Japan plans ‘space elevator’ by 2050

Thu, 02/23/2012 - 13:28 — Anonymous by CNNGo staffGoing up -- next stop,
zero-gravity. How would you like to spend a week in an elevator? No, this
isn't David Blaine's latest stunt to survive seven days of Muzak, it's
a plan by one Japanese company to put space onto every traveler's bucket
list. The 36,000-kilometer high, 200-kph lift will be ready by 2050,
according to Obayashi Corporation, and will take passengers a tenth of the
way to the moon. For travelers, it could mean bragging rights over those who
opt for alternative space tourism ventures such as Virgin Galactic and Space
Expedition Curacao, both of which offer sub-orbital flights up to 100
kilometers, well short of Obayashi Corp's 36,000-kilometer high.       
    Also on CNNGo: Tokyo to London in 90 minutes, via spaceread more