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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: Would aerographite be suitable for making vacuum airships?
« on: 18/09/2014 12:53:20 »
The issue is what material is capable of withstanding what pressure difference? The same argument is true of descending to the bottom of the Marianas Trench, most materials would buckle under the pressure? So is there a material for the balloon that could survive and stay "afloat" at say 100,000 feet for example? Or survive at ground level on Mars? The former might be useful for "low orbit" geostationary satellites maybe? Also if you have a little helium in the structure but heat it up is that feasible?
As regards defying gravity to get to orbit (space elevator) how about building a pyramid out of simple groups of hollow tubes and a ball with sockets in it, one above, many below. Scale it up and you should get a structure that supports its own weight a bit like the Eiffel Tower (yes I am a Lego fan!!).
As regards defying gravity to get to orbit (space elevator) how about building a pyramid out of simple groups of hollow tubes and a ball with sockets in it, one above, many below. Scale it up and you should get a structure that supports its own weight a bit like the Eiffel Tower (yes I am a Lego fan!!).