depending on who does the defining. A functional space elevator would destabilize the oligarchies/cartels currently controlling energy and raw materials. Without the funds from these activities, political power would shift dramatically. Easy escape from Earth's gravity well would make possible affordable egress from repressive regimes for purposes of off-planet colonization, and the virtually unlimited resources would make mass exodus more viable. Now tell me there aren't current groups that would see that as nefarious?
Also, if my length of string is infinite, and it's unbreakable, I ought to be able to build an entire geostationary orbital ring, not just a single tower. Judicious tying off of the string at various anchoring points should enable me to stabilize it. I need the rock at the beginning to be the first endpoint, but after that I need an expert in cat's cradles. |
