| ManusJustus said: A space elevator would be amazing and our current technology out of reach, but I thought a space elevator was any tower that shot things into space (am I wrong?) For isntance, a large runway to build up speed before it hits a large tower that puts it in orbit. Maybe thats a space cannon. |
I believe you're describing a 'space hook' or whatever the term is. As I understand it (from memory) you have:
a - Space Elevator - probably a ribbon of carbon nanotube running from ground level to orbit and beyond (counterweight I think requires the elevator to end way above the Earth, far past geosynchronous orbit. You use treads, lasers, magnetic levitation or whatever to drive elevators up and down the ribbon. They can stop in orbit, or continue out to the end of the ribbon where you probably launch spaceships for other planets (nearly a free launch)
b - Space Hook or Sky Hook - a line or tether of some kind lowered into atmosphere from orbit. Cargo is launched from ground or delivered y plane (?) and caught by the hook then towed into space.
Try to be reasonable... its easier than you think...
