That means, just to carry the cable into orbit, will take about 230 shuttle flights.
When a tug boat needs to get the very large rope to a ship at port it doesn't send the large rope up first. What it does is send up a small rope and once that reaches the ship it attaches a larger rope. When that reaches the ship it sends up a larger rope followed by the tow rope.
That's similar to how it could be done (and if I recall correctly that is the intention) with building the space elevator ribbon. Once the first ribbon is up they have a minimal strength elevator. Then a small, light weight elevator would be lowered down to lash together the individual strands. Each time making the ribbon X amount stronger.
182 - "When a tug boat needs to get the very large rope to a ship at port it doesn't send the large rope up first. What it does is send up a small rope and once that reaches the ship it attaches a larger rope. When that reaches the ship it sends up a larger rope followed by the tow rope."
I am very familiar with the procedure, having participated. So, just what size rope do you recommend to attach to pull the rope in Normandy, France to the rope in New York City?
That's similar to how it could be done (and if I recall correctly that is the intention) with building the space elevator ribbon. Once the first ribbon is up they have a minimal strength elevator. Then a small, light weight elevator would be lowered down to lash together the individual strands. Each time making the ribbon X amount stronger.
"Fish-tape to the stars!" :)
(Now where'd I leave that galactic stud-finder?)