Space Fountain

A space fountain is a proposed form of structure extending into space that, unlike a space elevator does not need to be as tall as geostationary orbit, and does not rely on tensile strength for support. In contrast to the space elevator design, a space fountain is a tremendously tall tower extending up from the ground. Since such a tall tower could not support its own weight using traditional materials, fast moving pellets are projected upward from the bottom of the tower and redirected back down once they reach the top, so that the force of redirection holds the top of the tower aloft. Payloads ascend or descend by coupling with this stream of pellets or by climbing up the side of the tower. The space fountain has some advantages over a space elevator in that it does not require materials with extreme strength, can be located at any point on a planet's surface instead of just the lower latitudes, and can be raised to heights lower than the level of geostationary orbit. Its major disadvantages come about from the fact that it is an extremely high energy active structure. It requires constant power input to make up energy losses and remain erect. The high energy content of the kinetic component of the structure also continually threatens to cause instant, catastrophic destruction if the containment systems fail.