OK but the main difference here is that the counterweights are in a fixed orbit in space around the Eath and therefore they don't pull very much on the cable, they simply keep it in place.
If I understand correctly a space elevator on its own would still require a cable that could support its own weight below geostationary orbit.
But if you have two counterweights on opposite sides of the Earth, out in space, connected, then this is no longer an issue and a cable can be made of...
Thanks very much for the reply.
I was thinking the two space elevators would be exactly opposite from each other, on either ends of the Earth so that the effects of gravity and centrifugal force would be in equilibrium.
The cable would wrap around the Earth on the ground, not in the air and...
Hello
I am new to thinking about these kinds of things so please forgive me if what I suggest is pure nonsense LOL!
As I understand it the main problem with building the traditional model of a space elevator is a practical one based on the difficulty in manufacturing a cable made of...