Space Elevator

Module Outcomes

• What is a space elevator, and why would it be so useful?

• What sort of material could webuild a space elevator from?

• Why do different materials have different properties?

• What are carbon nanotubes, and how can we learn about them?

In this module we will address the following questions:

Images: Benuzter:Scharm@wikipedia

Space Elevator ConceptArtist Pat Rawlings concept of a space elevator viewed from the geostationary transfer station looking down along the length of the elevator toward Earth.

Image: Courtesy Pat Rawlings

What If You Could Build A Stairway To The Moon?

Image: © Dorling Kindersley

What If A Path To The Stars Was Paved In Carbon?

Image: © Dorling Kindersley

Houston, We Have A Problem…

Image: © Dorling Kindersley

• On 20 May the toilet broke down on the International Space Station…..

• It wasn’t until 5 June that a shuttle arrived with the parts needed to repair the toilet.

• That’s a very long time to wait.

• Imagine if the astronauts and cosmonauts were running out of water, or air? How could the repair parts be delivered to them in time?

Space Elevator: A New Way To Reach The Stars

The Space Elevatoris a cable-like tool which could connect the Earthwith a fixed structure in outer space.- It would provide a permanent link betweenEarth and outer space.

Image: Courtesy The Enterprise Mission

Let’s Learn More About Space Elevators

View the Space Elevator animation and then conduct research as guided by your teacher.

Image: Courtesy Pat Rawlings

Space Elevator: Summary

Image: Courtesy The Enterprise Mission

• The Space Elevator is a theoretical concept.- it would provide a permanent link between Earth and space.

• The cable in a Space Elevator could only be constructed from an extremely strong, flexible and lightweight material, such as carbon nanotubes.

Activities

Activity 1 – T-ChartExamine the Space Elevator concept further by using the T chart to compare current technologies with the Space Elevator

Activity 2 – KWLHStart the process of researching the Space Elevator in preparation for a later performance activity using the KWLH chart

Properties Of Carbon Nanotubes

Image: Mstroeck@wikipedia

• Strong – 200 times stronger than steel. – the first synthetic material to

have greater strength than spider silk.

• Light – 1 square kilometre = 30kg• Flexible – Compared to most materials.• Heat resistant –resists burning like a metal.

Carbon Nanotubes?

Image: erikcharlton@flickr

• How can we explain the properties of carbon nanotubes?• What about other forms of carbon?

Experiment 1 Forms Of Carbon• Use these molecular images to do the

Forms of Carbon Experiment

Image: Mstroeck@wikipedia

Forms Of Carbon: Nanotubes

Images Top to Bottom: Mstroeck@wikipedia, Pat Rawlings

Properties: strong, light, metal-like

Molecular structure: carbon atoms in regular, tubular structure

Application: space elevator cable

Forms Of Carbon: Buckyball

Images Top to Bottom: Mstroeck@wikipedia, compujeramy@flickr

Properties: light, semi-conductor or superconductor

Molecular structure: carbon atoms in regular, circular structure

Application: improved electronics

Forms Of Carbon: Diamond

Images Clockwise: betsssssy@flickr, swamibu@flickr, wikipedia

Properties: hard, clear, disperses light

Molecular structure: carbon atoms in crystal structure

Application: drill bits, jewellery

Forms Of Carbon: Graphite

Images Clockwise: Wikipedia, orangeacid@flickr, compujeramey@flickr, stuseege@flickr

Properties: light, super lubricating,

conductor

Molecular structure: sheets of carbon atoms in

regular, flat structure

Application: pencil, sport equipment,

electronics

Space Elevator: Performance

Image: emeryjl@flickr

• Write and perform a 5-10 minute drama that will teach other students and adults about space elevators and carbon nanotubes.

• Groups of 5• Performance must include

at least 10 scientific facts• Be creative!

Could You Win?

Image: spaceward.org

• Currently The Spaceward Foundation is running two competitions to design the space elevator.

• A total of US$ 4 million is up for grabs.

• Design either the climber (the elevator unit) or the tether (the “string”)

Activity 3 - Performance

Create a performance to teach others about the Space Elevator and Carbon Nanotubes.

Summary• The Space Elevator is a new concept possible

due to nanotechnology• Carbon nanotubes are a form of carbon, and

have unique properties which can be explained by understanding their molecular structure

• With proper referencing, the internet can be used as a first ‘port of call’ for new information and research

Revision1. Why do scientists want to design a space

elevator?2. Carbon nanotubes would be an important

construction material in the space elevator. Explain how and why they would be used.

3. List as many different types of carbon that you can.

4. What causes the types of carbon to have different properties?