03. Examining Ultra-Thin Elastic Materials as a Means for Constructing Space Elevators

Abstract

Humans have been limited to using shuttles to travel to space since 1957. An alternative means for traveling to space can include space elevators, but they are right now only science fiction. Several newer materials exist with necessary properties to allow space elevators to become reality by providing a more reusable and cost effective way for humans to reach space. The current materials being used for basic construction on earth are insufficient for bridging the environments of earth and space. Newer materials like graphene and boron-nitride nanotubes are better for allowing buildings to be built into the cosmos. The Young’s moduli of graphene and boron-nitride are 1 TPa and 1.18 TPa respectively, which are both much higher than the 62.5GPa strength required for construction. The idea of this investigation is to examine how these materials make it possible to build space elevators and why graphene may be better suited for the job than boron-nitride. Space elevators give humanity an easier means for transporting people and technology into space. This can allow for future triumphs of exploration such as colonization and the further study of the universe we live in.

Keywords: Space Elevators, Young’s Modulus, Fracture Strength, Graphene, Boron Nitride Nanotubes