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 The Space Elevator and Our FutureOur Future

Dr. Bryan LaubscherDr. Bryan Laubscher

Odysseus Technologies, LLCOdysseus Technologies, LLC

Oct. 27 - 29, 2010Oct. 27 - 29, 2010

Dasan Conference, Dasan Conference,

Green Transportation SystemsGreen Transportation Systems

Jeju Island, South KoreaJeju Island, South Korea

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Brad EdwardsBrad Edwards Anders JorgensenAnders Jorgensen Steve PatamiaSteve Patamia Mervyn KellumMervyn Kellum Carla SabottaCarla Sabotta Los Alamos National Los Alamos National

LaboratoryLaboratory Space Engineering and Space Engineering and

Science InstituteScience Institute NASANASA

Support for VisionariesSupport for Visionaries

““The flying machine which The flying machine which will really fly might be will really fly might be evolved by the combined evolved by the combined and continuous efforts of and continuous efforts of mathematicians and mathematicians and mechanicians in from one mechanicians in from one million to ten million years”million to ten million years”The New York Times The New York Times

9 October 19039 October 1903

(Source: DARPA)(Source: DARPA)

““We started assembly We started assembly today”today” Orville Wright’s Diary Orville Wright’s Diary

9 October 19039 October 1903

Directory SlideDirectory Slide

Topics to be covered:Topics to be covered: Basic conceptsBasic concepts Why the Space Elevator?Why the Space Elevator? Space Elevator HistorySpace Elevator History Space Elevator DesignSpace Elevator Design Space Elevator ChallengesSpace Elevator Challenges World TransformationWorld Transformation Conferences and EventsConferences and Events ConclusionConclusion

Space Elevator BasicsSpace Elevator Basics

Space Elevator PhysicsSpace Elevator Physics

R = 106,378 kilometers

C = 2πR = 6.683 x E5 kilometers

V = 2πR/T = 7.735 km/sec

Space Elevator Restoring ForceSpace 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 ElevatorAscending the Elevator

LEO GEO CW

Earth

Drop to LEO Throw to Moon, Mars, Venus, ...

Space Elevator Major Space Elevator Major ComponentsComponents



3 Paradigm Shifts3 Paradigm Shifts

1) Break the rocket paradigm:1) Break the rocket paradigm:• The Space Elevator does not carry its fuel, power is The Space Elevator does not carry its fuel, power is

beamed to the climber from the earth.beamed to the climber from the earth.

2) The economy of scale of elevator operations 2) The economy of scale of elevator operations resembles railroads more than expendable resembles railroads more than expendable rocket launchesrocket launches• High initial investment cost for infrastructureHigh initial investment cost for infrastructure• Low unit cost when volume is greatLow unit cost when volume is great

3) To get into orbit, the Space Elevator lifts 3) To get into orbit, the Space Elevator lifts payloads to very high altitudes and drops thempayloads to very high altitudes and drops them

Chemical Rocket TechnologyChemical Rocket Technology Mature Mature

~ 15% improvement~ 15% improvement InefficientInefficient

Chemical rockets can Chemical rockets can barely achieve LEObarely achieve LEO

Governed by the rocket Governed by the rocket equationequation

ExpensiveExpensive ~$126M for one unit~$126M for one unit Takes 136M rockets to Takes 136M rockets to

drop cost to 1% of unit drop cost to 1% of unit costcost

Reusable RocketsReusable Rockets Technology does not Technology does not

exist yetexist yet

Launch CostsLaunch Costs

(From D. Raitt, ESA/ESTEC., Proc. IAC 2004, Vancouver, Canada)

Launch System Launch Cost ($/kg)

Delta/Atlas to GEO 80,000

Space Shuttle to LEO 64,000

Ariane 5G 23,285

Delta/Atlas to LEO 10,000

Energy for Earth EscapeEnergy for Earth Escape Amount of energy really needed to escape Earth's Amount of energy really needed to escape Earth's

gravity well: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)EfficiencyRocket (In)EfficiencyThe rocket equation explains the efficiency of The rocket equation explains the efficiency of

rocket propulsion: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 = Vp ln(Mi/Mf)

exp[ ΔV/ Vp ] = Mi/Mf

Earth’s Gravity WellEarth’s Gravity WellAnd other And other ΔVs

Earth’s gravity well is so deep that we can barely Earth’s gravity well is so deep that we can barely escape it with chemical rockets. Once you are at escape it with chemical rockets. Once you are at LEO, you are “most of the way” to anywhere.LEO, you are “most of the way” to anywhere.

