Mechanical Analysis and Design of Drive Roller for Space Elevator Climber

（Part 8 ; Climber experiment under low vacuum simulating space environment）

Abstract

The mechanism and various control methods of the climber for the space elevator have been developed considerably in the range of operation on the ground. However, there are many problems when operating in the actual space environment. In this study, we developed a mini-climber experimental device with a loop-type tether for designing and developing a climber for the space environment. In the experiment, the mini-climber was stored in a vacuum chamber and compared its operating characteristics under atmospheric pressure and low vacuum. Under low vacuum, there is almost no atmosphere, and it was confirmed that the higher the rotation speed, the higher the operating efficiency. However, a significant temperature rise was confirmed because the heat generated by friction between the climber and the tether was not diffused. Various data simulating the space environment has become valuable data for climber design.