The Space Elevator and Our Future Dr. Bryan Laubscher Odysseus Technologies, LLC Oct. 27 - 29, 2010 Dasan Conference, Green Transportation Systems Jeju.

The Space Elevator and Our Future Dr. Bryan Laubscher Odysseus Technologies, LLC Oct. 27 - 29, 2010 Dasan Conference, Green Transportation Systems Jeju Island, South Korea

Acknowledgements Brad Edwards Brad Edwards Anders Jorgensen Anders Jorgensen Steve Patamia Steve Patamia Mervyn Kellum Mervyn Kellum Carla Sabotta Carla Sabotta Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos National Laboratory Space Engineering and Science Institute Space Engineering and Science Institute NASA NASA

Support for Visionaries “The flying machine which will really fly might be evolved by the combined and continuous efforts of mathematicians and mechanicians in from one million to ten million years” “The flying machine which will really fly might be evolved by the combined and continuous efforts of mathematicians and mechanicians in from one million to ten million years” The New York Times The New York Times 9 October 1903 9 October 1903 (Source: DARPA) “We started assembly today” “We started assembly today” Orville Wright’s Diary Orville Wright’s Diary 9 October 1903 9 October 1903

Directory Slide Topics to be covered: Basic concepts Basic concepts Why the Space Elevator? Why the Space Elevator? Space Elevator History Space Elevator History Space Elevator Design Space Elevator Design Space Elevator Challenges Space Elevator Challenges World Transformation World Transformation Conferences and Events Conferences and Events Conclusion Conclusion

Space Elevator Basics

Space Elevator Physics R = 106,378 kilometers C = 2πR = 6.683 x E5 kilometers V = 2πR/T = 7.735 km/sec A M = V 2 R = 0.562 m/sec 2 A G = GM E /R 2 = 0.0352 m/sec 2

Space Elevator Restoring Force Simple Explanation In equilibrium, the centripetal acceleration is created by the tangential velocity and the “string”. Now perturb the counter-weight by applying a transverse force. When the perturbing force goes to zero. The tension in the string is no longer balanced and so a resultant restoring force drives the counterweight back to its original position.

Ascending the Elevator LEOGEO CW Earth Drop to LEO Throw to Moon, Mars, Venus,...

Space Elevator Major Components

3 Paradigm Shifts 1) Break the rocket paradigm: The Space Elevator does not carry its fuel, power is beamed to the climber from the earth. The Space Elevator does not carry its fuel, power is beamed to the climber from the earth. 2) The economy of scale of elevator operations resembles railroads more than expendable rocket launches High initial investment cost for infrastructure High initial investment cost for infrastructure Low unit cost when volume is great Low unit cost when volume is great 3) To get into orbit, the Space Elevator lifts payloads to very high altitudes and drops them

Chemical Rocket Technology Mature Mature ~ 15% improvement ~ 15% improvement Inefficient Inefficient Chemical rockets can barely achieve LEO Chemical rockets can barely achieve LEO Governed by the rocket equation Governed by the rocket equation Expensive Expensive ~$126M for one unit ~$126M for one unit Takes 136M rockets to drop cost to 1% of unit cost Takes 136M rockets to drop cost to 1% of unit cost Reusable Rockets Reusable Rockets Technology does not exist yet Technology does not exist yet

Launch Costs (From D. Raitt, ESA/ESTEC., Proc. IAC 2004, Vancouver, Canada) Launch SystemLaunch Cost ($/kg) Delta/Atlas to GEO80,000 Space Shuttle to LEO64,000 Ariane 5G23,285 Delta/Atlas to LEO10,000

Energy for Earth Escape Amount of energy really needed to escape Earth's gravity well: Amount of energy really needed to escape Earth's gravity well: ● U.S. Electric prices: ~$0.1 / kWh ● So this amount of energy can be purchased as electricity for approximately $2!! ● Delta rocket overhead is 4,000,000%!!! – Airlines fly at 3 x fuel cost. (J. T. Kare, Kare Consulting, 2003)

Rocket (In)Efficiency The rocket equation explains the efficiency of rocket propulsion: The rocket equation explains the efficiency of rocket propulsion: ● Large amounts of fuel are needed to accelerate fuel and payload to speed so that the accelerated fuel can be used to accelerate the payload (and remaining fuel) to even greater speed, etc. ● Fuel is lifted to high altitudes before it is burned ΔV = V p ln(M i /M f ) exp[ ΔV/ V p ] = M i /M f

