orbital tower n.
a structure linking a planet, moon, etc., with a space station or satellite which is in stationary orbit around it; cf. skyhook n. 4
Science
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1975
If a physical connection could be made between the geostationary satellite and the ground, it would allow vertical ascent by powered capsules up this ‘orbital tower’ directly into geostationary orbit.
in Acta Astron. 2 785 -
1979
Arthur C. Clarke
Whatever problems might still lie ahead, no one doubted now that the Orbital Tower was an idea whose time had come.
Fountains of Paradise 157
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1979
Arthur C. Clarke
For the very first time the construction of the proposed Orbital Tower gives us a chance of establishing fixed observatories in the ionosphere.
Fountains of Paradise 160
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1979
Arthur C. Clarke
At last we can build the Space Elevator—or the Orbital Tower, as I prefer to call it. For in a sense it is a tower, rising clear through the atmosphere, and far, far beyond…
Fountains of Paradise 51
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1992
Frederik Pohl
It was Artsutanov who proposed that if one were to position a satellite in geostationary orbit right over a planet’s equator, and hang a cable thirty-six thousand kilometres long from it, the whole lash-up would amount to an ‘orbital tower’.
Mining Oort (1993) 6
Research requirements
antedating 1975
Earliest cite
J. Pearson 'Acta Astron.'
Research History
Added to the OED in September 2004, as a sub-entry of "orbital"
Last modified 2021-09-24 17:00:57
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.