Associated N.E.O. projects
The space elevator could be a very economical way to lift critical components to orbit for sorely needed energy resource projects, such as geostationary power sattelite stations. Japan has already commited funding to a orbital powersat development program. Although PV/solar cell arrays would be one potential approach to generate power, a lower-tech, less expensive but highly reliable alternative would be closed-cycle thermal systems, with flat-panel arrays heating a working fluid to drive turbines. Generated power would be 'beamed' to groundside via microwave transmission. Although at first glance a seemingly 'outre concept, we have already been employing sun-powered microwave transmission stations in orbit for over 40 years...we call them communication sattelites!
The elevator would also be instrumental in lifting the materials/components for the construction of orbital platforms and spacecraft; one such project could take advantage of the vast deep-space resources existing in what is popularly known as the asteroid belt, by building robotic platforms powered by an ion motor, carrying a number of small sampler probes to locate, survey and report back to mission control on the potential mineral resources existing there, with an eye towards harvesting them.