Earth’s Gravity Well And other And other ΔVs Earth’s gravity well is so deep that we can barely escape it with chemical rockets. Once you are at LEO, you are “most of the way” to anywhere. Earth’s gravity well is so deep that we can barely escape it with chemical rockets. Once you are at LEO, you are “most of the way” to anywhere. Δv Earth to LEO = 7.9 (9.7) km/sec Δv LEO to MoonSurf = 5.5 km/sec Δv LEO to MarsVic = 3.8 km/sec

Saturn V Built in 1960’s for Apollo Program Built in 1960’s for Apollo Program Chemical Propulsion Chemical Propulsion 5% of mass to LEO 5% of mass to LEO 2.4% of mass to Trans Lunar Injection 2.4% of mass to Trans Lunar Injection 1 st stage, 94%mass ratio 1 st stage, 94%mass ratio 2 nd stage, 90%mass ratio 2 nd stage, 90%mass ratio 3 rd stage, 86%mass ratio 3 rd stage, 86%mass ratio Most powerful rocket even flown Most powerful rocket even flown No failures No failures

Mars Mass and Cost with Chemical Rockets Test mass from Earth’s surface to LEO Test mass from Earth’s surface to LEO M ratio = 20 M ratio = 20 Test mass from LEO to Mars Transfer Orbit Test mass from LEO to Mars Transfer Orbit M ratio = 2.39 M ratio = 2.39 Mass Expenditure to Mars Mass Expenditure to Mars Mass on Orbit = (1 kg + 2.39 kg) = 3.39 kg Mass on Orbit = (1 kg + 2.39 kg) = 3.39 kg Total cost for 1 kg to Mars Total cost for 1 kg to Mars Cost to LEO $10,000 / kg x 3.39 kg = $33,900 Cost to LEO $10,000 / kg x 3.39 kg = $33,900 Good to a factor of 2! Good to a factor of 2! Brought to you by the rocket equation and Earth’s gravity well and 40 years of experience with the cost of rockets! Brought to you by the rocket equation and Earth’s gravity well and 40 years of experience with the cost of rockets! NOTE: These calculations are for cargo that doesn’t respirate, drink or eat on the way to Mars. For humans the mass that must be lifted from Earth to go to Mars increases dramatically! NOTE: These calculations are for cargo that doesn’t respirate, drink or eat on the way to Mars. For humans the mass that must be lifted from Earth to go to Mars increases dramatically!

Nuclear Rockets Still subject to the rocket equation Still subject to the rocket equation V p the velocity of the propellant is about 2-3 times greater than for chemical rockets V p the velocity of the propellant is about 2-3 times greater than for chemical rockets V p for chemical rockets is ~3.8 km/sec and for nuclear rockets it is 7.6-11.2 km/sec V p for chemical rockets is ~3.8 km/sec and for nuclear rockets it is 7.6-11.2 km/sec This greater I sp implies less of a mass ratio to achieve the same Δv This greater I sp implies less of a mass ratio to achieve the same Δv A factor of 2 (3) in V p yields a mass ratio decrease of a factor of 7.4 (20.1) A factor of 2 (3) in V p yields a mass ratio decrease of a factor of 7.4 (20.1) Fusion propellant is expected to be 30 – 300 times chemical rockets’ V p Fusion propellant is expected to be 30 – 300 times chemical rockets’ V p

Space Elevator Early History Konstantin Tsiolkovsky 1895 Konstantin Tsiolkovsky 1895 Sir Arthur C. Clarke 1945 Sir Arthur C. Clarke 1945 John McCarthy early 1950s John McCarthy early 1950s Y. N. Artsutanov 1960 Y. N. Artsutanov 1960 Isaacs, Vine, Bradner, Bachus, 1966 Isaacs, Vine, Bradner, Bachus, 1966 Jerome Pearson, 1975 Jerome Pearson, 1975

