Cody Eubanks Professor Wolcott English 1102 Oct.

22, 2012 Space Elevator: An Annotated Bibliography In attempt to convey and analyze a discussion within the field of aerospace engineering, this annotated bibliography compiles articles concerning the development, stability, and practicality of a space elevator. While the technological advancements crucial to the completion of such a structure have yet to all be accomplished, general hypothetical designs, and system proposals, intrigue engineering researchers to explore the benefits, practicality, and complications associated with such a device. In order to analyze internal discussions among aerospace related fields, this annotated bibliography attempts to reveal patterns surrounding the speakers on the topic of space elevation, the popular proposed systems of construction, and most importantly the appeal towards the improvement of component technology. The majority of the sources throughout this annotated bibliography are academic journals. This format provides established scientists and researchers a meeting place to discuss strategies for completion of such a complex system. Apart from promoting development of specific designs to achieve space elevator technology, academic journals also offer developers a commonplace to introduce improvements to space elevator design proposals, and analyze stagnant growth in component technologies imperative to the completion of such a structure. The sources featured in this bibliography are quite recent in publication, all but one post 1990s, and display the leaps of technological growth which have allowed for the once science fiction system to become a now feasible design.

Some sources of this annotated bibliography are fixated on the specific scientific knowledge and strategies utilized by authors to discuss space elevator technologies; however the aim of the text is to reveal the overpowering cost, military, and political benefits that tend to outshine the more pivotal lack of component technological innovation and development. It is these smaller individual systems and technologies which will ultimately make this dream a reality and therefore should be the focal point of development. Those reading this text are most likely curious on the current status of space exploration technology, but this bibliography will be most beneficial to those entering an engineering major, having interest in active development of component space elevator technology systems, such as carbon nanotube design or laser propulsion improvement. Avnet, M. "The Space Elevator in the Context of Current Space Exploration Policy." Space Policy 22.2 (2006): 133-39. Print. This article is interesting due to its attention to the financial and political issues associated with current space policy and funding. Not only does Avnet take a much more practical approach towards the timeframe of potential space elevator construction compared to other researchers, but he also provides various examples of underdeveloped components, as well a plan to build up component technologies, policy, and even economic funding. Towards those published in the space elevator discussion, this article serves as a reality check by addressing the current space policy facts. These include the lack of moral support from, not only individual governments, but also international organizations. Avnet is more than a dreamer in his field; he is a pragmatic researcher who is capable of analyzing the political and economic factors of a system rather than fixating on the stability and technology of a product. Overall this source is an outlier from the common discussion forums represented in this bibliography and

addresses many of the otherwise unanswered questions concerning finance and exploration policy. Clarke, Aurthur C. The Fountains of Paradise. New York: Bantam, 1978. This book is by far the oldest source among the included annotations; however its importance requires analysis and acknowledgment. In this 1970s science fiction novel, it is commonly agreed that, the idea of a space elevator was first published, and in many of the other annotations featured in this bibliography homage is paid to the author Clark for impressionable imagination. In the text the construction of a space elevator is being organized while alien terrorists attempt to destroy the device. The plot of this novel is unimportant, however recognition of its impact on scientists dreams is. The ideas this science fiction novel introduced have been thrown around by engineers and skeptics for over three decades, and now it seems that researchers and specialists agree the technologies to construct an elevator to space are well within current mans grasp. This novel, in conjunction with many of the other sources of this annotated bibliography, hypocritically treats space elevator technology as science fiction, and it is this attitude which is the core antagonist preventing development of such a device. Edwards, Bradley C. "THE SPACE ELEVATOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM." 55th International Astronautical Congress (2004) This article is written by perhaps the most respected man in the subject matter of space elevation. Bradley Edwards has been actively involved in space elevator design and development from the beginning. Hes has had the privilege to be funded by NASAs advanced concepts department, and has also started his own personal space elevator design company. In

