Here's a crazy idea that was in the WSJ this week...

For many years people have dreamed about installing a rope or a line of some sort from earth into outer space. Why mess around with rockets and such if you could just climb a rope 23,000 miles or so? All you need is a really strong rope, attached to the earth and a heavy mass out in space. The rotation of the earth will keep the rope tight. Simple!

Well, there are a few minor problems. One is that a 23,000 mile long rope has great difficulty supporting its own weight. The strength to density ratio required for this is HUGE. No material that we know of is up to the task...until now. Enter Carbon Nanotubes. These little suckers are so strong and lightweight that people are considering the feasibility of stringing them together to create a line into space with a climbing elevator powered by laser light from earth.

Here are some links:

Info from NASA

How Stuff Works

More info

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