1999 Space Elevator Concept Carbon nanotubes discovered in 1991 Carbon nanotubes discovered in 1991 1999 NASA Space Elevator Conference 1999 NASA Space Elevator Conference Reported in press that we would build an elevator in “300 years” Reported in press that we would build an elevator in “300 years” Piqued Brad Edwards’ interest Piqued Brad Edwards’ interest

Arthur C. Clarke’s Concept Capture an asteroid and place it into geosynchronous orbit Capture an asteroid and place it into geosynchronous orbit Build elevator down from asteroid using carbon Build elevator down from asteroid using carbon Center of mass remains at geosynchronous Center of mass remains at geosynchronous NASA is right, this may be 300 years away NASA is right, this may be 300 years away Astronomers don’t want anything massive and close to Earth Astronomers don’t want anything massive and close to Earth This got Brad Edwards thinking about other options This got Brad Edwards thinking about other options

Space Elevator Recent History 2000 Bradley C. Edwards 2000 Bradley C. Edwards 2002 The Space Elevator book: Edwards and Westling 2002 The Space Elevator book: Edwards and Westling 1 st (2002), 2 nd (2003) and 3 rd (2004) Annual International Space Elevator Conference 1 st (2002), 2 nd (2003) and 3 rd (2004) Annual International Space Elevator Conference Space Exploration 2005 and 2007 – SE Workshop Space Exploration 2005 and 2007 – SE Workshop 55 th, 56 th and 57 th International Astronautical Congresses 55 th, 56 th and 57 th International Astronautical Congresses 2008 & 2009 Space Elevator Conferences 2008 & 2009 Space Elevator Conferences

Carbon Nanotubes 1985 Smalley and Curl discover Buckyballs, C 60 1985 Smalley and Curl discover Buckyballs, C 60 1991 Iijima discovers Carbon Nanotubes 1991 Iijima discovers Carbon Nanotubes 1 to many nanometers wide 1 to many nanometers wide As of 2004, 4cm length As of 2004, 4cm length Up to 300 GPa depending on purity (high strength steel – 4GPa) Up to 300 GPa depending on purity (high strength steel – 4GPa) 130 GPa required for SE (with safety factor of two) 130 GPa required for SE (with safety factor of two)

Importance of Tensile Strength/Density (S. E. Patamia, LANL) HS Steel Kevlar Zylon CNT WTC: 10 9 kg Earth: 6x10 24 kg Sun: 2x10 30 kg Galaxy: 10 41 kg? Universe: 10 52 kg? “Feasible” M<10 8 kg (Designed tension half of tensile strength)

Initial Space Elevator Parameters 100,000 km long (36,000 km GEO orbit) 100,000 km long (36,000 km GEO orbit) 1 meter wide, curved cross section 1 meter wide, curved cross section Thinner than a sheet of paper Thinner than a sheet of paper 20 metric ton capacity 20 metric ton capacity 650 metric ton ribbon, 800 metric ton counterweight 650 metric ton ribbon, 800 metric ton counterweight 7 metric ton climber, 13 metric ton payload 7 metric ton climber, 13 metric ton payload Power beamed to climbers from lasers coupled to 10-meter telescopes on Earth Power beamed to climbers from lasers coupled to 10-meter telescopes on Earth 7 day trip to geosynchronous 7 day trip to geosynchronous Launch costs Launch costs 1 st Elevator - $3000 / kg 1 st Elevator - $3000 / kg 5 th Elevator - $300 / kg 5 th Elevator - $300 / kg

Deployment Scenario Pilot ribbon Pilot ribbon 22 – 40 metric tons weight ~15 cm wide 100,000 km long Assemble spacecraft in LEO Assemble spacecraft in LEO Boost to GEO above ground station Boost to GEO above ground station Deploy ribbon downward Deploy ribbon downward Thrust to keep rising spacecraft over ground station Thrust to keep rising spacecraft over ground station Build up final ribbon by sending up small climbers that attach new ribbon Build up final ribbon by sending up small climbers that attach new ribbon 1 st space elevator finished after two years of assembly 1 st space elevator finished after two years of assembly 2 nd space elevator built with the first elevator in 70 trips 2 nd space elevator built with the first elevator in 70 trips

