What If We Built an Elevator to Space?

Cosmo wonders if a space elevator would let people come and visit him in outer space. Students discover how an ordinary elevator uses pulleys and a motor to function. Cosmo then describes two different designs proposed for a space elevator. How tall will a space elevator need to be? What materials would be strong enough to withstand the weather in Earth’s atmosphere? Could we use a space elevator to make space exploration easier? And how much would a space elevator cost?

Topic: Pulleys and Gears

Cosmorriculum:

Describe the purposes of pulley systems and gear systems
Describe how rotary motion in one system or its components is transferred to another system or component in the same structure
Identify pulley systems and gear systems that are used in daily life, and explain the purpose and basic operation of each