Exploring the Possibility of a Space Elevator: Nanotubes and the Future of Space Travel

The video discusses the concept of a space elevator, a cost-effective method to send payloads into space. Dr. Bradley Edwards proposes using a ribbon made of carbon nanotubes, which are stronger than steel, to support the elevator. The cable would be attached to a platform on the equator and could carry up to 13 tons. Edwards plans to launch sections of the cable into space using rockets, aiming for a more reliable system than traditional boosters. The development of the necessary carbon nanotube strength is expected to take about two more years.

What is the estimated width of the cable that would support the space elevator?

What is the payload capacity that the space elevator cable is expected to support?