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The
current cost of a space shuttle launch is approximately $10,000 per pound. Even
with the reusable space shuttle launches are infrequent and expensive costing near a half a billion dollars. A space elevator would open up the door for more frequent trips to space, and would cost only $100 to $400
per pound of cargo. A space elevator could be used for satellite deployment,
defense, space exploration and even tourism. If the plans for a space elevator
are realized it could replace the space shuttle as the main space vehicle.
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