According to this article the only real technical issue standing in the way of a Space Elevator is the quantity of carbon nanotubes that are being produced. This number is moving into the tons/year and only getting greater, so this guys says we can make a Space elevator for about 6 billion dollars in the next 15 years!!!
This thread is to discuss whether the time-frame and financial predictions are accurate, the overall safety of an earth-based space elevator, as well as if it’s worth it right now.
I would say that any estimates from people involved in the Space program require tweaking. Just look at the Space Station. This would cost a ton I am guessing, however, the return would be tremendous. The article suggests within 6 years of operation you could have double your money back. Maybe 10? What I am concerned about is what happens if the thing falls? They intend to put it in the Pacific, but in KSR’s “Mars” trilogy, the elvevator falls and wraps around the planet a couple of times destroying everything in it’s way. Could this happen? Can it be avoided?
I would have to say that this would be one of the greatest things humans have ever created. It would change the world. Humanity would finally be able to start communities on the Moon (I can’t wait to go visit “Moonhattan”), Mars, and the asteroids - finally taking some eggs over to some other baskets. Science (certain branches anyhow: cosmology, astronomy, etc.) could jump by leaps and bounds with cheap access to space. Once multiple elevators were up, things would change pretty quick. From the water to land to air to space: our evolution continues. . .
DaLovin’ Dj