Obayashi Corp. based in Tokyo, unveiled a project to build a gigantic elevator to travel to space as early as 2050. The elevator will transport passengers to a station 36,000 kilometers above the Earth.
The company would utilize carbon nanotubes, which are 20 times stronger than steel, to produce cables for the space elevator.
The cable would be stretched up to 96,000 kilometers (one-fourth of the distance between the Earth and the moon). One end of the cable would be anchored at a spaceport on the ground, while the other would be fitted with a counterweight.
The car could carry up to 30 people to the station at 200 kilometers per hour (a 7-1/2 day trip to reach the station).
“At this moment, we cannot estimate the cost for the project. However, we’ll try to make steady progress so that it won’t end just up as simply a dream” an Obayashi official said.
via gizmodo
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