If only this were going to happen.
Science list ping (a subset of the evolution list). FReepmail me to be added or dropped.
It won't, because it can't.
I've read miles of this stuff, and there's one factor that no one has taken into account, and it's a killer.
They can't build a space elevator, because it will be ripped apart by the torsional stress from the tidal forces.
For giggles, let's assume they somehow manage to hang one of these suckers into the sky, and, they somehow manage to stick an "elevator cab" on the top of it. (OK, not the "top" top, but the geo-sync altitude "top" portion.)
What happens when they lower the cab?
Picture an ice skater, spinning on one toe, arms spread out.
Then imagine the ice skater pulling in her arms.
Now picture that ice skater being 40 thousand miles tall. :)
The horizontal velocity of that cab -- at geo-sync altitude -- will be staggering, and even though it's "undetectable" at altitude, when you lower the cab, it will be like trying to contain a cannonball with a spiderweb.
Someday. Just wish I was born after warp drive (or whatever it will be called) was invented. Or had a 500 year lifespan :) Still lots of exciting space science going on every day!
"Too Soon From The Caves, Too Far From The Stars" Title of a Ray Bradbury collection of essays.
A space elevator is a ridiculous idea. I will NEVER work. Now, a space escalator...Ahh. That's a very reasonable idea.