I heard from my physics teacher that an elevator to space was in consideration and couldn't believe it. Once created, not only would it be cheaper to travel to space (no billion dollar rocket projects and whatnot), but sooner or later, for a price, the public could access the elevator. This is what he told me, and I found an article from popsci.com.

Space Elevator: Most of a rocket’s fuel is spent blasting through Earth’s thick atmosphere and out of the planetâ€s strong gravitational field. But here’s an alternate strategy for getting payloads up to space: Construct a 62,000-mile-long cable jutting straight out from the equator, hold it in place with centripetal force, then lift satellites and spacecraft out of the atmosphere with a giant freight elevator. One major hang-up: Cable strong enough to support the system does not yet exist, though it could be made from carbon nanotubes. Shown above is “The Climber” which will carry the payload. -John Macneill

For the complete article: http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation ... 8-09/going
Tell me if the link doesn't work!

So, with this in mind, what do you think of a "Space Elevator?"

I think, if it were to work, it won't happen for a decade, science and technology is a rapidly expanding field, though. I'm not sure I completely understand the centripetal force. It's sort of an out there idea, but if it were to work, it would save billions in the future, and possibly we would even learn more about space if it's so easily accessible. I don't know, though.

For those who don't know what centripetal force is, (I didn't, don't be ashamed!) the Wikiepedia is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centripetal_force!

EDIT: John Macneill's reporter can't spell "will" right, he or she typed "sill."

Well.. Seems quite interesting.
It would be awesome to go to the space without paying millions, even billions of dollars :o

And it might take some time to go through the elevator :D

Awesome!
Interesting story Terve.

Let's Elevate to Neptune! Yeah

Rofl :DDD

The earth is being polluted, and wars are being fought on it still. Why should we explore space when we can't even take care of our own planet? That's like being asked to take care of your friend's pet for the weekend after you've viciously beaten your own dog. We have much to learn still here on earth, there's no rush to go to space.

Woah, never really have thought about it like that..
Makes sense o.o

Well.. Maybe if we could take better care of the another planet? Do things the better this way around..

Oh well, we're humans, no chance of doing things better :DDD