Economics: Elevators and Launch Cost Bryan’s Estimates Shatters the paradigm of the rocket equation! Shatters the paradigm of the rocket equation! $1.5 B of research and development $1.5 B of research and development 1 st elevator costs $18 B 1 st elevator costs $18 B 2 nd elevator costs $6.9 B 2 nd elevator costs $6.9 B 3 rd elevator costs $4.2 B 3 rd elevator costs $4.2 B 4 th elevator costs $2.4 B 4 th elevator costs $2.4 B Economy of scale is operating in a space elevator infrastructure Economy of scale is operating in a space elevator infrastructure Ribbons Launch Cost ($/kg) 1x20T3000 2x20T 300 300 2x20&200T 150 150 2x20,200,500T 30 30 Space Shuttle 64,000

Delta IV Learning Curve Number of Rocketscost/rocket 1 $ 162,390,000 2 $ 113,673,000 5 $ 87,423,518 10 $ 73,339,857 20 $ 61,954,046 50 $ 49,796,668 100 $ 42,277,044 200 $ 35,914,318 500 $ 28,960,856 1,000 $ 24,613,839 2,000 $ 20,920,536 5,000 $ 16,875,413 10,000 $ 14,343,933 20,000 $ 12,192,272 50,000 $ 9,835,127 100,000 $ 8,359,848 200,000 $ 7,105,867 500,000 $ 5,732,101 1,000,000 $ 4,872,285 135,921,000 $ 1,540,107

Transcontinental Railroad Analogy Planning began in the 1850’s Planning began in the 1850’s Built from 1863-1869 in a “wilderness” Built from 1863-1869 in a “wilderness” The Union was fighting the Civil War when it began this project The Union was fighting the Civil War when it began this project Huge initial cost to build the line from Omaha, Nebraska to Sacramento, California Huge initial cost to build the line from Omaha, Nebraska to Sacramento, California Built the railroad line as well as infrastructure such as coaling stations and water sources for the steam locomotives Built the railroad line as well as infrastructure such as coaling stations and water sources for the steam locomotives

Transcontinental Railroad Analogy Created towns in the middle of nowhere Created towns in the middle of nowhere Unified the United States across the continent and opened the west Unified the United States across the continent and opened the west America’s greatest engineering feat of the 19 th century America’s greatest engineering feat of the 19 th century New York to San Francisco travel fell from 6 months to 7 days and $1000 to $70 New York to San Francisco travel fell from 6 months to 7 days and $1000 to $70 Owners became the some of the richest men in America Owners became the some of the richest men in America

Technology Development Carbon Nanotubes Carbon Nanotubes Woven ribbon Woven ribbon Composite ribbon Composite ribbon Lower cost Lower cost Manufacturability Manufacturability Climbers Climbers Compression or pressure on ribbon without damage Compression or pressure on ribbon without damage High reliability High reliability Operate in multiple environments Operate in multiple environments Reusable Reusable Power Beaming Power Beaming Each component has been demonstrated but an integrated system has not been operated Each component has been demonstrated but an integrated system has not been operated Human travel on space elevators above LEO requires shielding development Human travel on space elevators above LEO requires shielding development Deployment Spacecraft Deployment Spacecraft Must be launched to LEO in pieces and then assembled Deployment mechanism Power for thrusting and deployment At the current, conceptual level of our understanding of the space elevator systems, no “show stoppers” have been identified At the current, conceptual level of our understanding of the space elevator systems, no “show stoppers” have been identified The devil is in the details The devil is in the details

Hazards Magnetosphere Induced oscillations Radiation Atomic oxygen in Earth’s upper atmosphere Environmental Impact: Ionosphere Malfunctioning climbers Lightning, wind, clouds Meteors and space debris Satellites Health considerations

Climbers Spacecraft that traverse many different environments Spacecraft that traverse many different environments High reliability required, must run for ~100,000 km High reliability required, must run for ~100,000 km Many different missions: payload, ribbon diagnostics, ribbon laying and repair, science experiment, rescue Many different missions: payload, ribbon diagnostics, ribbon laying and repair, science experiment, rescue 200 km/hr speed above troposphere 200 km/hr speed above troposphere 7 tons mass with 13 ton payload capability 7 tons mass with 13 ton payload capability Mass producible and reusable Mass producible and reusable Photovoltaic array receives power Photovoltaic array receives power

