Until someone invents an ‘anti-gravity’ machine, we will still be using powerful chemical rockets to get to space. Not very efficient, but it works.
Ion engines work and are very efficient, but they are not powerful enough to move an object off the Earth.
Various schemes have been envisioned to do just that, like the ‘Space Elevator’ and the ‘Rocket Plane’.
I’m sure Musk is looking for anything ‘new’ that could possibly replace the chemical rockets now in use................
Yes, that’s my point.
They claim this thing “works” ... OK, build one, put it in orbit, and show us.
IMO, “Space Elevator” is a rubbish idea. Rocket Plane is not nonsense, the Pegasus launch vehicle successfully puts a small payload into LEO every few years.