space elevator

the benefits

for years scientists and engineers toyed with the idea of a space elevator that would allow people to transport cargo from earth to the moon at fraction of the cost (as well environmental cost) of launching rockets. whoever to build the space elevator first would reap vast economical benefits. 

1. companies would clamour to use the space elevator to send satellites and other cargo into space at low prices. it would be cheaper to send, maintain, and repair satellites.

2. colonizing the moon, planets, and satellites in a cheaper and more wide-scale way.

3. companies would like to build large-scale manufacturing facilities in zero-g at affordable prices. 

4. space tourism at more affordable prices.

5. able to send materials into space that would harness solar power.

these benefits would transform the global economy, much like (or even surpassing) the effects of the industrial revolution.

the structure

material: the discovery of carbon naotubes in 1991 finally made the space elevator seem possible.  carbon nanotubes can be up to 100 times stronger than steel and as flexible as plastic.

                         

 

every space elevator design so far has these basic components:

a really heavy counterweight (asteroid?)
strong, light, flexible carbon nanotube cable (so far, we can make carbon nanotubes that are only 30 cm long)

so far, japan's obayashi corporation plans to make a space elevator by 2050, but these plans are tentative.