For a one time capital cost of US$800 Million [2012],
The first generation lunar elevator kit weighs 30 tons and can be delivered today to the Lunar L1 lagrange libration location, using a single Delta-IV (or Ariane-V) launch.
• Cargo delivery from the Moon to the Earth can be done within 6 days using solar power and no propellant.
The statement is correct as written.The climber is solar powered, electric motors pull the climber up and down the tether, wheels interacting with the ribbon via friction.The cruising speed is 700 metres per second, which results in a travel time of 6 to 7 days.
The 30 ton version was developed by LiftPort. The 250 ton version was developed by Tehcnion.
I am sorry you lost me, the comments you make appear unrelated to the sections of text you are quoting.I really do not understand your question.
Conclusions• Cargo delivery from the Moon to the Earth top of the tether can be done within 6 days using solar power and no propellant.• The cargo system uses a cable car moving along a stretched ribbon.• The ribbon is kept stretched by terrestrial and lunar gravity. One end is anchored on the Moon and the other one free.• The cargo released from the cable car performs a passive flight to the Earth.
Quote from: cfrjlr on 02/18/2014 02:41 pm• Cargo delivery from the Moon to the Earth can be done within 6 days using solar power and no propellant.Another typo? Or are you thinking of solar sails?
Quote from: cfrjlr on 02/18/2014 07:26 pmI am sorry you lost me, the comments you make appear unrelated to the sections of text you are quoting.I really do not understand your question.How does the cargo, after a six-day trip from the lunar surface to the upper end of the tether, get from the tether back to Earth? Passive flight? You mean you just turn it loose and it floats back to EarthYou should correct your initial statement to replace "Earth" to "top of tether".Thanks.
{snip}The first market will probably be Helium-3 which currently sells on the terrestrial market for one million dollars per ounce. There is a critical shortage of He-3 which is in great demand for various industrial applications. Terrestrial supplies of He-3 will be exhausted by 2030. He-3 is abundant on the lunar surface.{snip}
Ok, I'm requoting it again. Your post talks about Moon-Earth travel without propellant. Don't you mean Moon-end of tether using the elevator? Moon-Earth travel will of course require propellant, except if you use a solar sail, which I seriously doubt it was on your mind.
Quote from: cfrjlr on 02/18/2014 02:41 pm{snip}The first market will probably be Helium-3 which currently sells on the terrestrial market for one million dollars per ounce. There is a critical shortage of He-3 which is in great demand for various industrial applications. Terrestrial supplies of He-3 will be exhausted by 2030. He-3 is abundant on the lunar surface.{snip}Not that old wild goose chase. Forget He-3. It makes you look like a crank.