the text of this article Edwards outlines the cost of a potential space elevator, presenting figures which show the total cost of the system to only consume five to ten percent of the total allotted annual funding for the national space industry. He also outlines numerous benefits associated with NASAs construction of a space elevator, promising exponential growth in both funding and exploration. This source also references Liftport, a company gathering public funds for development of high strength material for application in space elevator construction. These statistics and facts presented by Edwards urge NASA to jump on the opportunity to fund the space elevator project which he is presenting. Overall this source displays Edwards attempt to appeal to NASA development committee by listing sources displaying abundant public interest, as well as private industry alternatives. This article is an attempt to grab NASAs attention and get active in the space elevator research field, and is comparable to other articles featured in this bibliography appealing to political authorities in attempt to further component technology development. Edwards, Bradley. "White Paper - Military Applications of the Space Elevator." Fairmont, WV: Institute for Scientific Research, 2003. This article is written by Bradley Edwards who currently holds position as Director of Research for the Institute for Scientific Research (ISR), and name to a resume full of space design roles accompanied with a high expertise in the topic of space elevation. In the text of the article Edwards attempts to apply his ideas concerning space elevator development to national, as well as international military forces. In these efforts he plans to persuade high ranking military politicians to fund component technology development, and ultimately prolong his personal participation in the field of space elevation. Through explanation of benefits which a space elevator owning military possess, Edwards lays out a list of substantial promises the technology

would provide. These include an on-orbit storage of kinetic impact weapons or observation drones for fast global delivery, high-resolution 24/7 surveillance from GEO, narrow-band and pinpoint communications, spotlight illumination, control of global communications, and retrieval and repair of satellites. This source is heavily biased favoring the development of a space elevator because Edwards is economically reliant on the continuation of its research and development. While Edwards is bridging the gap between politics and science through his presentation of facts, he ignores many of the obvious struggles associated with space elevator construction in order to highlight the potential benefits of the structure. Relative to other articles, this text emphasized the good of space elevation while simply not addressing the bad, and it is this approach, taken on by many developers in the field, which is harmful towards the projects ultimate completion. Hutson, Stu. "Trading Rockets For Space Elevators." National Geographic News, 2005. The National Geographic foundation is world celebrated for its extensive knowledge in groundbreaking research, as well as its documentation of natural phenomenon. In this National Geographic article, Hutson focuses on the carbon nanotube component technology development efforts, along with the financial benefits associated with such advancements. This is a trillion-dollar moneymaker for a ten billion dollar investment, While the text is quite optimistic on the current development strategies of nanotube design and weaving, some of the figures presented, such as the possibility of a completed space elevator in 20 years, seem excessively hopeful. This source varies from others featured in this annotated bibliography because it is fixated on the discussion of a single component technology, being carbon nanotubes, and the application of the technology to a future space elevator design. This format helps to prevent complication

among content, and lays out specific target goals for investors and developers which must be achieved before the idea of a space elevator becomes a reality. Jason, Kent R. "Space Elevator as Alternative Access to Space." Blue Horizons (2007): 1-32. USAF. USAF. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. This article by Jason Kent, an officer in the USAF, offers insight into the benefits of managing the first space elevator. In this paper Kent has a clear and specific target audience, the head political figures of the United States Air Force, and by addressing these figures he plans to persuade them to fund the construction of the worlds first space elevator under leadership of the USAF. Kent appeals to his audience by first outlining the idea of a space elevator, followed by a description of the recent achievements in various component technologies, such as the weaving of carbon nanotubes, and the design of hybrid laser tracking mechanisms (to climb the carbon nanotube ribbon). This article is directly related to the policy focused issues, concerning a vastly militarized space, addressed by Avnet in his article The Space Elevator in the Context of Current Space Exploration Policy. In conclusion this article offers a winddow into the political debates often hidden behind the technological innovations and promises associated with the space elevator discussion. Kent, through the act of persuasion, informs readers in a positive, but defiantly bias manner, obviously favoring discussion of potential military benefits a space elevator would provide. Of the nine principles of war laid out in AFDD 1, three apply directly to the space elevator: mass, maneuver, and security. Knapman, John. "Stability of the Space Cable." Acta Astronautica 65.1-2 (2009): 123-30.Sciverse.com. Web. 9 Sept. 2012.

In this article, John Knapman, a respected space elevator researcher, analyzes the stability of a proposed space fountain. The idea of a space fountain is centered on the construction of an arch into Earths orbit in order to achieve cost efficient transportation of materials into space. While this idea is respected, a proper analysis of the systems stability has been missing until the completion of this paper. This article offers insight into the issues of the stability while deployment and anchoring of a space cable/elevator is completed. While the analysis of such a system is abstract and lacks the exactness needed to be considered a science, the conclusions made by Knapman further the development towards the completion of a space elevator through hypothetical situation, all of the while highlighting lacking in the component technologies necessary to construct such a device. Laine, Michael. Space Elevator Science-Climb to the Sky-A Tethered Tower. Kickstarter.com. Aug. 23 2012. Web. 09 Oct. 2012. This website source varies from the majority of other citations in this bibliography. On this webpage a recent campaign to fund a space elevator construction business, Liftport, was launched. Not only does this source provide applicable information to the space elevator development construction and methods, but it also emphasizes the public excitement and support of such a system. This public excitement can be observed through the amount of money funded by the public sector of more than ten times Liftports initial kickstarter goal of $8,000. So far Liftport has collected over $110,000 dollars in only a month of its online campaign, and plans to utilize these assets to research construction of a space elevator on the moon with current technologies. Features on this webpage include a short video explaining a potential structure which could be constructed with modern current systems and technology on the moon. This

