Space Elevator

[casstony]

If they don't consider failure and give it their best shot they'll probably achieve the goal. It would be nice to see nations excited by and focusing on grand projects rather than destructive wars.

[LewisM]

Indeed TOny - wish we would all cooperate and finally get off this rock and explore others - ourselves, not vicariously through robots.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Maybe not so far fetched after all ..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...s-reality.html

Another technology breakthrough but it's going to be a big long diamond ring ...

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by PeterEde

I would think at the poles would be better. If built at the equator the mass of any object moving up is going to have a massive effect the higher it goes. While at the pole there would be rotational movement but little linear movement to cause drag.
thinking like a helicopter towing a flag. It lags behind due to forward motion. A mass moving up a tower is going to cause the same problem

It needs to be at the equator to hold it in place by the rotational speed. If at the pole, the structure has to support its own wait. This is also why it has to extend beyond the termination point to act as a counterbalance. The "station" is roughly half way along the elevator if I remember the mechanics of it.

[Neil]

G'day everyone, I believe this can be done, will be done, but it will take international corporate co-operation, and as any corporation worth its salt will tell you profits drive ambition and achievement of great ideas.