Power Beaming High power diode array lasers generate infrared radiation (0.84 microns) High power diode array lasers generate infrared radiation (0.84 microns) ~12 meter telescope with adaptive optics ~12 meter telescope with adaptive optics Diagnostics on climbers to provide feedback to adaptive optics system Diagnostics on climbers to provide feedback to adaptive optics system Photovoltaic array on bottom of climber platform tuned to 0.84 microns Photovoltaic array on bottom of climber platform tuned to 0.84 microns 3 beaming systems providing 2.4 MW onto the climber 3 beaming systems providing 2.4 MW onto the climber Beaming stations on separate platforms Beaming stations on separate platforms Climber power requirements change depending upon altitude Climber power requirements change depending upon altitude

Spaceward Space Elevator Games – Climber Competition Forum in which the NASA Centennial Challenge: Climber Competition is conducted Forum in which the NASA Centennial Challenge: Climber Competition is conducted Begun in 2005 Begun in 2005 Performance requirements have driven the teams to high power lasers power beaming Performance requirements have driven the teams to high power lasers power beaming 2009 Laser Motive won the first level prize 2009 Laser Motive won the first level prize September 2010 September 2010

Spaceward Space Elevator Games – Tether Strength Competition Forum in which the NASA Centennial Challenge: Tether Strength Competition is conducted Forum in which the NASA Centennial Challenge: Tether Strength Competition is conducted Begun in 2005 Begun in 2005 Performance requirements have resulted in no serious competitors! Performance requirements have resulted in no serious competitors! 2010 Competition at the Space Elevator Conference 2010 Competition at the Space Elevator Conference

Economics: Mission / Spacecraft Costs Cost of space missions immediately drops by a factor of 2 because launch costs become a very small fraction of the hardware costs Cost of space missions immediately drops by a factor of 2 because launch costs become a very small fraction of the hardware costs Spacecraft can be built much more inexpensively because the launch environment is much more benign Spacecraft can be built much more inexpensively because the launch environment is much more benign 100,000 km length 100,000 km length Less onboard propulsion to destinations Less onboard propulsion to destinations Throw capability beyond Mars and Venus Throw capability beyond Mars and Venus Risk is lowered: Risk is lowered: Spacecraft can be tested after lift but before launch Spacecraft can be brought back down Spacecraft may be retrieved and/or serviced in some cases Rapid, inexpensive launches At the same time, riskier missions can be undertaken because unit costs are small. At the same time, riskier missions can be undertaken because unit costs are small. Space technology development will be accelerated Space technology development will be accelerated

Space Solar Power SSP is possibly the second major commercial use of space SSP is possibly the second major commercial use of space Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight to electricity, then this energy is converted to microwaves and beamed to Earth Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight to electricity, then this energy is converted to microwaves and beamed to Earth On Earth these receiver arrays convert microwave power to electrical energy On Earth these receiver arrays convert microwave power to electrical energy SSP promises clean energy for Earth SSP promises clean energy for Earth Remote parts of Earth can have power beamed to a local ground station allowing economic growth Remote parts of Earth can have power beamed to a local ground station allowing economic growth High latitudes are problematic High latitudes are problematic Constructing these huge structures at geosynchronous orbit will promote robotic technologies valuable to working in hostile environments Constructing these huge structures at geosynchronous orbit will promote robotic technologies valuable to working in hostile environments

SSP Business Model 1975 NASA Study – Rockets 2004 M. Kellum Study – Space Elevator 35 years to “breakeven”7 (11, 2008 update) years to “breakeven”

Green Transportation Space Elevator launched solar power arrays, photovoltaic or thermal Enable electrical power without “direct” emissions (systems level analysis of entire life cycle) Enable electrical power without “direct” emissions (systems level analysis of entire life cycle) Automobiles Automobiles Locomotives Locomotives Ships Ships Aircraft? Aircraft? Space Elevator access to space Space Elevator access to space Maglev trains in evacuated tunnels Maglev trains in evacuated tunnels

The New World Space is close to us all the time Space is close to us all the time Space is for everyone, not just the elite Space is for everyone, not just the elite Space is a place to visit Space is a place to visit Space is a place in which to work Space is a place in which to work Space is a place to make money Space is a place to make money Space is a place to experiment Space is a place to experiment Other heavenly bodies are accessible Other heavenly bodies are accessible Exploration and colonization are feasible Exploration and colonization are feasible Humans are safer from extinction by our conquest of space Humans are safer from extinction by our conquest of space Space has resources that will help solve problems on Earth Space has resources that will help solve problems on Earth

