The Lonely Geek

Scientist are proposing an Inflatable tower stabilized by gyroscopes.  They plan to build it in sections, each section is inflated and gyro stabilized, up to 15km tall.  Sounds interesting if a bit crazy.  And I don’t think you would find me going up this tower.  But, it could offer a way to get other technologies into place a little easier.  Imagine a nanotube rope or strand That is both guided from the ground using this technique, and from space using another.  They meet in the middle, and we have immediate energy and a cable that can be built on to make stronger over time.  Eventually this could become a form of space elevator.

Inflatable tower could climb to the edge of space – space – 08 June 2009 – New Scientist

Space Elevator, NewScientist, Inflatable