space, space elevator, space tourism

New Scientist 6 june carries an interesting article about inflatable towers that could be used to reach the first 20km into space, (based on a 15km tower on top of a mountain). At 20km height, visibility can reach 600km, and it is as dark as space. So it would have potentially large tourism revenue prospects that would help offset costs for space launches. Given that most of the fuel in a rocket is used in the first part of the trip, just carrying the fuel to the next part, it would greatly reduce space flight costs.

The structure would be based on Kevlar-polyethylene composite tubes inflated with helium. Gyros and active stabilisation systems would keep the structure standing.

It is envisaged as an early alternative to the space elevator, and it would certainly help reduce the costs of the space elevator construction too.

Uses in communications are also envisaged. If two towers are erected, they would be able to see each other from 1000km, so multiple free-space optical links could be established as a rapid low cost alternative to putting in fibre.

Sports could also use such structures. Imagine being able to launch gliders, balloons, or even to space-dive from such an altitude. Perhaps even more far-fetched, imagine running an arial-glide cable from it! Or perhaps it is no more far-fetched than expecting people to pay millions to live on a space station for a few days, whihc of course is already history.

Who knows what unexpected benefits such technology might yield. Bring it on!