THE space elevator has long promised a cheap, green and leisurely way into orbit, but even its most optimistic proponents know the reality is decades away. Now there鈥檚 an alternative: a titanic hybrid between a bouncy castle and a Tinkertoy that can soar 15 kilometres skywards (see 鈥淐limb the inflatavator for a journey into space鈥�). The necessary materials are there, and the inflatable structure might eventually extend to a lofty 200 kilometres. Wayward pilots, woodpeckers, high heels and other hazards aside, this could truly be several thousand springy steps for mankind.
Inflatable stairway to heaven
A titanic hybrid between a bouncy castle and a Tinkertoy could let us climb into space without the need for a rocket 鈥� and the technology to build it is available now