A private company is launching a space tether
"A thermos-flask-sized satellite that will ride up and down a 1-kilometre-long tether in space, like a skier in a gondola lift, is set to launch on 17 April."
http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn11466-inspector-gadget-to-star-in-space-tether-test.html
This kind of short, orbital tether may prove to be more practical (if less convenient) than a full ground-to-orbit space elevator.
The article describes the tether-climbing satellite as taking a week to climb 1 km, for an average speed of 0.0016 meters per second. Starclimber did 0.5 meters per second in sunlight:) But these guys carry more sensors and radio gear.
http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn11466-inspector-gadget-to-star-in-space-tether-test.html
This kind of short, orbital tether may prove to be more practical (if less convenient) than a full ground-to-orbit space elevator.
The article describes the tether-climbing satellite as taking a week to climb 1 km, for an average speed of 0.0016 meters per second. Starclimber did 0.5 meters per second in sunlight:) But these guys carry more sensors and radio gear.