Space elevator: Difference between revisions

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===Structure===
===Structure===
[[File:Space tether.png|thumb|250px|right|A portion of the Mombasa Tether in low Earth orbit.]]
[[File:Space tether.png|thumb|250px|right|A portion of the Mombasa Tether in low Earth orbit.]]
Space elevators vary in size and shape, but they are all typically composed of the same raw material. Meshed together as a complex composite of intertwining nanofibers, these ingredients form a series of massive cords and rings several hundred meters wide. They bind to a grounded set of [[polycrete]] anchors larger than most buildings which hold the elevator's structure in place while the planet spins on its axis. The zenith of the elevator, commonly known as the "orbital" or "terminus" is then pulled taut by the planet's rotational inertia, sliding into geosynchronous orbit thousands of kilometers above the planet.<ref name="waypoint"/>
Space elevators vary in size and shape, but they are all typically composed of the same raw material. Meshed together as a complex composite of intertwining nanofibers, these ingredients form a series of massive cords and rings several hundred meters wide. They bind to a grounded set of [[polycrete]] anchors larger than most buildings which hold the elevator's structure in place while the planet spins on its axis. The zenith of the elevator, commonly known as the "orbital" or "terminus" is then pulled taut by the planet's rotational inertia, sliding into geosynchronous orbit thousands of kilometers above the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}


The UNSC utilizes several designs of space elevators. Many space elevators, such as the Mombasa Tether, consist of a single central tether reaching into space, surrounded by additional strands and massive support rings. The lower part of the tether is surrounded by an additional support frame rising several hundred meters from ground level. The Quito Space Tether and [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science|Corbulo Academy]]'s space tether utilize a similar design.<ref name="fud">'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'''</ref> Harvest's high-capacity orbital elevator system, built in the early 26th century, consisted of seven separate strands of [[carbon nanofiber]], attached to the orbital station [[Tiara]].
The UNSC utilizes several designs of space elevators. Many space elevators, such as the Mombasa Tether, consist of a single central tether reaching into space, surrounded by additional strands and massive support rings. The lower part of the tether is surrounded by an additional support frame rising several hundred meters from ground level. The Quito Space Tether and [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science|Corbulo Academy]]'s space tether utilize a similar design.<ref name="fud">'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'''</ref> Harvest's high-capacity orbital elevator system, built in the early 26th century, consisted of seven separate strands of [[carbon nanofiber]], attached to the orbital station [[Tiara]].
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==History==
==History==
The earliest concepts of space elevator date back to the end of the 19th century. During the second half of the 20th century and the early 21st century, multiple concepts were proposed, but it was not until almost three hundred years later when the first space elevator would be built. The construction of the first space elevator, the [[Mombasa Tether]], began in [[2302]]. The cities with space elevators, "tether cities" as they came to be called, are often managed by second generation [[Dumb artificial intelligence|"dumb" AIs]]. As shown in [[New Mombasa]], space elevators have a significant impact to the importance and economy of the cities they are located in. The cities and their surroundings are usually full of warehouses, to store the massive amounts of cargo transported to and from orbit. As of 2552, Earth had six tether cities, each managed with the help of a [[Superintendent-class artificial intelligence|Superintendent-class AI]].<ref name="evg">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]],''' ''page 191''</ref><ref name="bnet">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3: ODST Field Guide, "Superintendent" entry'']</ref> Since the construction of Mombasa Tether, space elevators have come to fill number of functions in a variety of locations on Earth's colonies, ranging from transport of industrial or agricultural goods in the colonies to orbital personnel transport in military academies such as [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]].<ref name="fud"/>
The earliest concepts of space elevator date back to the end of the 19th century. During the second half of the 20th century and the early 21st century, multiple concepts were proposed, but it was not until almost three hundred years later when the first space elevator would be built. The construction of the first space elevator, the [[Mombasa Tether]], began in [[2302]]. The cities with space elevators, "tether cities" as they came to be called, are often managed by second generation [[Dumb artificial intelligence|"dumb" AIs]]. As shown in [[New Mombasa]], space elevators have a significant impact to the importance and economy of the cities they are located in. The cities and their surroundings are usually full of warehouses, to store the massive amounts of cargo transported to and from orbit. As of 2552, Earth had six tether cities, each managed with the help of a [[Superintendent-class artificial intelligence|Superintendent-class AI]].<ref name="evg">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]],''' ''page 191''</ref><ref name="bnet">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3: ODST Field Guide, "Superintendent" entry'']</ref> Since the construction of Mombasa Tether, space elevators have come to fill number of functions in a variety of locations on Earth's colonies, ranging from transport of industrial or agricultural goods in the colonies to orbital personnel transport in military academies such as [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]].{{Ref/Reuse|fud}}


