12. If engineers build an elevator to go into space and come back down to Earth, how would it be able to go up that high without wobbling and breaking? What would it be made of? Wouldn't airplanes, meteors, or space debris run into it? (A K2S Question)

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The ribbon for the elevator will actually be hanging down from space. The ribbon will be very tight so there will be very little wobbling. Because of the length and weight the ribbon will need to be very strong, many times stronger than steel. It will be made of carbon nanotubes— the strongest material ever made. Some debris, the smallest pieces, will hit the ribbon but it can survive these. Airplanes will be directed to stay away from the ribbon and the ribbon will be moved to avoid the largest debris.

Answer provided by Bradley C. Edwards, Ph.D.


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


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