A ribbon nearly one hundred million times long and wide promises to lift you several meters up. Would anyone put their life at stake and try for it? Is not this notion of climbing ribbon with your body weight sounds really dangerous?
International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) presented a new report that suggests they have discovered a ribbon similar to the above mentioned ribbon. The ribbon would be able to hold almost seven 20 ton payloads. It will work as a tether extending far beyond geostationary and will hold nearly two million kilograms. The opportunity to send this much heavy payload would certainly change the human relationship with space. Can you think of any space shuttle that could send this much of heavy load to space after every few days?
The scientist presented a 350 page long report based on the detail of this device which scientists named as space elevator. The author has also mentioned the total cost amount for the development of a space elevator that is $20,000. However, the exact amount depends upon the quantity of the load.
The geostationary orbit is basically useful for satellites, but it can also be utilized for Earth-assisted launches. The Earth assisted launches is a mission to Mars in which scientist will use small rockets to set out the top of the tether. It will surely cut the enormous amount of money spend on the fuel. Introducing a base on the Moon or Mars would be comparatively insignificant with a space elevator in place.
Generally, the government pays billions for the set up of infrastructure in space. Therefore, any private sector could invest a little amount of money in this space elevator. A space elevator is definitely significant for scientists, telecom, militaries and the Earth notorious resource sector.