Abstract Space elevators studied thus far have been mainly the climber type, in which a cable connects the ground to a space station and the payload is transported by climbers ascending and descending along the cable. However, this type of system has problems, such as the difficulty of supplying energy to climbers and a short lifespan owing to the abrasion of the cable and climber wheels during operation. To avoid these problems, in this study, we investigate a novel counterweight-type space elevator. This system consists of two cables: a guide cable that withstands the tension applied to the structure and a moving cable that connects two gondolas, one at either end of the cable, attaches to a driving wheel in the space station, and transports the payload in the gondolas by driving the wheel. In this study, we analyzed the cable dynamics by using the point mass cable model developed by our group when the counterweight type is applied between the station and the ground, and we calculated the energy necessary for actual operation. As a result, when the counterweight type is applied between the Mars gravity center (altitude 3900 km) and the ground, while the climber type is applied at altitudes above that, the system uses less energy than conventional climber-type space elevators.

    Highlights We investigate new type of space elevator, the counterweight type, which may avoid the problems with the climber type. We analyzed the cable dynamics of the counterweight type space elevator and calculated the power required for the operation. The result shows that the cable libration becomes three-dimensionally complicated, and there is a risk of cable interface. We found that the total power for transportation was reduced by using the counterweight type in the low altitude range.


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    Title :

    Three-dimensional analysis of a counterweight type space elevator


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 185 ; 132-139


    Publication date :

    2021-04-29


    Size :

    8 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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