Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Why we need a space elevator

2006; Elsevier BV; Volume: 22; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.spacepol.2006.02.008

1879-338X

Cathy Swan, Peter A. Swan,

Administrative Law and Governance

The goals of and vision for development of a space elevator have been discussed repeatedly. However, why we should develop one has been glossed over. This paper will focus upon the major issue—why build a space elevator infrastructure? It considers why we need a space elevator, what missions it would enable and how far it would reduce costs. There is no doubt that some major missions would be enhanced or significantly enabled by a space elevator infrastructure. Global communications, energy, monitoring of the Earth, global/national security, planetary defense, and exploration beyond low-Earth orbit are a few examples. In the end, if we are serious about extending space development and avoiding limitations on the human spirit, the reason we should build a space elevator is because we must!