[ExI] Space Elevator

[Lee Corbin]

Keith wrote

> The unobtainium part of the space elevator is the cable.  There are
> persistent rumors that the University of Cambridge has demonstrated 20
> GPa nanotube yarn, the report has been expected to be published in
> science for a few months, but nothing has happened.  Even 20 GPa isn't
> strong enough, but it's getting there.

I've never looked into this or studied it at all.  But what about this?
Just as we launch today's spaceships from the bottom of a big
airliner or a B52, why not tether the lower end to the highest
flying dirigible we can find?  Cable still too heavy?

Lee