It's not quite going to work like that. I's pretty much like an elevator, with no shaft, just a really long cable. The "car" will lift itself up the cable while the cable stay stationary. So the only threat of disaster from an airlock failure would be the "loss" of anyone on board. but, if it's as I susspect, the car itself will not be preassurized, it makes the car lighter and safer. Any living matter that needs to stay preassureized would likely wear a suit or be in a preassurized container within the car itself.Serge said:1- If they ever manage to do actually build it, I see at couple of issues that I find concerning: At +60,000 miles, in the void of space, what would happen if air locks failed? Air from the ground would be sucked right out into space.... Maybe I am a bit fatalist, but it is food for thought.
Most of this research is by private companies looking to make a significant return on investment. If they can make this successful without running into any major blocks (they already have FAA approval) they stand to make a LARGE amount of money.2- Instead of wasting millions/billions on stuff like that, they should invest all that "play money" in scientific research for alternative energy sources. Anything based on petroleum based is bound to run dry one day. Then what? We all go back to horse and buggies?? Batteries are still too inefficient, in my mind, and electricity, for recharges, is not cheap.
We're not as far off as you might think...A lot of people have grand ideas of developing/producing Star Trek technologies, but we are a long way from having anti matter engines or anti gravity propulsion systems.