ΔvEarth to LEO = 7.9 (9.7) km/sec

ΔvLEO to MoonSurf = 5.5 km/sec

ΔvLEO to MarsVic = 3.8 km/sec

Saturn VSaturn V Built in 1960’s for Apollo Built in 1960’s for Apollo

ProgramProgram Chemical PropulsionChemical Propulsion 5% of mass to LEO5% of mass to LEO 2.4% of mass to Trans 2.4% of mass to Trans

Lunar InjectionLunar Injection 11stst stage, 94%mass ratio stage, 94%mass ratio 22ndnd stage, 90%mass ratio stage, 90%mass ratio 33rdrd stage, 86%mass ratio stage, 86%mass ratio Most powerful rocket Most powerful rocket

even flowneven flown No failuresNo failures

Mars Mass and Cost with Mars Mass and Cost with Chemical RocketsChemical Rockets

Test mass from Earth’s surface to LEOTest mass from Earth’s surface to LEO MMratioratio = 20 = 20

Test mass from LEO to Mars Transfer OrbitTest mass from LEO to Mars Transfer Orbit MMratioratio = 2.39 = 2.39

Mass Expenditure to MarsMass Expenditure to Mars Mass on Orbit = (1 kg + 2.39 kg) = 3.39 kgMass on Orbit = (1 kg + 2.39 kg) = 3.39 kg

Total cost for 1 kg to MarsTotal cost for 1 kg to Mars Cost to LEO $10,000 / kg x 3.39 kg = Cost to LEO $10,000 / kg x 3.39 kg = $33,900$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 Brought to you by the rocket equation and Earth’s gravity well

and 40 years of experience with the cost of rockets!and 40 years of experience with the cost of rockets! NOTE: These calculations are for cargo that doesn’t respirate, drink 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 or eat on the way to Mars. For humans the mass that must be lifted from Earth to go to Mars increases dramatically!from Earth to go to Mars increases dramatically!

Nuclear RocketsNuclear Rockets Still subject to the rocket Still subject to the rocket

equationequation VVpp the velocity of the the velocity of the

propellant is about 2-3 times propellant is about 2-3 times greater than for chemical greater than for chemical rocketsrockets

VVp p for chemical rockets is for chemical rockets is ~3.8 km/sec and for nuclear ~3.8 km/sec and for nuclear rockets it is 7.6-11.2 km/secrockets it is 7.6-11.2 km/sec

This greater IThis greater Ispsp implies less implies less of a mass ratio to achieve of a mass ratio to achieve

the same the same ΔvΔv A factor of 2 (3) in VA factor of 2 (3) in Vpp yields yields

a mass ratio decrease of a a mass ratio decrease of a factor of 7.4 (20.1)factor of 7.4 (20.1)

Fusion propellant is Fusion propellant is expected to be 30 – 300 expected to be 30 – 300 times chemical rockets’ Vtimes chemical rockets’ Vpp



Space Elevator Early HistorySpace Elevator Early History Konstantin Tsiolkovsky Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

18951895 Sir Arthur C. Clarke Sir Arthur C. Clarke

19451945 John McCarthy John McCarthy

early 1950searly 1950s Y. N. Artsutanov 1960Y. N. Artsutanov 1960 Isaacs, Vine, Bradner, Isaacs, Vine, Bradner,

Bachus, 1966Bachus, 1966 Jerome Pearson, 1975Jerome Pearson, 1975

1999 Space Elevator Concept1999 Space Elevator Concept

Carbon nanotubes Carbon nanotubes discovered in 1991discovered in 1991

1999 NASA Space 1999 NASA Space Elevator ConferenceElevator Conference

Reported in press Reported in press that we would build that we would build an elevator in “300 an elevator in “300 years”years”

