Space lift ‘can be built now’

A TOWER which could carry people 22,000 miles into space in a lift could be built now, scientists claim.

A mathematical model shows for the first time the futuristic concept is viable.

Prof Sean Sun and Dan Popescu, of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, used carbon and aramid for a light but strong material.

Robots would fix stress faults as they happen – similar to the human body’s self-repair system.

Prof Sun said: “Building a space elevator is possible with available materials...”