Linear Cables

Stabilization and elevator cables on the launch loop are very long, and propagation delay is a big issue. In most systems people are familiar with, cables are short enough and forces change slowly enough that propagation delay is not a major issue. With a launch loop, forces can change rapidly (milliseconds) while the propagation delays are 10s of seconds.

For example, when an instantaneous force change is applied to one end of a very long cable, the end does not stretch a little, it moves, and keeps moving until the force has had time to propagate to a stationary attachment and back. For a 100km stabilization cable, and a 10km/s speed of sound, that can be 20 seconds, in which time many meters of cable moves.

note: Nanotube properties are controversial. The CTE simulation Prakash is used here, but other simulations differ wildly.