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