On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 09:03:02 -0700, "Tim Ward"
wrote:
//
I dunno, but this seems as good a time as any to bring up a stupid,
complicated idea of mine for access to space.
///
somewhere around 100,000 lbs of Vectran tow rope (several tens of
kilometers) on the payout device. This is within the cargo capability of a
747
//
There, I feel better.

Tim Ward

Possible practical objection:
there is a limiting length of a line hanging freely downwards.
For the strongest engineering material per unit mass known it's
about 15 miles as I recall. That just to carry its own weight: thick
at the top, thin at the foot.

So less than 24 km. But you want it to tow a spaceplane
so that limiting length goes way shorter....

Feel free to correct this....

Brian W