plan, when coupled with the reputation the company before its falling out in 2007, builds public sector support for a space elevator to a new high. While this company does offer exciting potential for the space elevator industry, the public interest in such a structure is the core focus of this source. While many believe a space elevator to be too risky and costly to attempt, this Kickstarter program goes to show the true opinion of the public concerning the subject. Compared to other sources centered on the design and coupling of component technologies, this source converts funds into component materials which will one day prove to be crucial to space elevator completion. Lemley, Brad. "Going Up." Discover 25.7 (2004): 32-39. Academic Search Premier. Web. 09 Oct. 2012. In this article interviewer and author Brad Lemley discusses the development of the space elevator by outlining a conversation he has shared with Brad Edwards, a key advocate for space elevator technology and application. The structure of the article doesnt follow the genre conventions of the aerospace engineering community, however this is understandable because the nature of the paper is more fixated on entertainment, designed to inform readers not of the specific science and formulas associated with the structure, but rather introduce curious readers to the undeveloped technology through the actions of one of the most established researchers in the field. For those interested in future technologies, the aerospace industry, or even general engineering, this article provides a gateway into the understanding of such recent technology, and a chance to participate in said activity. Overall this article focuses on the discussion of underdeveloped component technologies, such as carbon nanotubes, and laser propulsion climbers.

Quine, B.M., R.K. Seth, and Z.H. Zhu. "A Free-standing Space Elevator Structure: A Practical Alternative to the Space Tether." Acta Astronautica 65.3-4 (2009): 365-75. Sciencedirect.com. Web. 9 Sept. 2012. In this article, discussion and comparison between two space orbital technologies is completed. The stance of the authors is bias towards the development of a free standing space elevator in opposition of continuation of space rocketry. Following a description of a possible space elevator which could be constructed with near technologies, the article explores the benefits of this new system over the construction of a space tether, and the continuation of dangerous and costly rocketry. Overall, this source offers insight into the discussion of debated technologies concerning the production of alternate means of space exploration. Relative to other sources, this article offers a specific solution to the foundational issues associated with the development of a space tether. In the text the design of a pneumatic system which could reach a practical height of 20 km is outlined. This article emphasizes the lack of specialized systems dedicated towards the construction of a space elevator, and due to these short comings in system component technologies, the designs presented cannot outline a space elevator system capable of reaching Earth's orbit. Swan, C., and P. Swan. "Why We Need a Space Elevator." Space Policy 22.2 (2006): 86-91. Print. This article focuses on addressing the core reasons constructing a space elevator should be considered. The author of the article, Cathy Swan, holds a PhD in Strategy and Policy from the University of California, as well as position of director at the Center of Arms Control and Technology Assessment. In her text Swan introduces the idea of a space elevator, followed by reasons to develop the technology necessary to construct one. These include the failure of chemical rocket engines to stimulate the space economy, the need to expand the human spirit,

potential for renewable energy sources, as well as military protection benefits. She goes on to discuss the current cost of payload delivery into space, and then compares these figures to the reduced costs the space elevator is expected to provide. Overall this article expresses the need to develop a vision in order to complete the daunting task of constructing the mega structure, which a space elevator would be. Swan emphasizes the need for technological development, and like many other researchers on the topic, fails to address the negative component technology lacking, in attempt to highlight the exciting and positive benefits constructing a space elevator would bring. Takeichi, Noboru. "Geostationary Station Keeping Control of a Space Elevator during Initial Cable Deployment." Acta Astronautica 70 (2012): 85-94. Ucf Onesearch. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. This article, a collaboration of accredited university professors, analyzes the stability, and dynamics of the deployment of a space cable/elevator. Similar to the works of Knapman, this article focuses on the optimization of stability, although the omission of key variables such as flexibility, and elasticity limits the model. Overall, the team of researchers working on this paper devised a deployment plan of a hypothetical space elevator, of which fuel mass and trust forces necessary for completion fall into feasible ranges for present electric propulsion systems. This is simply a theoretical design which calls for materials yet to be developed, and therefore should be considered ideal.