Space Elevator Patented
Space Elevator Patented
As was pointed out on one of the Yahoo Groups that I frequent, a patent (#6491258) has been issued to Lockheed Martin for a space elevator. This type of space elevator is different from the space elevator envisioned by Tsiolkovsky, Artsutanov, Clarke, Edwards, Laine and so on; for the Lockheed design, the bottom of the elevator is not affixed to the surface of the earth, but is instead itself located in a "substantially fixed orbital distance from the surface of the earth".
Technorati Tags: Space Elevator, Patent, Lockheed Martin
As was pointed out on one of the Yahoo Groups that I frequent, a patent (#6491258) has been issued to Lockheed Martin for a space elevator. This type of space elevator is different from the space elevator envisioned by Tsiolkovsky, Artsutanov, Clarke, Edwards, Laine and so on; for the Lockheed design, the bottom of the elevator is not affixed to the surface of the earth, but is instead itself located in a "substantially fixed orbital distance from the surface of the earth".
Technorati Tags: Space Elevator, Patent, Lockheed Martin
4 Comments:
I don't understand the "substantially fixed orbital distance" statement. Sounds a bit vague to me. Either it's geosynchronous or not, unless they're planning on using some thrusters.
Maybe they'll keep the bottom in LEO and then the top in geosync?
Here from Technorati since yours are linked to mine. So while I'm at it I wish you A Marry Christmas - all the way from Norway:-)
This version of SE serves their short term interests more than LiftPorts, mainly because it:
a) keeps the rocket industry alive without providing competition and
b) helps to lower the cost of space
Unfortunately, if LiftPort were able to construct a space elevator from the ground, LockHeed's SE would not last too long (as a ground version could haul more cargo).
Sounds more like a SkyHook than an elevator...
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