(Jordin Kare) wrote in message . ..
The basic design is a 100,000 km by 1-meter by 1-micron-thick ribbon of
carbon-nanotube composite fibers, mass around 80 tons, with a 20 ton
load capacity. The "climbers" use simple friction drive (treads clamped
around the ribbon) to go up the ribbon at 200 km/hr, taking about a week
to reach GEO.

In the reports I have read, the designs always call for a ribbon of
carbon nanotubes. Why a ribbon, and not a cylindrical cable? Would a
ribbon be stronger, or easier for the climbers to climb, or what?