Jerry: I'd "suggest" at this point you do NOT let yourself get "side-tracked" with answering issues of "justification" (ie: Space Colonization, Resource Mining, etc) because there currently IS no "justification" that can stand up in logical discussion. And it doesn't directly apply to the feasability of the concept in any case. I'd also defer any questions on financial feasabilty to a later date for the reason cited above; You're not far enough along yet to do more than SWAG those details at this point.
Jerry: Dont' get pulled into a "location" argument either at this point, simply state that it COULD be located just about anywhere and leave it at that. As an FYI though, an island near the equator would have many advantages as you could tap Ocean Thermal Energy (OTEC) for power production AND cooling water for the laser arrays. The location also offers fewer weather related issues.
1. How much hydrogen does it take to fill a series of 150-km towers, and how does this requirement compare to the worldwide production of hydrogen? How much does hydrogen cost? Just estimating the costs of some of the basic materials will give you some idea of how (wildly) expensive this project might be.
Maybe I'm being thick, but I don't understand. The ribons hang down when not rotating, don't they? As they are spun up how do they not contact with the guy wires?Edit:I'm being thick, presumably the ribons are spooled out as they are rotated.
The concept is a literal mathematical extrapolation of the forces involved in a rotating tower/slinging device to the scale of the system sketched by Mr. Fisher. An extrapolation is not a demonstration.
Since I understand that the equations for a rotating tower ten inches tall are the same as for one 150km tall, I call it a literal mathematical extrapolation.
I don't think you have accounted for the guy wires correctly. To stabalise the structure they must exert a considerable downward force (due to their weight and tension). This force has to be added to that which is countered by the hydrogen/helium in the towers.
I've extrapolated their extrapolation to 150 km using carbon nanotube fibers at a much higher internal pressure. If this is what you call a literal mathmatical extrapolation, then I'm guilty. But, it does not invalidate the concept.
Some good work here.
As presently conceived, there will be four phases of development. First, a 25 km tower for test and evaluation of the concept.
, check out the Gemini and Agenda rendezvous.
Why not a 25 m tower? Seems you could make a nice model of the whole system and work out a lot of issues before moving on to something huge.