We human beings from long ago
That you want to go to the universe freely
I had that kind of desire
In the past, rather than the universe
Although it may be better to say the sky
The old “Tower of Babel”
“Jack and the beanstalk” It is everyone you know
It is a story to reach heaven
Currently developed science and technology
We are now able to go to space by rockets
However, only a few people can go to that universe
Only limited people
If that is it for the general public
If it came to be able to go to space cheaply
Such a time is near.
If you visit in the future
Today I would like to introduce to you how to do that
That way is called a “space elevator”
So what is the universe elevator
It is like this
How is it?
It may be a bit different from what you imagined
When I say the elevator the tower is standing
I think that the box is rising there though
As it is impossible to stand the tower as far as universe
In case of space elevator
Extend the cable from the station in orbit and attach it to the ground
Follow that cable ascend and descend by elevator called “climber”
It will be something like that
Although various methods are considered for this elevator
What we are currently studying is
That’s the way that chews the wheels in the cable and goes up ascending
This climber itself is roughly about the size of one bullet train
The speed is about 2,300 kilometers per hour or so, about the Shinkansen
It is currently thought that about it
On the composition of this space elevator
Let’s take a closer look
Although it is a cable
The cable connects the ground with a “station” located in a stationary orbit
This will be the basis
A geostationary orbit is an orbit with an altitude of 36,000 km on the equatorial plane
Broadcasting satellite is flying orbit
The stationary orbit is
Because it is circling in a form that matches the rotation of the earth
It seems that it is always stationary as seen from the ground
So there is nothing to be lost if you tie it there
However, if this is the only one, the attraction is stronger as a whole
This station will fall.
In order to prevent it from falling down outside this station
It’s an “anchor” weight
We do it with a weight and pull it up by centrifugal force
That will be necessary
For that reason the cable as a whole will be very long, about 100,000 kilometers
If we say 100,000 kilometers this is about a quarter of the distance to the moon
It’s very long, is not it
As long as this is a long cable
If it is material up to now it will be cut by your own weight
Therefore, it seemed like “Space elevator is impossible” though
However
25 years ago
A new material called “carbon nanotube” was invented in Japan
Carbon nanotubes are
Carbon is bound by a very strong force
It is a tubular shape
The diameter of the tube ranges from several to tens of nanometers
One nanometer is one millionth of a millimeter though
This carbon nanotube is about half the weight of aluminum
Its strength has more than 100 times the strength of steel
If you can make cables for space elevators with these light and strong materials
It will not expire even with a length of 100,000 km
Inventions of such new materials
Then there is also the development of science and technology
About 20 years ago
The moment that “I can not do space elevator” is increasing
Then, if you can do this space elevator
It is what exactly is good though
The rocket which is used now is
Once you bring your luggage, it is over and it’s disposable, is not it
However, once the space elevator is completed
You can ship your luggage as many times as you want along the cable
Therefore, the cost per transportation becomes very low
About rocket chemical rocket
It is said that it will be about one hundredth of the rocket so far
About how much to be about one hundredth
For example, a person goes alone until a low trajectory
It is supposed to be able to go about a million yen
Well, if it says one million yen it is feeling a bit luxurious overseas travel
I think that it is the amount of money that even an ordinary person can reach
In this way, as the cost becomes lower
Making a new factory in the universe and making a hospital
So I made a new product using the space environment
I do new treatment and even
Even if you make entertainment facilities or make a hotel
You will be able to get enough profitable
So in various fields
It will become extremely expansive
So how much does it cost to make a space elevator? However
According to estimates of NASA and major construction companies
Construction period is about 10 to 20 years
And the development cost is estimated to be around 10 trillion yen from several trillion yen
Let’s see this Shin Tōnen currently under construction
Shin Tōji is about 25 years in construction period to open all lines
And it is said that total construction cost is about 7 trillion yen
To make this one space elevator
You can say that this is about to make one new road
That means that it is not an astronomical figure
Although it is such a space elevator
Of course, full-scale research has begun
It’s only about 20 years ago. It’s been less than 20 years old
Therefore, even though the carbon nanotube just mentioned was invented
There is no technology yet to cable it while maintaining its strength
There are also many other technical issues to overcome
It is such a situation though
From what we can do now, including our group
