抄録
As a first step in the development of a space elevator, we focused on the stratospheric platform that would be used as a relay station of communication and high-resolution earth observation base at 2030 km altitude. We propose a new system for connecting the platform to the ground by a tether that would allow the payload to be transported by a climber moving along the tether. We call this system a stratospheric elevator. The result of our initial study of the system showed that we can build a stratospheric elevator using currently available materials and technology. The total tether system, including a 200 kg payload and a 200 kg climber, would weigh about 5 tons with considering the effect of the high-speed airstream when we built the system at 24 km altitude, and a airship of about 230 m length could sustain the total system.
