Journal of Science Policy & Governance
​Volume 22, Issue 01 | March 6, 2023

Technology Assessment: International Opportunities and Technical Challenges for the Space Elevator

Christian Johnson
  1. RAND Corporation, Arlington, VA
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Corresponding author: acjohnso@rand.org ​
Keywords: space elevator; space policy ​
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG220107 ​

Executive Summary

The space elevator is a hypothetical concept for placing satellites in orbit around Earth that would result in dramatic cost savings over traditional rocket launches. The space elevator would work by placing a counterweight in space that is tethered to the Earth's surface and held in place by the centrifugal force of the Earth's rotation. Technical challenges, particularly those related to the tether material, have prevented a space elevator from getting past the design stage. Should future advances in materials science allow the space elevator to be built, consideration should be paid to the geopolitical influence that a real space elevator might have. Its unique combination of cost, wartime utility, and vulnerability mean that a peaceful consortium of nations working together should be considered as a potential management model.

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Background header image courtesy of Universe Today
Christian Johnson is an Associate Information Scientist with the RAND Corporation. His work focuses on the analysis and development of artificial intelligence, space technologies, and mathematical methods for public policy. He received his PhD in physics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and his bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 
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Acknowledgements 
The author would like to thank Edward Parker, Scott Harold, Chad Ohlandt, Bonnie Triezenberg, and David Kipping for helpful comments and suggestions in the preparation of this paper.

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