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you're part of a team..."

That other guy brought up a good point, what if it falls? That could kill thousands, destroy chunks of the world, etc etc. Why do we even need a space elevator? There's nothing worthwhile in space as of right now. Until technology can reach the point where we can easily leave the solar system, there's no point.

[QUOTE=Cabbage;46048280]I hope they chose damn good elevator music[/QUOTE] Mass Effect 1 all over again.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ4Qp2xeRds[/media] From 7:00, there's some stuff about space elevators that's pretty dang relevant.

besides the points of meteorites, I worry more about general instability before it reaches the size where it'll counteracts its own weight, the ever increasing cloud of space junk flinging around the planet, and general terrorist fuckwittery. NK's bound to actually find something . Pretty massive target for any number of things to hit, we'd probably have to reinvent the iron dome three times over to protect such a thing consistently

Aparently its not really possible: [video=youtube;annVRxRjj4c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=annVRxRjj4c[/video] But hey, I'm no scientist but I am sceptical

[QUOTE=salty peanut v2;46048329]what happens when it falls and wreaks havoc around the planet as it wraps around[/QUOTE] iirc it's basically in a geostationary orbit, with just enough tension to keep the elevator shaft below it taught. [QUOTE=Zarconite;46048528]Aparently its not really possible: But hey, I'm no scientist but I am sceptical[/QUOTE] Nothing about it is in any way physically impossible, just difficult to engineer.

[QUOTE=SirLemon;46048498]That other guy brought up a good point, what if it falls? That could kill thousands, destroy chunks of the world, etc etc. Why do we even need a space elevator? There's nothing worthwhile in space as of right now. Until technology can reach the point where we can easily leave the solar system, there's no point.[/QUOTE] not having to launch a rocket everytime you want something into space? construct space stuff in space?

[QUOTE=Aphtonites;46048277]I hope I'm not the only one who thinks that 2050 sounds a little optimistic for a project of this scale.[/QUOTE] It's more realistic than some estimates. However, 7 days to get to space is a bit much, unless the payload is something huge.

[QUOTE=Milkdairy;46048390]If you did your homework (and perhaps read beyond the small portion of text in the OP) then you would see otherwise[/QUOTE] Gets hit by a shooting star and you're left with possibly the worlds most expensive disaster

may seem impossible now but who knows, with the current rate of technological advancements in 20 years we might be capable of this and even more

Not possible and the worst case scenario its going to get hit by a comet or whatever space rock. 7 days to go up and 7 days to go down also sounds ridiculous me time works in mysterious ways i guess.

[img]http://www.sfreviews.net/large_covers/fountains_of_paradise.jpg[/img] This is one of the first works of fiction talking about a space elevator. It discusses the feasibility of it really well, mostly from the perspective of the main char who's the engineer spearheading it (and it's a fuckin awesome book too). Everyone should check it out. I never imagined I'd see a space elevator in my lifetime but it totally needs to happen !!

[QUOTE=Zarconite;46048528]Aparently its not really possible: [video=youtube;annVRxRjj4c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=annVRxRjj4c[/video] But hey, I'm no scientist but I am sceptical[/QUOTE] No the video is stating it is impossible with current technology and material. Without the use of graphine or the like we can't make something that big, strong, or light.

7 days up and 7 days down without having to worry about the enormous cost and danger of a rocket launch as well as being able to go at pretty much any time is a hell of a lot better than having to wait for a day with perfect weather conditions [editline]22nd September 2014[/editline] today, a space launch is a long ordeal, with planning months in advance. with this, you could just say "lol lets go to space" and have your shit in space sooner and with shorter notice than with a rocket

That feel when being an old man by the time any of this happens, if it happens, and if I make it that far.

[QUOTE=Zonesylvania;46048300]The cost is very cheap too: as opposed to the $22,000 or so per kilogram of cargo it would cost to have a shuttle take it into space, it will take only about $200 per kilogram with this.[/QUOTE] It is really disappointing to see we still haven't found a replacement for rocket engines. If we still don't do it by 2050... damn.