Quote:
Originally Posted by Brett
When I read that article 20 tons is the load capacity of the beanstalk and the initial launch requirement to build the beanstalk, not the mass of the beanstalk when operational. The beanstalk proposed consists of two shuttle payloads plus extra material hauled up the cable over two-and-a half years from the full-scale high-tech industrial economy at the bottom. By the time it is robust enough to carry a 20-ton payload its total mass is hugely greater than 20 tons. So this is not something you can carry with you for landings.
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Um, the Midnight Sun shuttle masses 300 tons, and uses 130 tons of rocket fuel. Even if it is hugely greater, a beanstalk for transporting 1 ton=A guy in a spacesuit- would fit into _some_ spacecraft. At least SM+9 and above.