[catholicfreeper]

Yeah I was just hoping the USA to control one. I guess we better start getting beeter relations with Countries like Panama or countries on the equator. The space elevator thing has really intrigued me when items are posted about it.

[Laz711]

You should read some of the Sci-Fi about space elevators. It turns third world hell holes into the ultimate superpower overnight because of all of the money, prestige, and control over space they have. If the US really wanted one, the territory of Guam is at 13N, may be close enough, just put it on top of Nimitz hill (allthough typhoons would be a problem.......maybe)

The engineering is not there yet to make a space elevator. Materials is one major issue, nothing yet known can stand the tension that it would require, allthough carbon nano tubes look promising. Also, the very act of building it will be the most difficult undertaking ever attempted by man, IMHO, and it will take years to get it done (red tape nightmare, I am sure).

[manwiththehands]

Space elevators are cool, I agree. But the space "tether" is even better and probably much more feasible.