unfortunately, space elevator research has stalled due to a lot of issues with voltage differentials in the upper atmosphere. The last test I heard of of stretching a ribbon between the ground and leo, after it got about 5 miles long, it vaporized in a discharge, acting as a ground. not pretty.
On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 1:34 PM, Jed Rothwell <[email protected]> wrote: > If the space elevator people succeed the rest will be easy. I would include > the elevator advocates and experimentalists in the top ranks of those > promoting space travel. > > I don't know how much support NSS is giving elevators but they should be a > top priority. NASA, unfortunately, gave the elevator people the frozen boot > years ago, in favor of retro-design rockets. > > - Jed > >
