Any linear intertia lost by the teather from hauling mass into space will be canceled by the intertia gained from coming down (if they are equal of course). Once we get established in space it will be easier to get most raw materials from out there and what will be going up will be mostly people. If we start moving some polluting heavy industry (like steel production) to space we will probably be hauling more mass down than up.
Slashdot Mirror
Any linear intertia lost by the teather from hauling mass into space will be canceled by the intertia gained from coming down (if they are equal of course). Once we get established in space it will be easier to get most raw materials from out there and what will be going up will be mostly people. If we start moving some polluting heavy industry (like steel production) to space we will probably be hauling more mass down than up.