The Second Apocalypse
Miscellaneous Chatter => The Forum of Interesting Things => Topic started by: Garet Jax on August 19, 2015, 03:30:07 pm
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http://www.space.com/30272-space-elevator-inflatable-concept-patent.html
Interesting... Leave it to the Canadians.
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Not sure why, but "Thoft" makes me laugh. Also, I love the artist rendering of the top of the elevator with THOFT written in huge letters, you know, for all the people passing by.
30% decrease in fuel cost is a big deal, and something like this would make simpler tasks, like refueling and resupplying the ISS less cost prohibitive, and indeed the rest of space related activities. Pretty cool.
I do honestly wonder how non-specific the patent is, which is difficult to tell since I didnt see a link to it on the article anywhere and I'm far to lazy to go looking it up.
As always, the comments section is humanity at its finest. Take an article about a patent on Space.com and turn it into a political debate about terrorism and economics. Classic!
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I think the patent is probably for concept only because at the moment as far as I am aware we don't have the material with the strength required for the base of the tower without making the damn think into an Olympus Mons.
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http://www.space.com/30272-space-elevator-inflatable-concept-patent.html
Interesting... Leave it to the Canadians.
Canadians know how to get high.