How does a space elevator counterweight stay in line with the surface?

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From what I’ve read so far, a space elevator’s counterweight must extend beyond geostationary orbit in order to keep tension on the tether. If you’re higher than GEO, your orbital period will be longer than a day, so how is the counterweight kept stationary when it’s higher than GEO?

In: Physics

8 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

The counterweight isn’t in orbit – it is tethered to the Earth.

It would stay there the same way the rock on the end of a string stays extended when you whirl it around your head

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