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Water exists on the moon, scientists confirm

theguardian.com

1–10 of 19 posts

Re: Water exists on the moon, scientists confirm

#5
post #2

The water might be able to recycled instead of blasting it into space as rocket fuel if a [para-aramid or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre] lunar orbital elevator could be prioritized before the lunar cell phone network. #lunarproblems

The lack of regulation on the moon suggests that a cell phone network is more imminently useful relative to cost, compared to the usefulness to cost ratio of an orbital elevator.

Re: Water exists on the moon, scientists confirm

#6
post #2

The water might be able to recycled instead of blasting it into space as rocket fuel if a [para-aramid or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre] lunar orbital elevator could be prioritized before the lunar cell phone network. #lunarproblems

Orbital elevators are still science fiction at this point. There is no known material that can withstand the tensions required. Scientists think maybe carbon nanotube cables would be strong enough, but even then, good luck making a carbon nanotube cable that long.

Re: Water exists on the moon, scientists confirm

#9
post #6
post #2

The water might be able to recycled instead of blasting it into space as rocket fuel if a [para-aramid or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre] lunar orbital elevator could be prioritized before the lunar cell phone network. #lunarproblems

Orbital elevators are still science fiction at this point. There is no known material that can withstand the tensions required. Scientists think maybe carbon nanotube cables would be strong enough, but even then, good luck making a carbon nanotube cable that long.

That's the case for Earth. This would be on Luna, with about 1/6th of the gravity on Earth.

Re: Water exists on the moon, scientists confirm

#10
post #6
post #2

The water might be able to recycled instead of blasting it into space as rocket fuel if a [para-aramid or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre] lunar orbital elevator could be prioritized before the lunar cell phone network. #lunarproblems

Orbital elevators are still science fiction at this point. There is no known material that can withstand the tensions required. Scientists think maybe carbon nanotube cables would be strong enough, but even then, good luck making a carbon nanotube cable that long.

parent is speaking of a lunar orbital elevator. Given the gravity involved I doubt material would be the issue. Though there may be problems other then strength of the material - I think the moon's gravitational field is very irregular for example.
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