International Space Elevator Consortium

One of the more exciting potential applications of nanoscience is the space elevator/shaft concept. This technological innovation could reduce dramatically the cost of sending payloads into space. Carbon molecules can be configured in a way to make possible the manufacture of super strong and light ribbon. This ribbon can be “dropped” from space to Earth (or to any celestial body) to form a tether between the celestial mass and an artificial counterweight in space. Special vehicles are now being designed to clamp onto and “climb” each side of the ribbon, powered below by laser light converted into electricity.