Space Elevator

Japanese construction giant Obayashi announces plans to build Space Elevator by 2050, once the realm of science fiction.

Above: The space elevator will transport people and cargo at a fraction of the cost of Earth-based rockets.   Credit Obayashi Corporation

This space elevator is planed to reach a length of 96,000 kilometers (60,000 miles) into space, right above the earth.

Yoji Ishikawa, a research and development manager at Obayashi told ABC:

“It will take seven days to get there. A space elevator can now become a reality because of the development of carbon nanotechnology.

The tensile strength is almost a hundred times stronger than steel cable so it’s possible.”

Space Elevator -2

It may not be too long before the moon is the next must-see tourist destination. Credit Obayashi Corporation

via ubergizmo