Pulling an object from earth to space

[VSM]

Is it possible that if i was to be in space, around or above the distance of the hubble space telescope where im just floating (The Hubble Space Telescope orbits 353 miles (569 km) above the surface of the Earth) , lets say i have a space station with a very powerful pulling system that is moving and rotating with the earth just like the earths many satellites including its rocket boosters for movement, control, direction etc.. I would like to pull an object from earth at a fixed location from there lets say texas using maybe a steel rope or an ordinary thick rope tied to a brick, so i should be able to pull that to myself out to space right? Now what if i wanted to pull a car out to space or any mid sized object weighing between 5 to 10 tons even 20 tons, will i be able to do it? Or as its lifting, will earths gravity pull me instead, and since it has rocket boosters should it have to be used to keep the station from falling to earth to balance out the weight ratio of the object on earth and successfully get it out to space, can that be possible? Will the station have to use rockets to keep itself suspended at its fixed location while pulling such a heavy object? Will it be necessary to use the rockets at all times for any object of weight? But if it is necessary that is ok. Speed of the object moving out to space is not a factor, but mainly earths gravity on an object. And what about space and its mass/structure, I am mainly focused on space and that if space has any "strength" from earths gravity to allow something like this to be achieved. Thank you.

[deleted-71417]

Hi,

It looks like you are interested in the concept of a space elevator, as discussed in this article:

http://chaos.swarthmore.edu/courses/PDG ... 000125.pdf

http://www.liftport.com/papers/2005Dec_SEquestions.pdf

http://www.liftport.com/

It is a fascinating concept that looks like it is getting serious consideration.

Have fun exploring the idea!

Barrett Tomlinson

[deleted-71447]

Hi VSM,
To add to what Barrett said, I think you can answer some of your questions with a simple energy balance calculation. Keeping in mind the potential energy of the payload and of the space station, what would you expect to happen when the potential energy of the payload is increased? In other words, where would the energy come from to boost the potential energy of the payload? It has to come from somewhere.
In section V of the first link given by Barrett, there is a nice discussion of the energy savings associated with a space elevator, which relies on a rigid structure with a foundation on Earth's surface. It sounds as though most of the savings comes from not having to use a massive spaceship to attain orbit when delivering equipment, etc.
Thanks for raising this interesting topic. I'm sure our other experts will have more to add.
Chris

[deleted-71588]

If one attempts to extend a rope/wire/cable/etc from a large platform in geosynchronous circular orbit down to the earth, there are lots of physics problems involved:
1) Gravitational forces and forward velocity are balanced so that the object "falls" in an arc which is the orbital arc.
2) An object that has a lower orbit requires a faster forward velocity to stay in orbit. If it is attached to a geosynchronous platform in a higer orbit, it will exert a considerable force (much higher than what the mass or pure gravitational force would predict) on that platform which will increase with the difference in orbit heights.
2a) To reduce this force, one has to have a less massive cable.
2b) The sum of all of the "drag" forces must not exceed the tensil strength of the cable.
3) The gas molecules in the atmosphere are not in synchronous orbit with the earth and maybe moving in different directions at different altitudes.
3a) The interaction of the atmosphere and the "cable" will result in additional forces being exerted

Nasa has conducted some teather experiments in space. You should read up on them as well.