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SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
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BACKGROUND Recently, a project has been proposed by NASA to build a "space elevator" which would extend to distances comparable to or even greater that than of present rocket launched payloads(i.e., satellites). Such an undertaking is now technically feasible because of the substantial improvements in carbon nanotube technology. The latest news release on such an effort was recently released to the popular media. Carbon nanotubes are extremely strong and very light. The success of such a project would open up the outerspace experience to the general public and, simultaneously, expand the enormous possibilities in new technologies as well as enhancements in existing manufacturing processes(i.e., the advantages gained from microgravity conditions). Essentially the "space elevator" would be literally tethered from the Earth's surface and into outer space by means of very long cables fabricated from carbon nanotubes. *PROJECT* A) For "restatement of the original problem", click "here"[For reference, the solution to this problem is included here!] B) Carbon nanotubes, compared with the steel cable(part A), are much stronger! Assume the tensile strength of the carbon nanotubes to be 100 times that of steel. Also, for an upper lmit estimate, assume that the force of gravity, between the Earth and the "space elevator/platform", to be nonexistent. Thus, estimate the thickness(diameter)of a cable for the "space elevator/platform" with a total weight of 20 x 103 lbs tethered 62,000 miles above the earth. Essentially, the cable(made of carbon nanotubes) must maintain a minimum tensile force which is equivalent to that which would have been provided by the presence of gravity(i.e., the Universal Law of Gravitation). C) If you were a project scientist/engineer and you were asked to improve your calculations for an important assessment decision of this proposed project, how would you proceed? Given that the proposed cables are wide thin stips(akin to) sheets of paper)), what would be the width of your flat cable? GRAVITY, PROJECTILE and SATELLITE MOTION |
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© • Kenneth M. Maloney, Ph.D. SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY • All rights reserved |
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Your completed report is due