Feasibility of the Orbital Elevator

(Study of System Stability by 2 Dimensional Movement Experiment)

Abstract

The Space Elevator is viewed as the answer to obtaining lower space transportation costs; an alternative to expendable launch vehicles. As an initial step towards realizing such a system, the Hybrid Space Elevator is undergoing consideration. In this report, the feasibility of such an Orbital Elevator utilizing the hybrid system will be analyzed, through the use of a pneumatic floating test bed for a basic two-dimensional experiment. This paper also discusses the analytical model for an Orbital Elevator, designed for use in this experiment.