Among the proposed solutions, the dream of building a "space elevator" stands out as a long-desired means of transportation to space, eliminating the need for rockets. Despite the engineering and political challenges that have historically hindered this concept, innovative solutions have emerged, including the idea of creating a continuous line from Earth to Earth’s orbit, extending to the Moon. This new approach requires fewer rockets than traditional methods, as the rockets would only need to reach the end of the suspended line, greatly reducing fuel consumption.
By 2040, this concept could become a reality, allowing for the transportation of humans and cargo from Earth to the Moon via this "connecting line," which would provide significant fuel savings and radically change the dynamics of space exploration. The first base for this line would be located near the Moon's South Pole, where several lunar bases will be established to take advantage of the near-constant sunlight and frozen water resources.
What sets this project apart is that it’s not just for corporations or nations; the elevator is being constructed as a shared resource, governed by laws established by non-governmental organizations such as "For All Kinds of Moon" and "Open Moon." The line would be anchored to the "Lagrange" point "L1" on the Moon, a gravitational balance point between Earth and the Moon, making it an ideal location for space depots and ports.
The project will also incorporate several technological advancements, including solar-powered ion engines, which will allow for more cost-effective and in-depth space exploration. Historically, the concept of space elevators was first proposed in 1895 by the Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, and in 2018, the first test of the idea took place with the "STARS-Me" project, which connected two satellites with an 11-meter cable.
In the near future, as the "Artemis" missions to the Moon begin, the "connecting line" will play a key role in making space travel accessible to everyone, opening the door to scientific breakthroughs and significant transformations in how we explore the universe. This progress is expected to facilitate the relocation of Earth’s most polluting industries, such as data centers, to space, where they can be run more efficiently using solar energy.