Posted by tourdemars to Technology at June 29, 2004 11:11 AM

Leading experts are meeting this week to take a longing look at the idea of a space elevator. The idea is a stretch, no doubt, with plenty of work to do before travelers have push-button, top floor access to space. For one, what’s needed, advocates explain, is a super-tough ribbon that does an about face in thinking. It hangs from the ground and falls into the sky -- thanks to the Earth’s spin and centripetal force.