Alexander Hollins wrote:
The last test I heard of of stretching a ribbon between the ground and leo, after it got about 5 miles long . . .
I do not think anyone has tested such a long tether, and I am sure no one has tested between low earth orbit and the ground. That would be impossible, given how quickly the tether would move at the ground, or even the upper atmosphere. It would burn up, just the shuttle did when there was a problem with the heat shield.
I think you are confused with reports of a tether being used to generate power. Do you recall when this test was conducted? Edwards and Westling's book was published in 2003. - Jed
