[ QUOTE ]
I would like to know if any of the science / engineering types believe a space elevator is something that ever will happen, or should happen. If so, what do you believe is the time frame? Seems to me that carbon fiber tech is advancing to the point that we ought to have something strong and light enough to do the job before long.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you know how much carbon fiber would be needed to build such a thing? Ignoring all technical issues, who could ever in the foreseeable future afford it to the point that it would be beneficial to build and operate?