While, of course, this is crazy awesome, it would be even better if Lasermotive was seriously working on space elevator technology instead of just using this as a proof of concept for their wireless power transmission technology.
Wireless power transmission _is_ a key technology for a space elevator. Also - they very reasonably want to get paid now, instead of 30-40 years from now: focusing on the building blocks makes a lot of business sense.
I shudder with the very thought.
The real answer is 'nobody knows': we can't say for certain until we know what material the cable will be made out of.
But simplistically, the bit below the break comes down and in, the bit above goes up and out.
We know the material for the cable will be light and strong, yet it won't be able to maintain integrity if it de-orbits: stuff is gonna burn up. The bits that don't, nearest the ground, will make a mess, but can be reeled back in.
Wireless power transmission _is_ a key technology for a space elevator. Also - they very reasonably want to get paid now, instead of 30-40 years from now: focusing on the building blocks makes a lot of business sense.
I shudder with the very thought.
The real answer is 'nobody knows': we can't say for certain until we know what material the cable will be made out of.
But simplistically, the bit below the break comes down and in, the bit above goes up and out.
We know the material for the cable will be light and strong, yet it won't be able to maintain integrity if it de-orbits: stuff is gonna burn up. The bits that don't, nearest the ground, will make a mess, but can be reeled back in.
So - messy, but not a disaster.