space elevator
宇宙エレベーター 宇宙エレベータ 軌道エレベーター 軌道エレベータ
A space elevator is a proposed type of space transportation system. Like its name implies, is basically an elevator designed to ascend all the way through the atmosphere and into space.
Its main component is a ribbon-like cable (also called a tether) anchored to the surface and extending into space. It is designed to permit vehicle transport along the cable from a planetary surface, such as the Earth's, directly into space or orbit, without the use of large rockets.
The key concept behind the space elevator was first introduced in 1895 by Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky who was inspired by the construction of the Eiffel Tower from Paris, France.
The system is also referred as the orbital elevator, Jacob's Ladder and Beanstalk in several old science fiction stories. The related concepts are the space fountain, orbital ring, skyhook, space necklace and rotovator. (In "some nasa.gov pages" (http://settlement.arc.nasa.gov/Nowicki/SPBI126.HTM (Dead link)), the term "orbital elevator" is used for Zubrin's Hypersonic Skyhook.)
--- Actually, I too am comfortable with the the term "orbital elevator", but in this book I decided to use the term "space elevator". For one, the term "space elevator" is becoming more common. Words change with the times. Feelings are important, but I gave preference to clarity.
Another is a more active reason. I was concerned that the term "orbital elevator" may not convey the potential this system has. With the term "orbital elevator", don't you imagine an elevator for going into geocentric orbit? Of course the space elevator can go into geocentric orbit, but this is a system that has the potential of becoming a gateway for humans to leave Earth, leave the Solar System and actually launch out into the vast galaxy. For those who already know this, I think either term will serve. But for those who will learn about this system for the first time and if they are not drawn to this great potential because of the name, I thought it would be very unfortunate for both the space elevator and for those learning of the space elevator for the first time.---(A quote from ”The Physics of the Space Elevator”, a 2011 introduction-to-physics book written in by Satou Minoru, an associate professor of Tokai University.)
Some anime that feature space elevators
- Uchuu Kuubo Blue Noah (First Appearance)
- Choujikuu Seiki Orguss
- Dirty Pair
- Bubblegum Crisis 2040
- Legend of the Galactic Heroes
- Eureka Seven
- Gundam 00
- Gundam G No Reconguista
See also
The following tags are aliased to this tag: orbital_elevator (learn more).