What is keeping us from anchoring a cable to Earth’s surface and tethering a platform in space?

Question

What is keeping us from anchoring a cable to Earth’s surface and tethering a platform in space?

In: 10077

Answer 1

Imagine flying a kite with an infinite amount of string. Eventually after letting the string out long enough, you can just set it on the ground and walk away because the weight of the string keeps it from climbing any higher. This is the problem in a nutshell. The weight and strength of the string. We cannot make a string light and strong enough to reach outerspace.