http://www.space.com/businesstechnol..._020327-1.html
How cool would it be if they developed something like this in the near future? The resulting boom in space travel and tourism would be a huge kick to the economy, a huge renewal in interest in space would occur, and shortly after, there would probably be men (and women
) on Mars. Also, one must look at the current fleet of space shuttles. One has already been destroyed (Challenger) in a tragic accident more than a decade ago. Now, the other four are showing the signs of over 20 years of flying back and forth from space. Soon, we'll need one of two things to continue space exploration. A new fleet of shuttles, or a space elevator. A space elevator is so much more efficent, and once the initial costs are paid, much cheaper. The technology is here, we just need to build it.