Now that we have a space station why can't they just lower a rope to get up there?

Question

Now that we have a space station why can't they just lower a rope to get up there?

Answer 1

Because it is moving over the ground at 17,500 MPH. So the rope would be moving that fast as it passed you on the ground to grab on. But if the space station were in a MUCH higher orbit, geostationary orbit, then it would be stationary over 1 sot on the surface all the time and you COULD lower a rope and climb up. That is the idea behind the space elevator. The main problem is finding a strong enough rope. See the sources.

Answer 2

There's actually been talk of creating a "space elevator" with one end attached to a platform in the ocean and the other end attached to a satellite in geostationary orbit.  

There are problems, of course.  One is finding a material that's strong enough to make the cables.  Another is keeping the cables from vibrating.  

It's a great idea that's been around for quite awhile, and it would certainly make the cost of getting people and equipment into space VERY CHEAP, and thus open up a whole new era of space travel and exploration, hopefully from the private sector too (competition).

Answer 3

then how can you resist against the air pressure while your on your way?

Answer 4

the rope would have to be extremely resistant to withstand its own weight. No such rope exists yet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_eleva...

Answer 5

imagine driving a car in a circle.  Very fast.

Your question is like someone asking "Why cant a guy standing inside the circle just 'hop in' as the car goes by?"  If the car is going fast, you would get ge-splatted (german for killed by gross means).

Now picture the car traveling in a circle... around a Merry-Go-Round.  Speed that carousel up until the the horsies are even with the speeding car.  Now, open your door and step across.

The ISS is far too LOW of an orbit to match up with the rotating Earth below.  Higher up and it COULD drop a line (with more than a little luck) to the Earth.

Answer 6

No rope strong enough yet exists, and besides, the station would need to be in a geostationary orbit for it to work, or else the rope would just be dragging along the ground as the station orbited, at around 17,500 MPH. A rope made of continuous carbon fibers would theoretically be strong enough, but we can't yet make those in sufficient lengths. One day, perhaps, it will become possible.

Answer 7

It would also be moving 17,000 mph across the surface of the earth.  But if we hung it from a geosynchronous satellite it would get rid of that problem, and we're only left with trying to find a rope strong enough, like the poster above me mentioned.  Which is actually what they're trying to do with the space elevator idea.  Sometimes what sounds like a silly question is actually a good one with real applications.

Answer 8

This was a proposal made by Arthur C. Clarke years ago.

The only limitation would be that the satellite has to be in an orbit that matches the rotation of the earth.  That is pretty far away.  Further than the orbit of the space station.  And the "rope" would have to be of strength that currently exceeds anything known to man.

Answer 9

lower a rope from space or lower a rope to Earth? if it's the latter, then well A) the rope would burn in the Earth's atmosphere. B) the Earth is moving mega fast, which we really can't see so it'd be like climbing a moving subway train x 50. C) where's the rope coming from? the space station is a universal thing, even though for some reason America is conceited and will only let you know updates from Nasa (which is a USA thing). It was tooooooo expensive to make your own space station so all the nations came together to make it. (just saw a special on discovery channel last week)

d) I think the rope would freeze and break off b/c it's mega cold in space.

elaborate your question though so we can fully answer