] In two days of discussions, the scientists aim to turn
] into a reality an ambition that has been around for at
] least a century: the creation of a space elevator that
] would deliver satellites, spacecraft and even people
] thousands of kilometres into space along a vertical
] track.

this pops up every few months, but looks like it's getting closer to being realistic. of particular note, to me anyway, is the estimated cost of only 7 billion. That's a lot of cash, of course, but compare it with what the prez asked for last week (eighty-seven billion) and it's not too absurd.
And of course, if the 400-fold decrease in (presumably per pound of payload) cost is accurate, 7 billion should be recoupable in fairly short order.
Color me skeptical, but hopeful.

The cheap way to the stars - by escalator