P3_3 30 Seconds To Mars

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to calculate the velocity and total forces on an elevator climber such that it is able to reach the surface of Mars from Earth in 30 seconds. We calculated that the total length of such a machine would be 7.15 · 1012 m, this is based on a 5.46 · 1010 m (0.36 AU) elevator which is believed to be the shortest distance to Mars [1]. The average velocity the climber required was found to be 6.06c and therefore physically impossible, despite this the forces acting on the ˙ climber should it have been possible were found to be 3.03 · 109 N