Piqued Brad Piqued Brad Edwards’ interestEdwards’ interest

Arthur C. Clarke’s ConceptArthur C. Clarke’s Concept

Capture an asteroid and place Capture an asteroid and place it into geosynchronous orbitit into geosynchronous orbit

Build elevator down from Build elevator down from asteroid using carbonasteroid using carbon

Center of mass remains at Center of mass remains at geosynchronousgeosynchronous

NASA is right, this may be NASA is right, this may be 300 years away300 years away

Astronomers don’t want Astronomers don’t want anything massive and close to anything massive and close to EarthEarth

This got Brad Edwards This got Brad Edwards thinking about other optionsthinking about other options

Space Elevator Recent HistorySpace Elevator Recent History 2000 Bradley C. Edwards2000 Bradley C. Edwards

2002 2002 The Space Elevator The Space Elevator book: Edwards and Westlingbook: Edwards and Westling

11stst (2002), 2 (2002), 2ndnd (2003) and 3 (2003) and 3rdrd (2004) Annual International (2004) Annual International Space Elevator ConferenceSpace Elevator Conference

Space Exploration 2005 and Space Exploration 2005 and 2007 – SE Workshop2007 – SE Workshop

5555thth, 56, 56thth and 57 and 57thth International International Astronautical CongressesAstronautical Congresses

2008 & 2009 Space Elevator 2008 & 2009 Space Elevator ConferencesConferences



Carbon NanotubesCarbon Nanotubes 1985 Smalley and Curl discover 1985 Smalley and Curl discover

Buckyballs, CBuckyballs, C6060

1991 Iijima discovers Carbon 1991 Iijima discovers Carbon NanotubesNanotubes

1 to many nanometers wide1 to many nanometers wide As of 2004, 4cm lengthAs of 2004, 4cm length Up to 300 GPa depending on Up to 300 GPa depending on

purity (high strength steel – purity (high strength steel – 4GPa)4GPa)

130 GPa required for SE (with 130 GPa required for SE (with safety factor of two)safety factor of two)

Importance of Tensile Importance of Tensile Strength/DensityStrength/Density

(S. E. Patamia, LANL)

HS

Ste

el

Kev

lar

Zyl

on CNT

WTC: 109 kg

Earth: 6x1024 kg

Sun: 2x1030 kg

Galaxy: 1041 kg?

Universe:1052 kg?

“Feasible”M<108 kg

(Designed tension half of tensile strength)

Initial Space Elevator ParametersInitial Space Elevator Parameters 100,000 km long (36,000 km 100,000 km long (36,000 km

GEO orbit)GEO orbit) 1 meter wide, curved cross 1 meter wide, curved cross

sectionsection Thinner than a sheet of paperThinner than a sheet of paper 20 metric ton capacity20 metric ton capacity 650 metric ton ribbon, 800 650 metric ton ribbon, 800

metric ton counterweightmetric ton counterweight 7 metric ton climber, 13 metric 7 metric ton climber, 13 metric

ton payloadton payload Power beamed to climbers from Power beamed to climbers from

lasers coupled to 10-meter lasers coupled to 10-meter telescopes on Earthtelescopes on Earth

7 day trip to geosynchronous7 day trip to geosynchronous Launch costsLaunch costs

11stst Elevator - Elevator - $3000 / kg$3000 / kg 55thth Elevator - Elevator - $300 / kg$300 / kg

Deployment ScenarioDeployment Scenario Pilot ribbonPilot ribbon

22 – 40 metric tons weight22 – 40 metric tons weight ~15 cm wide~15 cm wide 100,000 km long100,000 km long

Assemble spacecraft in Assemble spacecraft in LEOLEO

Boost to GEO above Boost to GEO above ground stationground station

Deploy ribbon downwardDeploy ribbon downward Thrust to keep rising Thrust to keep rising

spacecraft over ground spacecraft over ground stationstation

Build up final ribbon by Build up final ribbon by sending up small climbers sending up small climbers that attach new ribbonthat attach new ribbon

11stst space elevator finished space elevator finished after two years of assemblyafter two years of assembly

22ndnd space elevator built with space elevator built with the first elevator in 70 tripsthe first elevator in 70 trips

Economics: Elevators and Launch CostEconomics: Elevators and Launch CostBryan’s EstimatesBryan’s Estimates

Shatters the paradigm of Shatters the paradigm of the rocket equation!the rocket equation!

