XPost: sci.space.policy, sci.physics   
   From: jfindley@cinci.nospam.rr.com   
      
   In article <3PmXC.238286$o43.191504@fx33.iad>,   
   jfmezei.spamnot@vaxination.ca says...   
   > Any elasticity in the cable means that when the initial break at   
   > geostationaly happens, the elasticity will pull cable down more than   
   > just gravity.  But that extra force will also result in the top most   
   > portion accelerating horizontally.  So it isn't clear that as the   
   > tension is released, the cable would "snake"   
      
   When a very long cable breaks, the end that broke starts accelerating   
   towards the end that's still fixed.  It's not going to stop moving when   
   the tension is gone due to inertia (i.e. objects in motion tend to stay   
   in motion unless acted upon by an external force).  That cable is going   
   to go into compression.  Guess what happens to a cable that you put into   
   compression?   
      
   Again, look at the papers written on the subject of the dynamics of a   
   broken space elevator.  It's not going to stay straight!   
      
   Jeff   
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