Re: starship-design: Going Up? Space Elevator: Next Stop, Earth Orbit

[rmarlin@network-one.com (Gene & James Marlin)]

> Since nanotubes are (as i recall) electricly conductive,

It depends on the arrangement of carbon atoms in the tube. The "Barber Pole"
arrangement is semiconducting.

As I understand it, the more common arrangement is not such a good
conductor.

> Very true.  It would be a spectacular lightnight rod, and >could cause
arcing
> up to the orbit.

Because it is linear and therefore "sharp", and has a high surface area, a
coronal discharge seems more likely.

Gene