The Canada-based space technology company Thoth Technology will be building a 12-mile high, 755-feet wide inflatable space elevator that promises to reduce the cost of getting to space by at least 30%.
The company has been granted a patent for the construction. It is to be supported by pneumatically pressurized cells filled with air or similar gas. Series of flywheels will act as compressors which could adjust pressure within each cell to compensate for any bending.
Astronauts would ascend to 20 km by electrical elevator, and from the top of the tower, space planes will launch in a single stage to orbit, returning to the top of the tower for refueling and reflight.
Thoth President and CEO, Caroline Roberts says:
Landing on a barge at sea level is a great demonstration, but landing at 12 miles above sea level will make space flight more like taking a passenger jet.
Via TechEBlog
