Space elevators, once a staple of science fiction, are now being seriously considered as a means to transport materials and humans into space without the need for traditional rockets. The key challenge lies in developing a tether material with sufficient tensile strength to support the immense weight and stress of such a structure. Recent research has identified materials like single-crystal graphene, boron nitride nanotubes, and diamond nanothreads as promising candidates due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratios. For instance, single-crystal graphene has demonstrated a tensile strength of approximately 130 GPa, significantly surpassing that of steel. isec.org
In addition to material advancements, innovative designs are being proposed to overcome existing limitations. One such concept involves anchoring the elevator to the Moon, utilizing the Moon's lower gravity and rotational dynamics to reduce the required tether strength. This approach leverages the Moon's gravitational forces to create a stable structure extending from lunar orbit to Earth, potentially making the construction of a space elevator more feasible with current technology. technologyreview.com