Building An Elevator From Earth To Space May Finally Happen, Thanks To This New Wonder Material
Each time it takes billions of dollars to send anything to space. Experts have been trying for years to bring this space travel cost down. One possible solution which is not more than a theory as of now is to create a space elevator. The structure is intended to act as a getaway for a lorry to the geostationary satellites.
Each time, it takes billions of dollars to send anything to space. While this might makes sense for sending multiple satellites at once, regular refuelling or exchange of goods between Earth and geostationary satellites, say the International Space Station, end up being more of a necessary operation than a viable option. Then there's the constant threat of expensive accidents.
Experts have been trying for years to bring this space travel cost down. In this pursuit, Elon Musk went on to open up his own space firm SpaceX, as the prevailing cost of a rocket hindered his ultimate goal of colonizing Mars.
One possible solution, which is not more than a theory as of now, is to create a space elevator. The structure is intended to act as a getaway for a lorry to the geostationary satellites for any and every purpose. Once established, it is easy to assume that the cost of escaping Earth¡¯s gravity will be cut down by a considerate margin.
Reuters
While this has been nothing more than an idea till now, a recent research might just be the required kickstart. Researchers from Beijing¡¯s Tsinghua University claim to have developed a carbon nanotube fiber that is so sturdy as well as lightweight, enough to act as the elevator cable.
The research paper was published back in May this year but has started gaining the spotlight only recently. As per some experts, the material can indeed prove to be ¡®the missing piece¡¯ of the entire concept. The team¡¯s colleague Wang Changqing, who studies space elevators at Northwestern Polytechnical University exclaims ¡°This is a breakthrough¡± as per an interaction with South China Morning Post.
Reuters
This, however, is not the final solution as many revolving challenges like enough quantity of the material and its protection up in space still prevail. Yet, if the researched material is universally accepted by space agencies, this might just be the building block of a whole new way of space travel.
