Adam Lacroix’s Comps Presentation
Wednesday, April 13th
3:10 pm in Olin 141
An Analysis of Space Elevator Physics
What is the best way to get to space? Humans have used rockets to bridge the gap from earth to beyond for over 50 years, but they are expensive and inefficient. A space elevator, a colossally tall cable stretching from the Earth’s surface to space could be used to send payloads into orbit for a fraction of the cost. Going beyond science fiction, this talk will address the very real physical principles involved in the construction and operation of such an elevator. From the nano-scale material science of carbon nanotubes to the mega-scale mechanics of orbital bodies, building a space elevator requires a unification of many different aspects of physics. Finally, the talk will address the myriad challenges and hazards that a space elevator face as well as the current state of development and research in the area.