$1.5 B$1.5 B of research and of research and developmentdevelopment

11stst elevator costs elevator costs $18$18 BB 22ndnd elevator costs elevator costs $6.9 B$6.9 B 33rdrd elevator costs elevator costs $4.2 B$4.2 B 44thth elevator costs elevator costs $2.4 B$2.4 B Economy of scale is Economy of scale is

operating in a space operating in a space elevator infrastructureelevator infrastructure

RibbonsRibbons Launch Launch Cost ($/kg)Cost ($/kg)

1x20T1x20T 30003000

2x20T2x20T 300300

2x20&200T2x20&200T 150150

2x20,200,2x20,200,

500T500T

3030

Space Space ShuttleShuttle

64,00064,000

Delta IV Learning CurveDelta IV Learning CurveNumber of Rockets cost/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 AnalogyTranscontinental Railroad Analogy

Planning began in the Planning began in the 1850’s1850’s

Built from 1863-1869 in a Built from 1863-1869 in a “wilderness”“wilderness”

The Union was fighting The Union was fighting the Civil War when it the Civil War when it began this projectbegan this project

Huge initial cost to build Huge initial cost to build the line from Omaha, the line from Omaha, Nebraska to Sacramento, Nebraska to Sacramento, California California

Built the railroad line as Built the railroad line as well as infrastructure well as infrastructure such as coaling stations such as coaling stations and water sources for the and water sources for the steam locomotivessteam locomotives

Transcontinental Railroad AnalogyTranscontinental Railroad Analogy

Created towns in the Created towns in the middle of nowheremiddle of nowhere

Unified the United States Unified the United States across the continent and across the continent and opened the west opened the west

America’s greatest America’s greatest engineering feat of the engineering feat of the 1919thth century century

New York to San New York to San Francisco travel fell from Francisco travel fell from 6 months to 7 days and 6 months to 7 days and $1000 to $70$1000 to $70

Owners became the Owners became the some of the richest men some of the richest men in Americain America



Technology DevelopmentTechnology Development Carbon NanotubesCarbon Nanotubes

Woven ribbonWoven ribbon Composite ribbonComposite ribbon Lower costLower cost ManufacturabilityManufacturability

ClimbersClimbers Compression or pressure Compression or pressure

on ribbon without damageon ribbon without damage High reliabilityHigh reliability Operate in multiple Operate in multiple

environmentsenvironments ReusableReusable

Power BeamingPower Beaming Each component has been Each component has been

demonstrated but an demonstrated but an integrated system has not integrated system has not been operatedbeen operated

Human travel on space Human travel on space elevators above LEO elevators above LEO requires shielding requires shielding developmentdevelopment

Deployment SpacecraftDeployment Spacecraft Must be launched to LEO Must be launched to LEO

in pieces and then in pieces and then assembledassembled

Deployment mechanism Deployment mechanism Power for thrusting and Power for thrusting and

deploymentdeployment At the current, conceptual At the current, conceptual

level of our understanding level of our understanding of the space elevator of the space elevator systems, no “show systems, no “show stoppers” have been stoppers” have been identifiedidentified

The devil is in the detailsThe devil is in the details

HazardsHazards 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

ClimbersClimbers Spacecraft that traverse many Spacecraft that traverse many

different environmentsdifferent environments High reliability required, must High reliability required, must

run for ~100,000 kmrun for ~100,000 km Many different missions: Many different missions:

payload, ribbon diagnostics, payload, ribbon diagnostics, ribbon laying and repair, ribbon laying and repair, science experiment, rescuescience experiment, rescue

200 km/hr speed above 200 km/hr speed above tropospheretroposphere

7 tons mass with 13 ton 7 tons mass with 13 ton payload capabilitypayload capability

Mass producible and reusableMass producible and reusable Photovoltaic array receives Photovoltaic array receives

powerpower

Power BeamingPower Beaming High power diode array lasers High power diode array lasers

generate infrared radiation generate infrared radiation (0.84 microns)(0.84 microns)

