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Japan is All Set to Test World’s First Space Elevator

space elevator
Image Source: dazeddigital.com

The old fantasy story of the celestial castle has been the base of many famous sci-fi movies. In the past century, many scientists have also given their theories, on how a ladder can be placed between the earth and space. But, until now, nobody has come with a real plan for such an experiment.

Even with a low rate of success, the scientists from the Shizuoka University Japan, have announced that they are going to test a miniature elevator in the space, in the coming week. Japan is all set to send two tiny, 4-inch cubic satellites, to the International Space Station (ISS), with an H-2B rocket. The 2.4 inches elevator, will be contained in one of the satellites, and after, reaching into the orbit, the motors will power the satellites with a 33-foot steel cable. The elevator will then travel from one satellite to another through the cable, having a camera attached to it, that will record the whole experiment.

This experiment is going to be the first of its kind. Many scientists have thought of carrying out such experiments, but it is difficult to achieve the favourable conditions for one. First of all, no material has been found that is as strongest that can be used to build the elevator and the cable to hold the elevator throughout the travelling.

The geo station to launch the elevator must be nearby the equator of the earth, where the possibility of hurricanes and tornadoes is scarce. Also, the gravity and wind in the upper atmosphere can be a hurdle for such an experiment. If such experiment is succeeded, not only the astronauts but also tourists can go up in the space in the time of approximately eight days.