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Space Elevator May Become Reality

Posted by michael on from the skyhook dept.

mojotek writes: "The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts has a study(15Mb pdf) about the feasibility of a "Space Elevator" comprised of a 22,000 mile long cable built out of carbon nanotubes. In theory, it would be able to carry loads of 20 tons to space without using a single rocket engine. Sounded way too sci-fi for my taste at first, but this article at TechTV actually helped fill in the holes."

5 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. hold up... by niekze · · Score: 5, Funny

    they want to have a 22,000Km cable to space, but I can't get DSL because I'm 2.3 miles away...

    Grrrr

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    1. Re:hold up... by tunah · · Score: 5, Funny

      Damn americans. Miles are *longer* than kilometres.

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  2. Okay,. who did that?! by Psiren · · Score: 5, Funny

    Trouble is, if someone farts in the elevator, it's a damn long wait before you can open the door... ;)

  3. Damn! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I guess this obsoletes my "space escalator" idea then, eh?

  4. Re:never will be safe by kilgore_47 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Besides, this "space elevator" would be a giant, provactive, easy target for terrorists.

    If we let that stop us, then the terrorists have already won!

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