I am trying to verify the technology of various space elevators
Although it is a very important cable to make space elevator
How does this move and how does it force
Although this is very important for design
This is done by computer simulation
I understand gradually what is going on
Even though it is part of the climber that carries luggage
About this
There is a place called “Japan Space Elevator Association”, which is held every year
What kind of structure should be made through this
What kind of control should I do? I am trying something like that
Although this one is a video of the Space Elevator Competition
(Male 1: Elevation starts)
This is the state of our climb at Shizuoka University going up and down
I think how you will understand how to rise
(Male 2: Oh, you do not have to be OK Not good)
(Male 2: Stopped)
Through such a competition
I understand gradually the direction of design
Also, when you actually see such a competition
“Space elevator is going up in this way”
I think that I can imagine
Further development at our Shizuoka University
Last year it was launched with H – Ⅱ rocket
The satellite “Hagoromo” is also a part of checking the technology
“Hagoromoru” is that this is a heavenly woman
It is the so-called Hagoromo legend that goes up to heaven by Hagoromo
It will be the name given by this
Although I think that the familiarity of the Hagoromi legend to Shizuoka people is deep
As for what this satellite is supposed to do
When I made the space elevator earlier
I think that I should say that I have to extend the cable on orbit
I will extend the cable on that orbit
About this size of about 10 cm 20 cm in size that can be made at university
It is such an attempt to try with a small satellite
This satellite is currently orbiting and towards the main experiment
We are currently doing adjustment on such things like communication
Furthermore, satellites after this are also under development
The next satellite is a big satellite that is a bit bigger than 50 centimeters wide
Extend a longer tether and this time along that tether
How the climber moves on orbit
It is a satellite to check this
This maybe be launched after a few years
In this way space elevator
R & D is gradually spreading
When we say the space elevator
Although it has often been drawn from ancient times in animation and SF
I also had a longing for the space elevator as a result of that influence
However, in the space elevator such SF or animation
It was drawn as technology after hundreds of years
Actually it is decades ago
Everyone thought that way
Initially I also entered the course of research
Even though I long for my space elevator
As a research it seems quite difficult
I thought that it was not realistic
However
I was interested in the new transport system of the universe
“Ion Engine” which became famous now by Hayabusa
Then it is called “space tether”
Although I’ve been researching such a new system forever
“Space tether” is a “string” that connects space ships to each other
Even this tether itself can transport without using a rocket
Actually the cable of the space elevator This is exactly this tether
It will be a part of the tether
I am doing research on the space elevator now
On that topic I’ve been working on this tether for a long time
Knowledge and experience are very useful
Although I was not conscious at the time I started research
Study that started when I thought it would be interesting at the time
I am familiar with such research as the space elevator I was longing for
In a sense this feels a little destiny
Everyone is casually working now
Then what I am studying is realizing bigger things in the future
It may be connected to you
Although it is a space elevator
Although it is not an impossible technology anymore
Of course there are many different challenges to overcome
Furthermore, the space elevator is a huge business that is very big and requires international cooperation
In order to complete it
Not only technical aspects but law, economy, politics
Because various things are involved
A person who can solve them becomes necessary
We are studying the space elevator Toward realization of that dream now
I’m doing various research to build that foundation
Perhaps now middle-aged people, including me
I think that you will see the realization of the space elevator
However, young people
Young people see completion of space elevator
There is plenty of possibility to see such completion
Moreover, whether it can realize the space elevator is
Those young people
It is dependent on the success in a wide field in the future
Currently it is difficult times to chase a dream very easily
The development of mankind is
Once – people have drawn
I have made progress by realizing my dreams
It is now, is not it
Not only a specific person but anyone can freely move to space
I am in an era where there is such a possibility
Then, what kind of world will it become if such space elevator can be made
Let’s peek a little bit
how is it?
Would you be excited if you think that such a world will come
I definitely like this kind of space elevator
Dream technology Take an interest in this
Although it may still be science fiction (SF) now
We will make it science fact (SF)
People with such a spirit follow us
I hope young people get up and growing
I wish for that.
(applause)
”
Be First to Comment