Submission + - Space Elevator idea - rev 2.0 - why not twist the concept a bit (spaceelevator.com) 1
bmullan writes: ""I am aware of many people having looked at implementation of a "Space Elevator" concept tied to the Earth and reaching to a counter-balanced, geo-synchronized base station in orbit.
However, the earth's gravity and especially atmospheric conditions create huge engineering problems.
WHAT IF... the concept were done from the Moon's perspective?
There are estimates of enormous mineral deposits on the Moon. There is NO atmosphere and less gravity. If a Space Elevator were anchored to the Moon and extended 3/4 of the way to Earth then minerals could be mined there, shipped up via the Space Elevator, picked up at the end-point way-station by earth launched spacecraft/barges which then deliver the minerals to Earth.
This would save enormous amounts of time/fuel etc and provide Earth with a vast new repository of mineral wealth that could eleviate alot of Environmental destruction here on Earth where we all live?
Has anyone thought of this approach?"
However, the earth's gravity and especially atmospheric conditions create huge engineering problems.
WHAT IF... the concept were done from the Moon's perspective?
There are estimates of enormous mineral deposits on the Moon. There is NO atmosphere and less gravity. If a Space Elevator were anchored to the Moon and extended 3/4 of the way to Earth then minerals could be mined there, shipped up via the Space Elevator, picked up at the end-point way-station by earth launched spacecraft/barges which then deliver the minerals to Earth.
This would save enormous amounts of time/fuel etc and provide Earth with a vast new repository of mineral wealth that could eleviate alot of Environmental destruction here on Earth where we all live?
Has anyone thought of this approach?"