Would You Ride an Elevator to Space?

The concept of an elevator that moves from Earth to Space seems like something out a sci-fi movie, but it’s actually on the verge of becoming a reality.

Thanks to the development of mega-strong cables called carbon nanotubes, scientists are working to perfect the design of a 22 thousand mile-long elevator that would carry people and equipment from Earth to Space.

The elevator would be based somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, mounted on a moving platform, and stretch all the way up to the International Space Station.

While the idea sounds exciting, you may be thinking, “Why would we do it?” The answer is simple, an elevator would be more efficient than out current methods of space travel — rockets.

Rockets use massive amounts of fuel and money, but if we had the technology to build an elevator, the costs of travel would be much less. So, what does all this mean? Well, don’t start packing just yet, the finished elevator is still at least 40 years from completion — if it even gets off the ground, so to speak. Scientists are still in the very early stags of developing the technology and plans for the elevator, but it’s still a very cool concept.

Here’s the idea as told by a astrophysicist:

What do you think? Would you ride on the space elevator?

13 Comments

  1. I think this is a great idea for people who wnts to be safe in a trip, but WANTS to see the outer space. overall…….

    AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

  2. That’s a good idea, but how long would it take to get all the way to space in the elevator? Would it take hours, or would it shoot up there like a rocket in like four minuets? I really like the idea!

    • Good point. I would expect it to be a short time. Think of it as a giant elevator that stays in the earth’s atmosphere. I’m sure it would be close to that time.

    • It requires less force per distance traveled the higher you get up in the atmosphere, because there is less gravity and less air pressure. So it depends on where they put it.

  3. This may present problems like other countries wanting full control over it. How would we protect it? And like with every elevator, What would we do in the event of a power failure?

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