A space elevator is a proposed type of space transportation system. Like its name implies, is basically an elevator designed to ascend all the way through the atmosphere and into space.
Its main component is a ribbon-like cable (also called a tether) anchored to the surface and extending into space. It is designed to permit vehicle transport along the cable from a planetary surface, such as the Earth's, directly into space or orbit, without the use of large rockets.
The key concept behind the space elevator was first introduced in 1895 by Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky who was inspired by the construction of the Eiffel Tower from Paris, France.
The system is also referred as the orbital elevator, Jacob's Ladder and Beanstalk in several old science fiction stories. The related concepts are the space fountain, orbital ring, skyhook, space necklace and rotovator.
