Design Considerations for a Software Space Elevator Simulator
Detailed computer simulations of the space elevator will be essential during its design, construction and operational phases. Within the context of these phases, this study enumerated 14 use cases which the simulation software must address, ranging from 3D dynamics and electrodynamics calculations of space elevator motion, to the effects of payload capture and release at various points along the tether, to the effects of friction arising from the interaction of the space elevator climber with the tether. Proceeding from these use cases, requirements were imposed on the software design and an outline for its development was sketched.
A central part of the design is a general math and physics platform which can perform the many calculations required. The study team reviewed seven such platforms and chose Mathematica as the one most likely to meet the needs of the simulation. To maintain an open-source option, SageMath was chosen as an alternative math/physics platform. Applications specific to the space elevator simulation will be built on top of these platforms.
The simulation software must be developed using modern, best programming practices, and employing Model-View-Controller (MVC) design so that all but a few of the many details of particular space elevator applications are hidden from the user. The simulation must also be modular and flexible enough to evolve with the changing needs of its users.
Finally, the software must be made available to a variety of users through various distributed computing technologies such as the cloud. Security issues must be addressed throughout the design and implementation of the software and maintenance will require periodic upgrades and regular testing.
The major findings of this study are:
A software space elevator simulator should be developed.
It should be based on Mathematica and SageMath.
It should be professionally developed and maintained.
Its development should be funded by a crowd-funding campaign.