From: reply1600@merlyn.demon.co.uk.invalid   
      
   In rec.arts.sf.science message , Tue,   
   23 Aug 2016 01:33:08, Greg Goss  posted:   
      
   >Sergio  wrote:   
   >   
   >>On 8/20/2016 1:37 PM, Robert Clark wrote:   
   >>> Next stop: the space elevator.   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >>space elevator is a total joke,   
   >>      electric elevator? how much do the copper cables weigh ?   
   >The elevator cars could contain batteries.  A traction climb is so   
   >much more efficient than anything else that carrying your power source   
   >isn't a big problem.   
      
   An elevator goes to GSO, height and velocity.   
      
   To get to GSO height and velocity currently requires a two-stage rocket,   
   with the most (more or less) energetic type of fuel, and it does not   
   lift fuel past the point where that fuel is used.   
      
   Chemical batteries contain much less energy per unit of mass.  They are   
   incapable of doing the job, even if used in turn and dropped when   
   discharged.  Molecular distortion batteries might serve, but have the   
   disadvantage of being fictional.   
      
   For a degree of confirmation, read the 'rescue' part of "The Fountains   
   of Paradise" by ACC.   
      
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