Why does a space elevator have to be tethered at the equator?

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Can’t you place a space elevator below or above the equator? The tether would leave the ground at an angle but it would be parallel to the centrifugal force from the planet’s spin.

In: Physics

10 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

If something orbits the earth it has to keep the center of the earth in the middle of the orbit. If it’s at the equator it can stay over the same latitude. If it is at the right distance it can stay over the same point.

If it’s going to be anywhere other than over the equator at any time it is going to have to be at a sloped angle compared to the Earth’s rotation. It will then go north and South like the Sun does in the sky but much faster.

If you are suggesting having the cable at an angle that could add a 1000 miles to it’s length and not only is that much harder but the orbit would be harder maintain.

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