Geostationary... I think that's right.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"DSK" wrote in message
...
We're talking space elevator!


"Joe" wrote
How long will the cable need to be Jon to lift and anchor a 2000 lb
payload?
And how strong?

Capt. JG wrote:
I believe the space end needs to be in geosynchronous orbit.


Geosynchronous or geostationary? That's a very high orbit, about 22,000
miles up. IIRC The Space Shuttle can only reach that altitude with about
1/4 payload, it's more efficient to build rockets to launch geosynchronous
satellites.

Anyway, the weight doesn't go away just because it's tied to a rock in
outer space. The space elevator still needs power to lift... a common
misconception that it doesn't. But it could be much more efficient than a
rocket or shuttle.

DSK