A reverse lunar space elevator can extend from the lunar surface beyond the Earth-Moon L1 point
the verdict
CONTESTED
contested - the weight sits with the supporting side
refutedsupported
the weight of evidence
2 sources for · 0 against
Peer-reviewed literature discusses the concept of a lunar space elevator connected to the Earth-Moon system, but the provided sources do not confirm that it extends beyond the L1 point.
Abstract
This article presents the concept that space elevators will enable the opening up of the Earth–Moon ecosphere. When low-cost access to space (<$100/kg) is available, the opportunities for commercial enterprise explode. The ability to lift 14 metric tons of payload daily from each of 6 space elevators expands “to GEO” capability by 100× with routine safe liftoffs. This concept will leverage the “space option” and ensure that commercial space not only enables enterprises beyond low Earth orbit, but also stimulates STEM education, ensures high-technology jobs, and kick-starts economic growth—all on Earth.
The Greater Earth Lunar Power Station (GE -LPS) is a multi-purpose concept that aims to solve several critical issues related to lunar development and terrestrial energy production. As the GE -LPS concept and its energy production functions may be scaled to any dimension, larger versions could be positioned in Earth orbit to provide clean solar energy for terrestrial purposes and thereby reduce the mass needed to be launched from Earth to build SPS units by 80% or more. The construction of the GE -LPS from mostly lunar materials requires the establishment of industrial-scale automated mining and manufacturing processes on the Moon. A key technology is a Lunar Space Elevator (LSE) deployed as a transportation system to move SPS components from an anchor point on the surface of the Moon to a docking and assembly station at Earth-Moon Lagrange point 1 (EM-L1). Significantly, a LSE could be built today with existing tether materials such as Dyneema or Zylon which are already commercially available. Additionally, lunar sourced basalt fibre may be sufficient for reinforcing and extending the LSE once it becomes operational. An Earth-pointing LSE could become a valuable cislunar infrastructure asset – “the Suez Canal of cislunar space” – linking the Earth and Moon economies. Note: The ‘O’ symbol is an ancient European symbol for planet Earth: it is used here to mean “Greater Earth”, a region defined by the Earth’s gravitational field, which includes the Moon. Keywords: Solar Power Satellite, Lunar ISRU, Lunar Space Elevator, Energy, Europe
Everything we examined (2)
This check searched the claim as stated. It did not run a separate search for evidence against it.