==Safety==
==Safety==
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If the orbital counterweight is destroyed or the tether is cut near the top, the whole cable will fall, usually wrapping itself around the planet; a space elevator would be able to wrap itself around the Earth at least two times. This happened to Harvest's elevator system when [[Loki]] destroyed the [[Tiara]] station with a [[mass driver]]. The [[Centennial Orbital Elevator]] on Earth also collapsed due to the destruction of [[Station Wayward Rest]] on top of it.
If the orbital counterweight is destroyed or the tether is cut near the top, the whole cable will fall, usually wrapping itself around the planet; a space elevator would be able to wrap itself around the Earth at least two times. This happened to Harvest's elevator system when [[Loki]] destroyed the [[Tiara]] station with a [[mass driver]]. The [[Centennial Orbital Elevator]] on Earth also collapsed due to the destruction of [[Station Wayward Rest]] on top of it.


If the tether is cut halfway up, the upper portion will rise up and remain in orbit while the lower part will drape around the planet. The same will occur if the tether breaks quarter way up. In case the break occurs at or near the anchor point on the planet surface, the whole tether will rise upward and end up in an unstable orbit around the planet. New Mombasa's orbital elevator was cut several hundred meters above the ground anchor due to the damage caused to it by a [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] rupture backlash. Similarly, the space elevator of [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] was severed near the anchor by a [[SDV-class heavy corvette|Covenant corvette]]'s [[pulse laser turret|pulse laser]].<ref name="fud"/>
If the tether is cut halfway up, the upper portion will rise up and remain in orbit while the lower part will drape around the planet. The same will occur if the tether breaks quarter way up. In case the break occurs at or near the anchor point on the planet surface, the whole tether will rise upward and end up in an unstable orbit around the planet. New Mombasa's orbital elevator was cut several hundred meters above the ground anchor due to the damage caused to it by a [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] rupture backlash. Similarly, the space elevator of [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] was severed near the anchor by a [[SDV-class heavy corvette|Covenant corvette]]'s [[pulse laser turret|pulse laser]].{{Ref/Reuse|fud}}


Due to the safety concerns, tether cities are almost always designed with the possibility of a catastrophe in mind. The cities are often compartmentalized into multiple symmetrical sections, to minimize the death toll and property damage in case anything were to happen to the elevator.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Palace Hotel]]", ''page 366''</ref>
Due to the safety concerns, tether cities are almost always designed with the possibility of a catastrophe in mind. The cities are often compartmentalized into multiple symmetrical sections, to minimize the death toll and property damage in case anything were to happen to the elevator.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Palace Hotel]]", ''page 366''</ref>
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*[[Circinius IV]]
*[[Circinius IV]]
**A single space elevator at [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]]<ref name="fud"/>
**A single space elevator at [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]]{{Ref/Reuse|fud}}


*[[Earth]]
*[[Earth]]
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**[[Quito Space Tether]]
**[[Quito Space Tether]]
**[[Borneo Space Tether]]
**[[Borneo Space Tether]]
**One other unidentified space elevator<ref name="waypoint"/><ref name="bnet"/>
**One other unidentified space elevator{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}
**An elevator near [[Zanzibar Island]] (post-war)<ref>''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', multiplayer map [[Stonetown]]</ref>
**An elevator near [[Zanzibar Island]] (post-war)<ref>''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', multiplayer map [[Stonetown]]</ref>
**[[Luna]] has at least one elevator
**[[Luna]] has at least one elevator
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*[[Reach]]
*[[Reach]]
**A total of nine space elevators.<ref name="evg reach"/>
**A total of nine space elevators.{{Ref/Reuse|evg reach}}
**The [[Delphi Triple-Strand Network]] was three of the nine tethers clustered in a single area near [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]]<ref>'''[[:File:Reach E310 Firefight Beachhead03.jpg]]'''</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVTHwwCjKLk '''YouTube''': ''E3 2010 Firefight 2.0 Beachhead Gameplay '']</ref>
**The [[Delphi Triple-Strand Network]] was three of the nine tethers clustered in a single area near [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]]<ref>'''[[:File:Reach E310 Firefight Beachhead03.jpg]]'''</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVTHwwCjKLk '''YouTube''': ''E3 2010 Firefight 2.0 Beachhead Gameplay '']</ref>