Architect Jordan William Hughes has created a conceptual design for a space elevator that would travel between an ocean-based spaceport and a multi-use space station.
Hughes developed the design for the space elevator ? which he believes would offer a more efficient alternative to traditional space travel ? based on existing research by physicists and engineers.
The space elevator proposes an alternative to traditional space travel
The proposed elevator would function by using a captured asteroid in geostationary orbit, which would act as the counterweight for an ocean-based spaceport. The two would then be connected by a robust tether that would be lowered to Earth from the asteroid.
This connection would allow for small drones to ascend and descend by climbing the tether, transporting both people and cargo between the sea-level spaceport and a space station situated more than 26,000 kilometres above Earth. A robust tether would connect an ocean-based spaceport to the space station
The spaceport, operating as an Earth-based anchor, was designed to sit on a moveable vessel to avoid hazardous weather conditions on Earth.
"My project aims to build upon all previous concepts to showcase the reality of what may be possible; a lightweight, movable space elevator that connects the ocean to the stars," Hughes told Dezeen.
"I wanted to design a project I myself would love to visit, something that can be efficient and sustainable, but also luxurious and extravagant&qu...