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Re: What would be the most significant thing to happen if a rope (or wire) tied the Earth and the Moon together?

by GotToBTru (Prior)
on Nov 13, 2015 at 16:46 UTC ( [id://1147675]=note: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??


in reply to What would be the most significant thing to happen if a rope (or wire) tied the Earth and the Moon together?

The one thing in favor of this scheme is the unequal distribution of mass in the Moon keeps one side always facing the Earth. But it does not stay over the same point on the Earth, so a physical connection would not be possible or even desirable.

The solution is to anchor a rope to the surface of the Moon, but cut it a few feet short of the distance to the Earth's surface. The Earth end of the rope can move freely as the Moon orbits. Then, when you want to get to the Moon without a rocket, you just need to grab the end of the rope as it goes by.

Dum Spiro Spero

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Re^2: What would be the most significant thing to happen if a rope (or wire) tied the Earth and the Moon together?
by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Nov 13, 2015 at 17:26 UTC

    Better yet. Attach it this end and leave the other end floating.

    That way you have a 27 day cycle in which to send things up the rope and they simply queue at the other end until the Moon comes around.

    You could even have multiple Earth-fixed cables; thus avoiding Earth-bound shipping costs of the Moon-bound cargo.

    I love queues! (After all, I'm English :)


    With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
    Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
    "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". I knew I was on the right track :)
    In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

      We Americans are more impatient, so I liked the idea that I could get in my private jet and fly to a convenient spot just ahead of the rope's path. No need to wait those pesky 27 days! But your multiple ropes idea is sheer genius.

      Dum Spiro Spero
      How long would that rope need to be in order to not just fall back down to earth? I.E. the crossing point between gravity and centripetal force

        See Space Elevator.


        With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
        Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
        "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". I knew I was on the right track :)
        In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

        Depends where it is anchored. If at equator, geostationary orbit is at 35,786km so zeroth-order approximation is twice that. If at a pole, it will always fall back to earth for lengths less than current lunar orbit (because there will be zero angular momentum).

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