MARS and back in 2 days...

[Steven Dufresne]

Nullifying the effect of gravity would go a long way towards getting off Earth. Cancelling the effect of inertia would also help since a small push from a rocket would result in a larger effect.
-Steve
http://rimstar.org

[exxcomm0n]

Nullifying the effect of gravity would go a long way towards getting off Earth.
<snip>

In that regard (since sci-fi is mentioned in the 1st post) why don't we use "beanstalks" to nullify the earths immediate gravitational effect?

A beanstalk is, very simplistically, an elevator to a satellite in geosynchronous orbit with an area on the earth,

I don't know which sci-fi author thgought of and wrote about the concept 1st, but it's in a host of novels since.

Heinlein and Niven seem to stick in my mind.

As for gravity and time, we do know how they immediately effect us, but it's a far place from actual total understanding of the effects.

An excellent topic though.

We need space travel since there are just too many of us for the planet to support.

[utilitarian]

In that regard (since sci-fi is mentioned in the 1st post) why don't we use "beanstalks" to nullify the earths immediate gravitational effect?

A beanstalk is, very simplistically, an elevator to a satellite in geosynchronous orbit with an area on the earth,

Actually, the idea of a space elevator has been explored.  The current problem is that there is not a material strong enough to make the elevator from.  Interestingly, scientists have figured out that we actually could put a space elevator on Mars, because gravity is lower there.

[Steven Dufresne]

In that regard (since sci-fi is mentioned in the 1st post) why don't we use "beanstalks" to nullify the earths immediate gravitational effect?

A beanstalk is, very simplistically, an elevator to a satellite in geosynchronous orbit with an area on the earth,

I don't know which sci-fi author thgought of and wrote about the concept 1st, but it's in a host of novels since.

Heinlein and Niven seem to stick in my mind.

Clarke with Fountains of Paradise, a good read. A russian, don't recall who, reportedly first came up with it though.
-Steve
http://rimstar.org

[exxcomm0n]

Actually, the idea of a space elevator has been explored.  The current problem is that there is not a material strong enough to make the elevator from.  Interestingly, scientists have figured out that we actually could put a space elevator on Mars, because gravity is lower there.

I looked it up and found a story that said they are hoping to use carbon nanotubes for tensile strength and weight concerns. It's being explored by NASA's 5-50yr. R&D dept.