Abstract
The author proposes two new revolutionary macro-engineering projects: inflatable pneumatic high altitude towers (height up to 100 km) and kinetic cable space towers (height up 160,000 km). The second method allows building of space elevator without rocket flights to space. Related to the first macro-project, the author provides theory and computations for building inflatable space towers. These macro-projects are not expensive and do not require rockets. They require thin strong films composed of artificial fibers and fabricated by current industry. They can be built using present technology. Towers can be used (for tourism, communication, etc.) during the construction process and provide self-financing for further construction. The tower design does not require outdoor work at high altitudes; all construction can be done at the Earth’s surface. The transport system for a tower consists of a small engine (used only for friction compensation) located at the Earth’s surface. The tower is separated into sections and has special protection mechanisms in case of damage. Related to the second macro-project, the author discusses a revolutionary new method to access outer space. A cable stands up vertically and pulls up its payload into space with a maximum force determined by its strength. From the ground the cable is allowed to rise up to the required altitude. After this, one can climb to any altitude using this cable or deliver a payload at altitude. The author shows how this is possible without infringing the law of gravity. The Section 2 contains the theory and computations for four macro-projects (towers that are 4, 75, 225 and 160,000 km in height, respectively). The first three macro-projects use the conventional artificial fiber produced by current industry, while the fourth project requires nanotubes currently made in scientific laboratories. The chapter also shows in a fifth macro-project how this idea can be used to launch a load at high altitude
Access provided by Autonomous University of Puebla. Download to read the full chapter text
Chapter PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson JD (1989) Hypersonic and high temperature gas dynamics. McGraw-Hill Book Co, New York
Bolonkin AA (1965) Theory of flight vehicles with control radial force. Collection researches of flight dynamics. Mashinostroenie Publisher, Moscow, 1965, pp 79–118 (in Russian)
Bolonkin AA (2002a) Transport system for delivery tourists at altitude 140 km. IAC-02-IAA.1.3.03. 53rd International Astronautical Congress, The World Space Congress – 2002, Houston, Texas, USA. http://Bolonkin.narod.ru/p65.htm. Cited 10–19 Oct 2002
Bolonkin AA (2002b) Non-rocket Earth-Moon transport system, COSPAR-02 B0.3-F3.3–0032-02, 02-A-02226. 34th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), The World Space Congress – 2002, Houston, Texas, USA, 10–19 October 2002
Bolonkin AA (2002c) Non-rocket Earth-Mars transport system, COSPAR-02 B0.4-C3.4–0036–02. 34th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), The World Space Congress – 2002, Houston, Texas, USA, 10–19 October 2002
Bolonkin AA (2002d) Optimal inflatable space towers with 3–100 km height. Paper presented COSPAR-02-C1.1–0035–02. 34th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research, IAC–02–IAA.1.3.03. Presented at World Space Congress 2002, Houston, TX, USA, 10–19 October
Bolonkin AA (2002e) Inexpensive cable launcher of high capability, IAC-02-V.P.07. 53rd International Astronautical Congress, The World Space Congress–2002, Houston, Texas, USA, 10–19 October 2002
Bolonkin AA (2003a) Hypersonic space launcher. J Actual Problems Aviation Aerospace Systems, 8(1): pp. 45–58, Kazan, Daytona Beach
Bolonkin AA (2003b) Asteroids as propulsion systems of space ships. J Br Interplanet Soc 56(3–4):98–107
Bolonkin AA (2003c) Space cable launchers. Paper 8057 at International Air & Space Symposium – the Next 100 Years, Dayton, Ohio, USA, 14–17 July 2003
Bolonkin AA (2003d) Centrifugal keeper for space stations and satellites. J Br Interplanet Soc 56:314–322. http://Bolonkin.narod.ru/p65.htm
Bolonkin AA (2003e) Non-rocket Earth-Moon transport system. Adv Space Res 31(11):2485–2490
