1. Laurent FALLET - ASI41 THe « Space Elevator » concept

2. Laurent FALLET - ASI4 2 Overview  Description of the system  Technology  Infrastructure  Risks  Conclusion

3. What is a « space elevator » ?  Physical connection from Earth to the geostationary Earth orbit  Objective  Transport people  Payloads  Power  Gases  …

4. A more precise look  Different parts  Geostationary transfer station  Base station  Electromagnetic vehicles  Counterweight  Spheres

5. Laurent FALLET - ASI4 5 Issues  Not feasible today  Highest structure : 630 meters high  Advantages  easy  cheap  Not really a new idea

6. Laurent FALLET - ASI4 6 Technology  Materials  gaphite epoxy composite  used in aerospace  not strong enough  carbon nanotubes  100 times stronger than steel  not producible yet  Tests on the ISS

7. Laurent FALLET - ASI4 7 Infrastructure  Total length : 144 000 km  Earth-moon : 385 000 km  Tower on earth  Propulsion  mechanical : 12 days of travel  electromagnetic : 10 hours

8. Electromagnetic vehicles  Electromagnetic rail  Energy saving

9. Funny idea  Launch arch  Tall towers  15 km high  Electromagnetic rail  Propel vehicles nearly out of the Earth atmosphere

10. Laurent FALLET - ASI4 10 Let’s summarize  24 hour orbit  Platform on Earth  Space elevator vehicles  Structure made of nanotubes

11. Adjustments  System of cables  An asteroid !

12. Laurent FALLET - ASI4 12 Risks  What about collisions?  asteroids  space debris  …  Maintenance on the elevator

13. Other projects  Lunar space elevator  Mars space elevator transportation system

14. Laurent FALLET - ASI4 14 Conclusion  A not so far future  20 years ?  Main objective: profits  A lot more to say about  safety, environment…  A great idea to dream about

15. Any question?