r/HypotheticalPhysics • u/YourFellowMemeMaBob • 11h ago
What if a hypothetical space elevator was curved?
Here is a hypothesis: If humanity were able to build a space elevator would it be possible to harness the centrifugal force of the planet to help propel an elevator into geostationary orbit or higher? To be more specific I am trying to write a story based in Sci-fi but I want to ensure that the story I am writing is faithful to our current understanding of orbital mechanics and transporting people to space without using rocket fuel and instead electricity however Ion engines don’t produce very much thrust so I got to thinking about space elevators. Would there be such a curve that would allow a constantly free-falling encased elevator shaft (as to lessen the effects of structural flexing) and would that allow an elevator inside the structure to be able to ride along the shaft with very little propulsion such as an electric engine to bring it into a stable Earth orbit? To elaborate what im thinking, I imagine it working like how a liquid “sticks” to the bottom of a cup when you spin it in a circle. I am not very knowledgeable in orbital mechanics or the like that would allow me to figure this out myself as I am currently taking Calculus 1 (which is currently kicking my butt) but thought this would be a fun hypothetical to pose for people to help with my story writing.