Bolonkin AA (2003f) Earth accelerator for space ships and missiles. J Br Interplanet Soc 56(11/12):394–404
Bolonkin AA (2003g) Air cable transport and bridges, TN 7567. International Air & Space Symposium – the Next 100 Years, Dayton, Ohio, USA, 14–17 July 2003
Bolonkin AA (2003h) Air cable transport system. J Aircraft 40(2):265–269
Bolonkin AA (2003i) Optimal inflatable space towers with 3–100 km height. J Br Interplanet Soc 56(3/4):87–97
Bolonkin, AA (2003j) Non-rocket transportation system for space travel. J Br Interplanet Soc 56:231–249
Bolonkin AA (2004a) Kinetic space towers and launchers. J Br Interplanet Soc 57(1/2): pp. 33–39
Bolonkin AA (2004b) Multi-reflex propulsion system for space and air vehicles. J Br Interplanet Soc 57(11/12):379–390
Bolonkin AA (2005a) High speed catapult aviation, AIAA-2005–6221. Atmospheric Flight Mechanic Conference – 2005, USA, 15–18 August, 2005
Bolonkin AA (2005b) Kinetic Anti–Gravitator, AIAA-2005–4504. 41th Propulsion Conference, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 10–12 July 2005
Bolonkin AA (2005c) Electrostatic Solar Wind Propulsion System, AIAA-2005–3857. 41th Propulsion Conference, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 10–13 July 2005
Bolonkin AA (2005d) Sling Rotary Space Launcher, AIAA-2005–4035. 41th Propulsion Conference, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 10–13 July 2005
Carbon and High Performance Fibers (1995) Directory, 6th edn. Chapman & Hall, London
Clarke AC (1978) Fountains of paradise. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York
Dresselhous MS (2000) Carbon nanotubes. Springer, New York
Forward RL (1995) Indistinguishable from magic. Baen books, New York
Galasso FS (1989) Advanced fibers and composite. Gordon and Branch Science Publisher, London
Harris JT (1973) Advanced material and assembly methods for inflatable structures. AIAA, Paper no. 73–448
Hyde RA (1988) Earthbreak: A review of Earth-to-space transportation. In: Mark H, Wood L (eds) Energy in physics, war and peace. A festschrift celebrating Edward Teller’s, 80th birthday. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, pp 283–307
Koell DE (2000) Handbook of cost engineering. TCS, Germany
Landis GA (1998) Compression structures for earth launch, Paper AIAA-98–3737. 24th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Cleveland OH, July 13–15
Landis GA (2005) Correction. J Br Interplanet Soc 58:58
Landis A, Cafarelli C (1995) The Tsiolkovski tower, Paper IAF-95-V.4.07. 46th International Astronautics Federation Congress, Oslo, Norway, 2–6 October 1995
Landis A, Cafarelli C (1999) The Tsiolkovski tower re-examined. J Br Interplanet Soc 32:176–180
Lofstrom KH (1983) The launch loop. Analog 103:67–80
Lofstrom KH (1985) The launch loop: A low cost Earth-to-high orbit launch system, Paper AIAA-85–1368. AIAA 21st Joint Propulsion Conference
Lofsrom KH (2002) http://www.launchloop.com/launchloop.pdf
Mayboroda A (1988) Zero gravity on earth. Yuniy Tehnik (Young Technician), No. 10 (in Russian)
Pokrovskii GI (1964) Space tower, TM (Technology for Youth), No. 10 (in Russian)
Poliakov G (1977) Space Necklace of Earth, TM (Technology for Youth), no. 4 (in Russian)
Smitherman DV Jr (2000) Space elevators. NASA/CP-2000–210429
Space Technology & Applications (1996–97) International forum, parts 1–3, Albuquerque, MN
Tsiolkovski KE (1959) Grezi o zemle i nebe, Moskva, Izd-vo AN SSSR. Speculations about Earth and Sky on Vesta, Academy of Sciences, USSR, Moscow, p 35
Yunitskii A(1982) General planetary transport system, TM (Technology for Youth), No. 6 (in Russian). (see Russian works in http://www.ipu.ru/stran/bod/ing/sovet2.htm, http://www.ipu.ru/stran/bod/ing/sovet_ris.htm)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2006 Springer
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bolonkin, A.A. (2006). Space Towers. In: Badescu, V., Cathcart, R.B., Schuiling, R.D. (eds) Macro-Engineering. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 54. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4604-9_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4604-9_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-3739-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-4604-9
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)