Going UP?

Space Elevator: High Hopes, Lofty Goals
By Leonard David. Senior Space Writer, SPACE.com

SANTA FE, New Mexico — No matter how you view it, a space elevator is a stretch not only of vision, but also of far-out materials and cutting-edge technology.

Putting in place a space elevator is complicated: Extend a super-strong ribbon from an Earth-situated platform at the equator out beyond geosynchronous orbit. Once in position, electric lifts clamped to the ribbon would truck spacecraft, science gear, as well as passenger-carrying modules into space.

What? Are you kidding??