A team of Japanese scientists from the University of Shizuoka and other organizations is going to conduct the first experiment with the idea of developing a “space Elevator” devices, able in theory to connect the Earth and the space station a special cable, which in the future will open new opportunities to bring payloads into low earth orbit, as well as delivery people.
A similar experiment will be conducted in space for the first time. Before scientists begin to create a full “space Elevator”, they will have to solve many engineering and scientific issues related to the development of special high-strength cables, with which the space Elevator will rise into orbit. The experiment should take place in the coming days.
Within it, scientists want to use two ultra-compact satellite-cubata (dimensions 10×10 cm), which will lead to orbit by carrier rocket H-2B. The satellites are interconnected using a 10-meter steel cable, which will be installed improvised disc, acting as a lift. With this set, the Japanese want to prove the reality of the theory of “space Elevator”.
The essence of the experiment is to extend the lift cable, length 10 m Wire at this time will be in limbo. They were launched in turn is needed in order to keep the cable taut. “Space Elevator” will begin its way by wire from the container inside of which the rocket will deliver the satellite into orbit.
To monitor the movement of a “space Elevator” will be using the cameras installed on satellites. However, experts note that even if successful, the Japanese still is not close to the end of the implementation of the project “space Elevator”.
The launch of the carrier rocket H-2B with two companions aboard is scheduled on September 11.
The first idea of a space Elevator was proposed by the Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in the XIX century. Then, about a hundred years this subject again “raised” in his work the British science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke. In the view of modern scholars such a device will be able to deliver people and cargo into orbit with a speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour. According to preliminary calculations, the total length of cable in a full space Elevator will reach 96,000 kilometers. According to estimates of Japanese scientists, the construction of a space Elevator could cost the Treasury 10 trillion yen, which is roughly similar to the cost of the project of Maglev train, which is planned to connect Tokyo and Osaka. At the same time, experts note, the shipping cost of 1 kg of weight into orbit using the space Elevator is estimated at several tens of thousand yen (or about 1/100 of the cost of delivery of the same volume with the space Shuttle).
“In theory a space Elevator to create quite real. Thanks to this setup in the future, space travel will become affordable for many more wishes,” commented Yoji Ishikawa, one of the team members of the future experiment.
According to scientists, the main difficulty in implementing the idea of the space Elevator is the development of a suitable high strength cable, which this Elevator will move. Such cable must have a good protection against high-energy cosmic rays. According to the researchers, the excellent material on the role of foundations for this cable can serve as carbon nanotubes. Another task on which you have to consider is the delivery of electricity from the Earth into orbit. In addition, they will have to solve the problem of space debris and to factor in possible collision with micrometeorites.
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Japan will conduct the first test of the concept of the space Elevator
Nikolai Khizhnyak