Who will build the first Space Elevator?

To paraphrase Robert Heinlein (I don’t remember which novel this was in), “The laws of Physics work for everyone, not just Americans.”  I’m sure I have the specific quote wrong, but I think I’m accurately capturing the sentiment he was expressing – if we don’t build it, someone else can (and will).

Once the cable can actually be created, the limiting factor will be the heavy-lift capability to get it into geosynchronous orbit.  Right now, only the American and Russian space programs can do this.  But others, most notably the Chinese, Indians and Japanese may have this capability in the near future.

This is an interesting article about our future space partners/competitors.  It has nothing to do, explicitly, with building a Space Elevator, but the issues it brings up are, IMHO, very relevant to who will actually build the first Space Elevator.

I’ve been thinking about this for some time now.  We promote the Space Elevator as a tool for opening up space to everyone, not just “government employees and rich tourists”.  The idea sounds great, and, certainly, I’m all for it if it means that I might be able to get to space one day.  But its easy to imagine some (paranoid) scenarios where another country or consortium builds the Space Elevator and then sells lift capacity to people/groups who we do not agree with.

I certainly don’t propose NOT building a Space Elevator.  I just want to make sure that its we Americans who are the ones who build it and operate it… 

2 thoughts on “Who will build the first Space Elevator?

  1. Brian

    I just want to make sure that its we Americans who are the ones who build it and operate it…

    Perceptions matter. If the SE is built by the government it will have just as many restrictions on who can use it as any state owned launcher. NASA can _say_ they are open to all comers but the perception might be otherwise.

    A private venture – being all greedy and profit motivated* soulless capitalists – can say they’re open to all and mean it. We can involve organizations from other countries and not worry overmuch about how it’s going to affect the upcoming election. If an Aussie company can build the ribbon and Toyota the lifters .. more power to ’em.

    We only need to obey the law and pay enough attention to politics to stay out of hot water.

    But I’m biased.

    Brian

    *being a little sarcastic here

  2. Bob Munck

    Right now, only the American and Russian space programs can do this. I think that the Chinese Long March has the capacity now. The current generation can do 9200 kg to LEO, 5100 kg to GTO. Their next generation will be capable of 25,000 kg to LEO.

    And I’d imagine that anybody with the money can buy Russian and Chinese launches.

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