Historical Examples of Societies that turned their backs on Exploration and Colonization The Vikings in the case of Vinland, circa 1000 A.D. The Vikings in the case of Vinland, circa 1000 A.D. The Chinese in the case of recalling their treasure fleets, circa ~1400 A.D. The Chinese in the case of recalling their treasure fleets, circa ~1400 A.D. The United States in the case of the moon, circa 1973 The United States in the case of the moon, circa 1973

Future Conferences, Events and Contact Information EuroSpaceward Workshop, Dec. 2010, Luxembourg 2011 Space Elevator Conference, Summer, Redmond, WA – includes Strong Tether Competition – www.spaceelevatorconference.org 2011 Space Elevator Conference, Summer, Redmond, WA – includes NASA Centennial Challenge Strong Tether Competition – www.spaceelevatorconference.orgwww.spaceelevatorconference.org NASA Centennial Challenge Power Beaming Competition Spaceward Space Elevator Games, Spring 2011 Dr. Bryan E. Laubscher – skyhookbel@hotmail.com

SEI Mars Mission 1989 SEI Program - NASA Slightly modified Apollo era design mission, exploration and base operations for 34 years ~$270 Billion for lunar exploration ~$270 Billion over for Martian exploration 1000 ton Spacecraft to Mars Propulsion Cost Propulsion Cost 1000 ton spacecraft implies $34 billion one way travel to Mars 1000 ton spacecraft implies $34 billion one way travel to Mars At best $10 billion to get it to LEO - 62 miles of a 93 million mile trip At best $10 billion to get it to LEO - 62 miles of a 93 million mile trip

Human Consciousness Tower of Babel: Tower of Babel: And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." Jack and the Beanstalk Jack and the Beanstalk “Stairway to Heaven” “Stairway to Heaven”

Mars Exploration / Earth Elevator Earth Elevator Earth Elevator Affordable, reliable robotic and manned exploration missions Affordable, reliable robotic and manned exploration missions High capacity, low cost launches to Mars High capacity, low cost launches to Mars Possible to economically and reliably supply manned outposts and colonies Possible to economically and reliably supply manned outposts and colonies Earth elevator throws a Martian elevator to Mars orbit Earth elevator throws a Martian elevator to Mars orbit

Mars Exploration / Martian Elevator Martian Elevator Martian Elevator Less massive and shorter than Earth elevator Less massive and shorter than Earth elevator Deploys itself from orbit Deploys itself from orbit Save on aerobraking and landing hardware using Martian elevator Save on aerobraking and landing hardware using Martian elevator Many interception altitudes are possible with a space elevator rendezvous Many interception altitudes are possible with a space elevator rendezvous Enables recycling of hardware between Martian and Earth orbit Enables recycling of hardware between Martian and Earth orbit Enables capture of supplies from Earth and commerce from Mars to Earth Enables capture of supplies from Earth and commerce from Mars to Earth

Mars Exploration Recap Rocket Rocket 3.39 kg in Earth orbit to get 1 kg to Mars vicinity 3.39 kg in Earth orbit to get 1 kg to Mars vicinity That means $33,900 / kg of cargo to Mars (with aerobraking) That means $33,900 / kg of cargo to Mars (with aerobraking) Everything must survive violent launch environment Everything must survive violent launch environment Space Elevator Space Elevator $3000 / kg (economy of scale will decrease this) $3000 / kg (economy of scale will decrease this) Benign launch environment, except for radiation Benign launch environment, except for radiation Higher velocity trip to Mars possible Higher velocity trip to Mars possible Launch infrastructure that supports our ambitions in space Launch infrastructure that supports our ambitions in space

Space Elevator Enables Exploration of Space With the development of Space Elevators the critical technology may be extant to facilitate: Cost of space access falling dramatically Space being opened to use its resources to transform life on Earth Robotic exploration exploding through low cost launch lowering overall risk Manned exploration venturing beyond LEO, using Space Elevators to throw spacecraft to destinations and returning by nuclear rocket

Directory Slide Topics to be covered: Basic concepts Basic concepts Why the Space Elevator? Why the Space Elevator? Space Elevator History Space Elevator History Space Elevator Design Space Elevator Design Space Elevator Challenges Space Elevator Challenges World Transformation World Transformation Space Exploration Space Exploration Conferences and Events Conferences and Events Philosophy Philosophy Conclusion Conclusion

Space-Based Astronomy In January 2005, there were 53 NASA space research missions operating. With a space elevator launch infrastructure, we could have 100 or possibly even 200 missions with the same budget.

