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KA9LCF > NEWS 28.04.12 00:01l 55 Lines 1993 Bytes #999 (0) @ ALLIN
BID : 36088-KA9LCF
Read: GUEST
Subj: ARN: That Final Item
Path: IZ3LSV<IK6IHL<IK6ZDE<XQ8FGC<JH4XSY<JE7YGF<XE1FH<J39BS<9Y4PJ<N9LYA<
KA9LCF
Sent: 120427/0258Z 36088@KA9LCF.#NEIN.IN.USA.NOAM [167162]FBB7.01.35 alpha $:36
From: KA9LCF@KA9LCF.#NEIN.IN.USA.NOAM
To : NEWS@ALLIN
THAT FINAL ITEM: JAPAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY PLANS SPACE
ELEVATOR
And finally this week, while it might the stuff of science
fiction dreams are made ofr, a Japanese construction company
has announced that it will have built a working space
elevator by 2050. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Butera-
Howell, KB3TZD, is here with this glimpse into the future:
--
Imagine putting a microsat under your arm, taking it on an
elevator ride to a geostationary on-orbit outpost and
eventually hsving it tossed into space. Such might be the
case in about 40 to 50 years if the plans of a Japan-based
construction company come to pass,
According to the The Daily Yomiuri newspaper, the company
known as Obayashi Corporation has announced it will build a
kind of space elevator by the year 2050. One that will be
capable of shuttling passengers and supplies 36,000
kilometers above the Earth.
The company plans to use carbon nanontubes, which are said
to be 20 times stronger than steel, to produce the cables
required for the elevator. Those cables will be stretched to
a counterweight 96,000 kilometers above our planet. Thats
about one-fourth of the distance between the Earth and the
moon.
An Obayashi official told the newspaper that the terminal
station to be located 36,000 kilometers above Earth, will be
reached by cars that can carry 30 people and travel at 200
kilometers per hour.
He adds that at this moment, the company cannot estimate the
cost for the project. However, they will try to make steady
progress so that it won't end just up as simply a dream.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Heather Butera-Howell.
KB3TZD, looking at the future from near Burwick,
Pennsylvania.
--
The Obayashi spokesperson could not estimate the cost the
cost of the project but did admit that it will be high. And
whether this project can actually become a reality is up for
discussion for at least the time being. (Yomiuri News)
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