~12 meter telescope with ~12 meter telescope with adaptive opticsadaptive optics

Diagnostics on climbers to Diagnostics on climbers to provide feedback to adaptive provide feedback to adaptive optics systemoptics system

Photovoltaic array on bottom Photovoltaic array on bottom of climber platform tuned to of climber platform tuned to 0.84 microns0.84 microns

3 beaming systems providing 3 beaming systems providing 2.4 MW onto the climber2.4 MW onto the climber

Beaming stations on separate Beaming stations on separate platformsplatforms

Climber power requirements Climber power requirements change depending upon change depending upon altitudealtitude

Spaceward Space Elevator Spaceward Space Elevator Games – Climber CompetitionGames – Climber Competition

Forum in which the Forum in which the NASA Centennial NASA Centennial Challenge: Climber Challenge: Climber Competition is Competition is conductedconducted

Begun in 2005Begun in 2005 Performance Performance

requirements have requirements have driven the teams to high driven the teams to high power lasers power power lasers power beamingbeaming

2009 Laser Motive won 2009 Laser Motive won the first level prizethe first level prize

September 2010September 2010

Spaceward Space Elevator Spaceward Space Elevator Games – Tether Strength Games – Tether Strength

CompetitionCompetition Forum in which the Forum in which the

NASA Centennial NASA Centennial Challenge: Tether Challenge: Tether Strength Competition is Strength Competition is conductedconducted

Begun in 2005Begun in 2005 Performance Performance

requirements have requirements have resulted in no serious resulted in no serious competitors!competitors!

2010 Competition at the 2010 Competition at the Space Elevator Space Elevator ConferenceConference



Economics: Mission / Spacecraft CostsEconomics: Mission / Spacecraft Costs

Cost of space missions Cost of space missions immediately drops by a factor immediately drops by a factor of 2 because launch costs of 2 because launch costs become a very small fraction become a very small fraction of the hardware costsof the hardware costs

Spacecraft can be built much Spacecraft can be built much more inexpensively because more inexpensively because the launch environment is the launch environment is much more benignmuch more benign

100,000 km length100,000 km length Less onboard propulsion to Less onboard propulsion to

destinationsdestinations Throw capability beyond Mars Throw capability beyond Mars

and Venusand Venus

Risk is lowered:Risk is lowered: Spacecraft can be tested after Spacecraft can be tested after

lift but before launchlift but before launch Spacecraft can be brought Spacecraft can be brought

back downback down Spacecraft may be retrieved Spacecraft may be retrieved

and/or serviced in some casesand/or serviced in some cases Rapid, inexpensive launchesRapid, inexpensive launches

At the same time, riskier At the same time, riskier missions can be undertaken missions can be undertaken because unit costs are small. because unit costs are small.

Space technology develop-Space technology develop-ment will be acceleratedment will be accelerated

Space Solar PowerSpace Solar Power SSP is possibly the second major SSP is possibly the second major

commercial use of spacecommercial use of space Photovoltaic cells convert Photovoltaic cells convert

sunlight to electricity, then this sunlight to electricity, then this energy is converted to energy is converted to microwaves and beamed to Earthmicrowaves and beamed to Earth

On Earth these receiver arrays On Earth these receiver arrays convert microwave power to convert microwave power to electrical energyelectrical energy

SSP promises clean energy for SSP promises clean energy for EarthEarth

Remote parts of Earth can have Remote parts of Earth can have power beamed to a local ground power beamed to a local ground station allowing economic growthstation allowing economic growth

High latitudes are problematicHigh latitudes are problematic Constructing these huge Constructing these huge

structures at geosynchronous structures at geosynchronous orbit will promote robotic orbit will promote robotic technologies valuable to working technologies valuable to working in hostile environmentsin hostile environments

SSP Business ModelSSP Business Model

1975 NASA Study – Rockets 2004 M. Kellum Study – Space Elevator35 years to “breakeven” 7 (11, 2008 update) years to

“breakeven”

