A lunar space elevator is a proposed cable running from the surface of the Moon into space.
It is similar in concept to the better known Earth space elevator idea (a cable suspended above Earth, with its center of gravity slightly above geostationary orbit). It would instead be constructed with its center of gravity in a stationary position above the surface of the Moon, providing a controlled means to transport people and/or materials between the surface and lunar orbit.
A lunar elevator could significantly reduce the costs and improve reliability of soft-landing equipment on the lunar surface. For example, it would permit the use of mass-efficient (high specific impulse), low thrust drives such as ion drives which otherwise cannot land on the Moon. Since the cable would possess a microgravity point, these and other drives can reach the cable from low Earth orbit (LEO) with minimal launched fuel from Earth. With conventional rockets, the fuel needed to reach the lunar surface from LEO is many times the landed mass, thus the elevator can reduce launch costs for payloads bound for the lunar surface by a similar factor.
Read more about Lunar Space Elevator: Location, Fabrication, History, Materials, Climbing Vehicles, Possible Uses
Famous quotes containing the words lunar, space and/or elevator:
“A bird half wakened in the lunar noon
Sang halfway through its little inborn tune.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“And Space with gaunt grey eyes and her brother Time
Wheeling and whispering come,”
—James Elroy Flecker (1884–1919)
“The cigar-box which the European calls a “lift” needs but to be compared with our elevators to be appreciated. The lift stops to reflect between floors. That is all right in a hearse, but not in elevators. The American elevator acts like the man’s patent purge—it works”
—Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835–1910)