Design Considerations of a Space Elevator Earth Port
This study report provides the International Space Elevator Consortium’s (ISEC) view of the Earth Port (formerly known as the Marine Node) of a Space Elevator system.
The rationale for a space elevator is described. In addition, the accepted assessment of the first Earth Port location is shown to be near the equator in the Pacific. Other locations are possible. The bottom line is that the space elevator will create a transportation infrastructure that will provide revolutionary access to space routinely, inexpensively, safely, daily, and with large payloads.
The Functional Requirements are presented to show a comprehensive enumeration of the various features and functions of the Earth Port. This section sets the stage for a broad spectrum of designs for future space elevators.
The main focus of the report is an in-depth description of the Earth Port deriving from the requirements discussed previously. There were many aspects within this section that intrigued the team. One continuing question was how comprehensive would the Floating Operations Platform need to become?
A possible organizational structure including staffing estimates is posed. The allocation of tasks among the people assigned to the Earth Port continually matured during the year-long study.
A notional “Day in the Life” of a crew member is included. It is hoped that this section will provide the designers with an insight into the daily work at the Earth Port and to consider the necessary human factors analyses.
The Earth Port development Roadmap is, which was developed during the 2014 year-long study, is recapped.
The report concludes:
Design and construction of the Earth Port will be a straightforward extension of today’s practices.
Operations at the Earth Port will leverage over a hundred years of combined experience.
Operation and maintenance costs appear to be reasonable.