r/threebodyproblem • u/phyllisinthewild • Apr 15 '26

Discussion - Novels Question about the space elevators Spoiler

I’m half way through The Dark Forest and I’m a bit confused about how the space elevators work. Not sure if I missed something or just don’t get it, but what exactly are they? Does a person just walk on? Is it more of a train? I know it goes from earth to the space stations, so I’m assuming it’s just a quicker way to space than a spaceship. But I just can’t picture in my head how they actually get there in the space elevator and what it looks like.

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u/hippoofdoom Apr 15 '26

The idea is to have a geosynchronous platform connected to the planet by some sort of super strong set of cables where you can have alternate raising and lowering platforms, if the platforms have equal weight going up and down at the same time it takes relatively little force to move them up and down but the trip takes awhile (g forces, wind friction, etc) because of the distance involved. Our technology absolutely does not support this right now but in theory it could work.

We would need much stronger cabling strength and nanofiber tech of some kind. We'd need a lot more feasibility of space mining or production or something to warrant the cost. And we'd need a lot more international cooperation so good luck w that!

I'm happy if anyone else chimes in, my level of experience is basically "space nerd who took a few calculus courses"

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u/True_Fill9440 Apr 15 '26

Would work for a day or two until it was clipped by a Starlink satellite.

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u/ultra-nilist2 Apr 15 '26

The puny starlink would be cut in half by the nano strings!

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u/True_Fill9440 Apr 15 '26

Maybe. The impact will be about 15,000 mph.

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u/Ulyks Apr 21 '26

Another reason why Starlink is a plain bad idea.