Sorry if it's the wrong place to post, but i am feverish nowadays and unwilling to think too much. I also did a bit of forum browsing, but couldn't find my answer; so i created this brand new thread.

So my question is: is there any pre requisite for building the space elevator (apart from having the corresponding tech)? In my last game, i was able to build it in York (my commerce city), but not in Hastings, my production city. That was kind of weird. I was compelled not to build it; anyway, i won a suprising diplomating win a couple of turn later.

Part of the answer my be that York had aluminium in its radius. However, York was linked to Hastings... I don't know.

Sorry if it's the wrong place to post, but i am feverish nowadays and unwilling to think too much. I also did a bit of forum browsing, but couldn't find my answer; so i created this brand new thread.

So my question is: is there any pre requisite for building the space elevator (apart from having the corresponding tech)? In my last game, i was able to build it in York (my commerce city), but not in Hastings, my production city. That was kind of weird. I was compelled not to build it; anyway, i won a suprising diplomating win a couple of turn later.

Part of the answer my be that York had aluminium in its radius. However, York was linked to Hastings... I don't know.

The city must be above/below 30 degrees latitude, so not too far north or south on the map.

The space elevator must be built near the equator. It is limited to 30 degrees latiturde, N or S, I believe.

ok thanks. That was listed as a bug in an old thread, so i wasn't sure that was still the case with the 1.52 patch.

Hmm, wonder if it's possible for map to not have a usable spot anywhere along 30 degrees maybe an ocean/poorly positioned mountains combo...

It's actually not a bug...it would be physically impossible to build a space elevator anywhere other than right at the equator. In the game they have to give more leniency, since you have to construct it in a city. :)

it would be physically impossible to build a space elevator anywhere other than right at the equator.
Okay I'll bite.
Why would it be physically impossible? :confused: Magnetics? Axis shift?

Okay I'll bite.
Why would it be physically impossible? :confused: Magnetics? Axis shift?
Latitude gnomes. Jeez, don't you know anything?

The cable going up must remain straight, as the earth is tilted, anywhere but the equator would result an angled cabled, which would not work (it would pull the erm, station thingy at the top, up and down).

The cable going up must remain straight, as the earth is tilted, anywhere but the equator would result an angled cabled, which would not work (it would pull the erm, station thingy at the top, up and down).
Don't listen to this Lief guy! He's clearly working with the Latitude Gnomes!

I r no gnome luvver :/

I find it kinda unfair because if you have an empire thats too far north or south on the map it can be a real *****

And in some cases i've only JUST managed to build it when i was really far south but a north city came to the rescue

The space elevator must relate to the axis of rotation in the same way a rope must if you are spinning it above your head. Unless you're from Texas, theres no way to spin the rope at an angle above or below perpendicular to the axis of the rotation. The space elevator uses essentially the same principle: it relies on centrifugal force to counteract gravity. If the elevator is not near the equator, the direction of gravity's pull will not be the exact opposite of the pull from centrifugal force, and so the elevator would 'fall over.'

The main reason the space elevator hasn't already been built is that science has not yet created a material strong (and light) enough in the sort of lengths that are needed. A space elevator isn't a panacea, though, and its possible that by the time the material is availible (probably some sort of nanotubes), a better delivery mechanism will already exist.

Okay I'll bite.
Why would it be physically impossible? :confused: Magnetics? Axis shift?

The only place where the top anchor could remain exactly stationary reletive to the bottom anchor's position on earth. If an object is above the equater and at the right elevation(for it's weight) it will remain in the same position above the planet. Any other position would require the use of propulsion to constantly correct it's position. The cable itself does not necessarily need to be straight. In fact, that may even be an impossibility.(truely straight as opposed to very close)

To put it simply, any orbit above the Earth forms what's called a "great circle," formed by cutting a plane through a sphere's center. The circle has to be centered on the force producing the movement (in this case, the force of gravity at the center of the earth). Great circles can be at any angle. Aircraft follow tilted great circles when flying (giving the curvy patterns on maps), as do satellites above the earth.

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/images/eps-gif/SmallGreatCircles_700.gif

For a space elevator to operate, its orbit would need to always be directly above the anchor point at all times -- a geosynchronous orbit. The only possible orbit that does this is around the equator: as the object orbits the earth, the anchor rotates underneath it at the same rate. All geosynchronous satellites orbit here, and space elevators (or later space ring) would also circle here.

Of course, in real life you'd build the anchor point on an ocean platform somewhere, but since everything's constructed in cities in Civ, you have to have some more leeway. :)

I remember building a polar space elevator in SMAC, I thought it was pretty amusing.

Back to op, is there a way to tell in the game if a city lies between -30 and 30 latitude?
I remember once losing the space race cause my production cities couldn't build the elevator.

All geosynchronous satellites orbit here, and space elevators (or later space ring) would also circle here.

Of course, in real life you'd build the anchor point on an ocean platform somewhere, but since everything's constructed in cities in Civ, you have to have some leeway. :)


That actually isn't completely true - all geostationary satellites orbit the equator, but geosyncrhonous satellites aren't restricted to being on the equator. The space elevator woudl have to be on the equator because the oscillations experienced by non-geostationary geosyncrhonous orbits wouldn't be acceptable.

Aircraft follow tilted great circles when flying (giving the curvy patterns on maps), as do satellites above the earth.

Just so. A little added detail, of no game significance: Satellites are constrained to great-circle type paths by orbital mechanics; long-distance aircraft could fly anywhere but generally follow great circle routes because they're the shortest, and so fastest and most fuel-efficient, routes.