Green TransportationGreen TransportationSpace Elevator Space Elevator launched solar power launched solar power arrays, photovoltaic or arrays, photovoltaic or thermalthermalEnable electrical power without Enable electrical power without “direct” emissions (systems level “direct” emissions (systems level analysis of entire life cycle)analysis of entire life cycle)AutomobilesAutomobilesLocomotivesLocomotivesShipsShipsAircraft?Aircraft?Space Elevator access to Space Elevator access to spacespaceMaglev trains in evacuated Maglev trains in evacuated tunnelstunnels

The New WorldThe New World Space is close to us all the timeSpace is close to us all the time Space is for everyone, not just the eliteSpace is for everyone, not just the elite Space is a place to visitSpace is a place to visit Space is a place in which to workSpace is a place in which to work Space is a place to make moneySpace is a place to make money Space is a place to experimentSpace is a place to experiment Other heavenly bodies are accessibleOther heavenly bodies are accessible Exploration and colonization are feasibleExploration and colonization are feasible Humans are safer from extinction by our Humans are safer from extinction by our

conquest of spaceconquest of space Space has resources that will help solve Space has resources that will help solve

problems on Earthproblems on Earth

Historical Examples of Societies Historical Examples of Societies that turned their backs on that turned their backs on

Exploration and ColonizationExploration and Colonization The Vikings in the The Vikings in the

case of Vinland, circa case of Vinland, circa 1000 A.D.1000 A.D.

The Chinese in the The Chinese in the case of recalling their case of recalling their treasure fleets, circa treasure fleets, circa ~1400 A.D.~1400 A.D.

The United States in The United States in the case of the moon, the case of the moon, circa 1973circa 1973



Future Conferences, Events and Future Conferences, Events and Contact InformationContact Information

EuroSpaceward Workshop, Dec. 2010, LuxembourgEuroSpaceward Workshop, Dec. 2010, Luxembourg

2011 Space Elevator Conference, Summer, Redmond, WA – 2011 Space Elevator Conference, Summer, Redmond, WA – includes includes NASA Centennial Challenge Strong Tether Strong Tether Competition – Competition – www.spaceelevatorconference.org

NASA Centennial Challenge Power Beaming Competition

Spaceward Space Elevator Games, Spring 2011

Dr. Bryan E. Laubscher – [email protected]



SEI Mars MissionSEI 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 CostPropulsion Cost 1000 ton spacecraft 1000 ton spacecraft

implies $34 billion one implies $34 billion one way travel to Marsway travel to Mars

At best $10 billion to get At best $10 billion to get it to LEO - 62 miles of a it to LEO - 62 miles of a 93 million mile trip93 million mile trip

Human ConsciousnessHuman Consciousness

• Tower of Babel:Tower of Babel:• And the Lord came down to see the city and the And the Lord came down to see the city and the

tower, which the sons of men had built. And the Lord tower, which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and nothing that they propose to do will they will do; and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech."understand one another's speech."

• Jack and the BeanstalkJack and the Beanstalk• ““Stairway to Heaven”Stairway to Heaven”

Mars Exploration / Earth ElevatorMars Exploration / Earth Elevator

Earth ElevatorEarth Elevator Affordable, reliable Affordable, reliable

robotic and manned robotic and manned exploration missionsexploration missions

High capacity, low cost High capacity, low cost launches to Marslaunches to Mars

Possible to Possible to economically and economically and reliably supply manned reliably supply manned outposts and coloniesoutposts and colonies

Earth elevator throws a Earth elevator throws a Martian elevator to Martian elevator to Mars orbitMars orbit

Mars Exploration / Martian ElevatorMars Exploration / Martian Elevator Martian ElevatorMartian Elevator

Less massive and shorter Less massive and shorter than Earth elevatorthan Earth elevator

Deploys itself from orbitDeploys itself from orbit Save on aerobraking and Save on aerobraking and

landing hardware using landing hardware using Martian elevatorMartian elevator

Many interception Many interception altitudes are possible with altitudes are possible with a space elevator a space elevator rendezvousrendezvous

Enables recycling of Enables recycling of hardware between hardware between Martian and Earth orbit Martian and Earth orbit

Enables capture of Enables capture of supplies from Earth and supplies from Earth and commerce from Mars to commerce from Mars to EarthEarth

