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Going Up?

Short answer: A space elevator is a theoretical structure carrying cargo and people to space on a cable anchored at the equator and extending past geostationary orbit, about 35,786 km (22,236 miles) up, to a counterweight.

Earth's rotation keeps the cable in tension, with the outward centrifugal effect balancing gravity. No known material is yet strong enough to build one. The footage, credited to tradzak, shows an animated ride up the cable.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Going Up??

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Equator.

    DD-503-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Anchor)

  2. Past 22,236 mi.

    DD-503-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Height)

Video transcript: Going Up?: A Space Elevator Would Run a Cable From Earth's Equator to Beyond Geostationary Orbit

[...] is a theoretical [...] and people [...] cable anchored [...] geostationary orbit, [...] 22,236 mi. up. [...] The concept relies [...] centrifugal force, [...] NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 22.9s Reel ·

Video coming soonGoing Up? · Instagram Reel
Going Up?: A Space Elevator Would Run a Cable From Earth's Equator to Beyond Geostationary Orbit Instagram Reel · · 22.9s

The write-up

A space elevator would run a cable from Earth's equator to beyond geostationary orbit. Spin would keep the cable taut.

  1. Exhibit A

    Anchor

    Equator.

  2. Exhibit B

    Height

    Past 22,236 mi.

  3. Exhibit C

    Tension

    Rotation.

  4. Exhibit D

    Counterweight

    Beyond GEO.

  5. Exhibit E

    Status

    Theoretical.

Questions people ask about Going Up?

Where anchored?

Spin.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Anchor) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

Geostationary altitude?

GEO.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Height) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

What keeps it taut?

Centrifugal.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Tension) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

Status?

Concept.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Counterweight) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

Main obstacle?

Cable.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Status) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Where anchored?

    1. Equator
    2. North Pole
    3. Mountain top
    4. Ocean floor only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Equator Spin. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Anchor) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

  2. Geostationary altitude?

    1. 22,236 mi
    2. 220 mi
    3. 2,000 mi
    4. 240,000 mi
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 22,236 mi GEO. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Height) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

  3. What keeps it taut?

    1. Rotation
    2. Wind
    3. Magnets
    4. Balloons
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Rotation Centrifugal. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Tension) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

  4. Status?

    1. Theoretical
    2. Built
    3. Abandoned ruin
    4. In use
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Theoretical Concept. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Counterweight) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

  5. Main obstacle?

    1. Material strength
    2. Cost of paint
    3. Birds
    4. Clouds
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Material strength Cable. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Status) · Wikipedia: Space elevator

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Going Up?." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-503, last updated Mar 3, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/going-up/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/going-up/ · Last updated

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