# Going Up? (DD-503)

> A space elevator is a theoretical structure carrying cargo and people to space on a cable anchored at the equator and extending past geostationary orbit, about 35,786 km (22,236 miles) up, to a counterweight. Earth's rotation keeps the cable in tension, with the outward centrifugal effect balancing gravity. No known material is yet strong enough to build one. The footage, credited to tradzak, shows an animated ride up the cable.

- Department: Space (also Tech)
- First published: 2025-03-03
- Last updated: 2025-03-03
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/going-up/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-503-F01**: Equator. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Anchor))_
- **DD-503-F02**: Past 22,236 mi. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Height))_

## Write-up

A space elevator would run a cable from Earth's equator to beyond geostationary orbit. Spin would keep the cable taut.

1. **Anchor**: Equator.
2. **Height**: Past 22,236 mi.
3. **Tension**: Rotation.
4. **Counterweight**: Beyond GEO.
5. **Status**: Theoretical.

## Related case files

- [It IS Rocket Science (DD-257)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/it-is-rocket-science/): I linked more space

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Going Up?: A Space Elevator Would Run a Cable From Earth's Equator to Beyond Geostationary Orbit

- Duration: 22.9 s · Published: 2025-03-03
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DGwuEkJRatD.mp4

### Transcript

[...] is a theoretical [...] and people [...] cable anchored [...] geostationary orbit, [...] 22,236 mi. up. [...] The concept relies [...] centrifugal force, [...] NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Where anchored?**  
A: Spin. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Anchor) · Wikipedia: Space elevator)_

**Q: Geostationary altitude?**  
A: GEO. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Height) · Wikipedia: Space elevator)_

**Q: What keeps it taut?**  
A: Centrifugal. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Tension) · Wikipedia: Space elevator)_

**Q: Status?**  
A: Concept. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Counterweight) · Wikipedia: Space elevator)_

**Q: Main obstacle?**  
A: Cable. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Status) · Wikipedia: Space elevator)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Space elevator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Going Up?." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-503, last updated Mar 3, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/going-up/