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Grab a plank or any other long, relatively firm object. Hold it straight out to your side. Now hold it straight up. Now you see why it is more far fetched. (Edit: actually, just try it with your own arm for 30 seconds or so)

Not only is it far harder, but it doesn't take much length before even quite solid objects will start bending massively and exerting far more stress. E.g. doesn't take more than 150kg or so before the steel weight bars at my gym has a noticeable bend.

We still do not have materials technology advanced enough for a regular space elevator. Trying build one where gravity is actively working in a direction where there's no support seems unlikely to help matters.



Surely.

I didn't necessarily mean a free-standing object that was anchored at only the base.

Another commenter pointed out a project very similar to what I was thinking: StarTram: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StarTram

It has supports and launches the vehicle using maglev; basically a big, tangential, spaceship cannon that launches into orbit using fixed structures.


Heinlein had a similar idea, which he described in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

http://www.quora.com/How-feasible-would-the-catapults-from-t...


The moon also has lower escape velocity than Earth. Lower lunar gravity makes every method of reaching orbit easier.


Looks similar to the "launch loop" concept.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_loop




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