James Webb Space Telescope Space-based astronomy missions face the problem that we have a launch infrastructure that does not support our plans for space The cost of a 6.5 meter segmented mirror is much less than the 5+ billion dollar price tag! The cost of a 6.5 meter segmented mirror is much less than the 5+ billion dollar price tag! 2013 launch is a long time! 2013 launch is a long time! These costs and schedules are driven by the launch costs These costs and schedules are driven by the launch costs These costs and schedules are driven by the requirements of fitting the payload in the rocket fairing and unfolding this into position These costs and schedules are driven by the requirements of fitting the payload in the rocket fairing and unfolding this into position

Societal Decline Societies in the past have failed to explore, or turned their back on exploration even when the “new world” was reached Societies in the past have failed to explore, or turned their back on exploration even when the “new world” was reached These societies have faded from centuries past as societies that did explore rose to prominence These societies have faded from centuries past as societies that did explore rose to prominence The US pulled back from space exploration, certainly because of the cost, possibly because we had not developed the appropriate technology (space elevators and nuclear rockets) to sustain the effort The US pulled back from space exploration, certainly because of the cost, possibly because we had not developed the appropriate technology (space elevators and nuclear rockets) to sustain the effort

NERVA Rocket

Delta IV / Space Elevator “Capital Investment” # of RocketsRocket Total CostSpace Elevator Cost 1 $ 162 million + launch costs ? 5,000 $110 billion + launch costs $18B + $6.9B + $4.2B= $29.1B 1,000,000 $ 6.36 x E12 + launch costs $29.1 billion + launch costs 135,921,000 $ 273 x E12 + launch costs $29.1 billion + launch costs

Delta IV LC Summary # of RocketsCost/rocket Cumulative Total Cost 1 $ 162,390,000 5,000 $ 16,875,413$110,220,000,000 1,000,000 $ 4,872,285$ 6.36 x E12 135,921,000 $ 1,540,107$ 273 x E12

Magnetosphere

Sun & Earth – Closed System Zero Sum Game Zero Sum Game As humans ask more resources from the planet, we are approaching a limit As humans ask more resources from the planet, we are approaching a limit This reality transcends all opinions of what is happening now on Earth This reality transcends all opinions of what is happening now on Earth Opening space to use to solve problems on Earth is the only way to overcome the Zero Sum Game Opening space to use to solve problems on Earth is the only way to overcome the Zero Sum Game Chemical rocket technology is so inefficient and expensive that it will not be possible to open space economically Chemical rocket technology is so inefficient and expensive that it will not be possible to open space economically Space Elevator technology is a system that is efficient, capable of high capacity and subject to the economy of scale Space Elevator technology is a system that is efficient, capable of high capacity and subject to the economy of scale

When CNTs Enable the Space Elevator Our society will expect the Space Elevator to be built using these “wonderful CNTs” that now pervade their world. This implies that to foster Space Elevator development, we should develop CNTs.

The Space Elevator and Our Future Dr. Bryan Laubscher Odysseus Technologies, LLC Oct. 27 - 29, 2010 Dasan Conference, Green Transportation Systems Jeju.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "The Space Elevator and Our Future Dr. Bryan Laubscher Odysseus Technologies, LLC Oct. 27 - 29, 2010 Dasan Conference, Green Transportation Systems Jeju."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

The Space Elevator and Our Future Dr. Bryan Laubscher Odysseus Technologies, LLC Oct. 27 - 29, 2010 Dasan Conference, Green Transportation Systems Jeju.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "The Space Elevator and Our Future Dr. Bryan Laubscher Odysseus Technologies, LLC Oct. 27 - 29, 2010 Dasan Conference, Green Transportation Systems Jeju."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback