OT: About Space Elevators

[TerranC]

Originally posted by Puke:
A small battlegroup of cruisers and a AWACS or three, should be fairly capable of keeping air traffic away from it.

I don't think an military presence is necessary. And I think it will create a diplomatic incident if there is a military presence into something grand such as that.

[Puke]

why? its a significant economic interest, the corporation that owns it will be bringing in loads of money for their parent country. not only that, but it is a significant boon to space bourne interests. anyone that wants to use it to put payloads up, will have an interest in defending the thing.

I would sure think it prudent to be able to shoot down any unauthorized craft that strays within 50 miles of it.

im just waiting for the strong-man competitions where individuals try climbing the things into orbit.

[Phoenix-D]

"I don't think an military presence is necessary. And I think it will create a diplomatic incident if there is a military presence into something grand such as that."

Oh no, it's only the largest and most valuble target on the face of the planet. Why defend it?

Phoenix-D

[Taz-in-Space]

What I want to know is how they are going to ground the darn thing. Electricly. Isn't there an electrical charge difference between earth's surface and high altitude? Sounds to me like this would be the Mother of all Lightning Rods!

Who needs terrorists when NATURE itself will take care of the problem.

[Phoenix-D]

Just being that tall would make it the mother of all lightning rods, to say nothing of all the interesting effects it might have on global weather (and vice versa).

However, planes can take direct hits from lightning and keep going; if the car is on the outside, or cleared before a storm, I don't think a hit would do THAT much.

Phoenix-D

[dogscoff]

I can imagine a little (huge) oceanic platform where cargo liners (and maybe cruise ships) come to load and unload cargo,

Heh, that's a good point. HOw to get stuff to/ from the floating platform? Boats, sure, but boats are slow. It would be quite ironic if something this high tech revitalised some older technologies like flying boats & airships.

[Dragon of the void]

Good point about the lightning, Taz.

MAybe they yould even use this power that comes down the cable, it just has to be strong enough. Thus you would not need to "ground" it, you channel the current into your battery.