Icee777

Icee777 OP t1_izl6gwo wrote

Reply to comment by strvgglecity in Phobos' orbit prevents a traditional geostationary space elevator on Mars, but it is possible instead to build a downward space elevator from Phobos itself by Icee777

Going in deep ocean in 15th century is comparable to going in deep space in 21st century. Most of the expeditions were lost and the first colonies barely survived. And they needed to wait for the next year (or even a few) for a supply mission. But they tried again and again till a meaningful foothold was established.

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Icee777 OP t1_izl0w3j wrote

Reply to comment by strvgglecity in Phobos' orbit prevents a traditional geostationary space elevator on Mars, but it is possible instead to build a downward space elevator from Phobos itself by Icee777

How much resources you needed to kikstart the American colonies which eventually grew into the most powerful nation now on Earth - the United States? ... a few expeditions in 16th and 17th centuries. I think we can spare that much to become a multiplanetary species.

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Icee777 OP t1_izkz838 wrote

Reply to comment by TelluricThread0 in Phobos' orbit prevents a traditional geostationary space elevator on Mars, but it is possible instead to build a downward space elevator from Phobos itself by Icee777

It makes sense once you have an industry large enough to move substantial amounts of mass to and from Mars. Space elevator saves energy. In the proposed form you need only 0.52 km/s of Delta-v to get from Mars' surface to the elevator. And on the other end of the elevator you can release (or catch when importing) that mass at 3.52 km/s of Delta-v. Of course, there will be some energy loss moving up and down the elevator, but you don't need the acceleration that a rocket launch demands.

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Icee777 OP t1_izkyhai wrote

Reply to comment by SixIsNotANumber in Phobos' orbit prevents a traditional geostationary space elevator on Mars, but it is possible instead to build a downward space elevator from Phobos itself by Icee777

It makes sense once you have an industry large enough to move substantial amounts of mass to and from Mars. Space elevator saves energy. In the proposed form you need only 0.52 km/s of Delta-v to get from Mars' surface to the elevator. And on the other end of the elevator you can release (or catch when importing) that mass at 3.52 km/s of Delta-v. Of course, there will be some energy loss moving up and down the elevator, but you don't need the acceleration that a rocket launch demands.

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Icee777 OP t1_izk3iit wrote

Reply to Phobos' orbit prevents a traditional geostationary space elevator on Mars, but it is possible instead to build a downward space elevator from Phobos itself by Icee777

Building a Martian space elevator would be complicated by the Martian moon Phobos, which is in a low orbit at ~6,028 km above the Martian surface and intersects the Equator regularly, thus getting in the way of a traditional geostationary space elevator. But there is an idea instead to build a space elevator from Phobos itself. More in the article linked.

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