Mars Exploration RecapMars Exploration RecapRocketRocket

3.39 kg in Earth orbit to get 1 kg to Mars vicinity3.39 kg in Earth orbit to get 1 kg to Mars vicinity That means That means $33,900$33,900 / kg of cargo to Mars (with / kg of cargo to Mars (with

aerobraking)aerobraking) Everything must survive violent launch environmentEverything must survive violent launch environment

Space ElevatorSpace Elevator $3000 $3000 / kg (economy of scale will decrease this)/ kg (economy of scale will decrease this) Benign launch environment, except for radiationBenign launch environment, except for radiation Higher velocity trip to Mars possibleHigher velocity trip to Mars possible Launch infrastructure that supports our ambitions in Launch infrastructure that supports our ambitions in

spacespace

Space Elevator Enables Space Elevator Enables Exploration of SpaceExploration 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


Topics to be covered:Topics to be covered: Basic conceptsBasic concepts Why the Space Elevator?Why the Space Elevator? Space Elevator HistorySpace Elevator History Space Elevator DesignSpace Elevator Design Space Elevator ChallengesSpace Elevator Challenges World TransformationWorld Transformation Space ExplorationSpace Exploration Conferences and EventsConferences and Events PhilosophyPhilosophy ConclusionConclusion

Space-Based AstronomySpace-Based Astronomy

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

James Webb Space TelescopeJames Webb Space TelescopeSpace-based astronomy Space-based astronomy

missions face the problem missions face the problem that we have a launch that we have a launch infrastructure that does not infrastructure that does not support our plans for spacesupport our plans for space

The cost of a 6.5 meter The cost of a 6.5 meter segmented mirror is much segmented mirror is much less than the 5+ billion dollar less than the 5+ billion dollar price tag!price tag!

2013 launch is a long time!2013 launch is a long time! These costs and schedules These costs and schedules

are driven by the launch are driven by the launch costs costs

These costs and schedules These costs and schedules are driven by the are driven by the requirements of fitting the requirements of fitting the payload in the rocket fairing payload in the rocket fairing and unfolding this into and unfolding this into positionposition

Societal DeclineSocietal Decline Societies in the past have failed Societies in the past have failed

to explore, or turned their back to explore, or turned their back on exploration even when the on exploration even when the “new world” was reached“new world” was reached

These societies have faded from These societies have faded from centuries past as societies that centuries past as societies that did explore rose to prominencedid explore rose to prominence

The US pulled back from space The US pulled back from space exploration, certainly because of exploration, certainly because of the cost, possibly because we the cost, possibly because we had not developed the had not developed the appropriate technology (space appropriate technology (space elevators and nuclear rockets) to elevators and nuclear rockets) to sustain the effortsustain the effort

NERVA RocketNERVA Rocket

Delta IV / Space ElevatorDelta IV / Space Elevator“Capital Investment”“Capital Investment”

# of Rockets Rocket Total Cost Space 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 SummaryDelta IV LC Summary

# of Rockets Cost/rocket Cumulative Total

Cost

1 $ 162,390,000 $ 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 Magnetosphere

Sun & Earth – Closed SystemSun & Earth – Closed System Zero Sum GameZero Sum Game As humans ask more resources As humans ask more resources

from the planet, we are from the planet, we are approaching a limitapproaching a limit

This reality transcends all opinions This reality transcends all opinions of what is happening now on of what is happening now on EarthEarth

Opening space to use to solve Opening space to use to solve problems on Earth is the only way problems on Earth is the only way to overcome the Zero Sum Gameto overcome the Zero Sum Game

Chemical rocket technology is so Chemical rocket technology is so inefficient and expensive that it inefficient and expensive that it will not be possible to open space will not be possible to open space economicallyeconomically

Space Elevator technology is a Space Elevator technology is a system that is efficient, capable of system that is efficient, capable of high capacity and subject to the high capacity and subject to the economy of scaleeconomy of scale

When CNTs Enable When CNTs Enable the Space Elevatorthe Space Elevator

Our society will expect the Space Elevator to be Our society will expect the Space Elevator to be built using these “wonderful CNTs” that now built using these “wonderful CNTs” that now pervade their world.pervade their world.

This implies that to foster Space Elevator development, we should develop CNTs.

Documents

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