Soviet Space Elevator (1970)

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.reddit.com/r/RetroFuturism/comments/p2mhzo

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/RetroFuturism/comments/p2mhzo/a_soviet_space_elevator_tekhnika_molodezhi_1970/

 

[starviking]

https://www.reddit.com/r/RetroFuturism/comments/p2mhzo

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/RetroFuturism/comments/p2mhzo/a_soviet_space_elevator_tekhnika_molodezhi_1970/

Not sure it’s a space elevator as we understand it - more like a crazy platform elevated by compressed air - on a massive scale.

 

[Saber]

Yeah, it's an elevated platform for a space and radio telescope using air pressure.

 

[drejr]

It says "Elevator to Space" but yes, it predates the modern concept of the space elevator by a year. This is actually from a 1959 issue of Teknika Molodezhi.

It's a 160 km tower filled with helium. Hydrogen balloons would carry scientific equipment and cargo to the top.

 

[Richard N]

I wonder what would happen if you had a Hyperloop that ran to space and how fast could you go using the differential between ground atmospheric pressure and the vacuum of space? Could be a fuel free way of getting stuff to space.

 

[drejr]

I wonder what would happen if you had a Hyperloop that ran to space and how fast could you go using the differential between ground atmospheric pressure and the vacuum of space?

The speed of sound at most.

 

[Dilandu]

Not sure it’s a space elevator as we understand it - more like a crazy platform elevated by compressed air - on a massive scale.

It would be more correct to call it "dynamic exo-atmosphere tower". Its an example of "dynamic structures", that supported by constantly applying energy. They were quite popular in 1960s Soviet vision of the future.

 

[starviking]

Not sure it’s a space elevator as we understand it - more like a crazy platform elevated by compressed air - on a massive scale.

It would be more correct to call it "dynamic exo-atmosphere tower". Its an example of "dynamic structures", that supported by constantly applying energy. They were quite popular in 1960s Soviet vision of the future.

Thanks for the clarification. There are a lot of fascinating futuristic projects from that time - awesome in scope.

 

[Dilandu]

Thanks for the clarification. There are a lot of fascinating futuristic projects from that time - awesome in scope.

Yep. Still have a few futuristic books of 1960s, like "Na peredny kray smeloy mechty" ("On leading edge of bold dream"), that described "future" engineering and tech solutions as viewed at this time. Quite...educating)

 

[publiusr]

They did have rockets landing on ocean platforms…art wise that is—-have to give them that one.

 

[klem]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa_xteu_Mts

Indeed, the idea of the space lift has abounded in Russian literature since the 1960s and has been germinating ever since, as the subject is still relevant today.

 

[publiusr]

When I think of Russia…the first thing that comes to mind isn’t Stalin or Lenin…it isn’t ballet, or music or chess

it’s R-7

 

[klem]

Retrospective summary:Space Elevator

 

[klem]

See also the following references on the subject.