Yes, scientists are actually building an elevator to space - Fabio Pacucci episode artwork

EPISODE · May 30, 2026 · 7 MIN

Yes, scientists are actually building an elevator to space - Fabio Pacucci

from TED-Ed · host TED-Ed

Explore the physics behind space elevators, which would theoretically use a cable anchored to Earth and extending into space. --Sending rockets into space requires sacrificing expensive equipment, burning massive amounts of fuel, and risking potential catastrophe. So in the space race of the 21st century, some engineers are abandoning rockets for something more exciting: elevators. What would it take to build such a structure? Fabio Pacucci explores the physics behind modern space elevators.Lesson by Fabio Pacucci, directed by Tjoff Koong Studios.Support Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/want-to-go-to-space-but-hate-flying-take-an-elevator-fabio-pacucciDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/want-to-go-to-space-but-hate-flying-take-an-elevator-fabio-pacucci#digdeeperAnimator's website: https://vimeo.com/tjoffkoongstudios----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Heather Slater, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora Slydell, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid , Kent Logan, Alexandra Panzer, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Daniel Erickson, frank goto, Jayson Hauschild, J D Wallace, Marq Short, Chen Jun Xiang, Adam Pagan, Paul Schultz, Behzad Farhanieh, Anders Sørheim, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, BrushReads, Matt Kennedy, Jonah Dobbs, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu, Cameron Burkle, Dhanwanth Varadhan, David D, Zuko Gameplays, Jonathan Bates JBZ, Aria Smith, Mac Hyney, Keith Ellison, robin valero walters, Camehira, Lynne Truesdale, Gatsby Dkdc, Matthew Neal, Jayson Gasper Ayson, Maxwell Ramsby, Dmitry Yuryev and Denis Chon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the physics behind space elevators, which would theoretically use a cable anchored to Earth and extending into space. --Sending rockets into space requires sacrificing expensive equipment, burning massive amounts of fuel, and risking potential catastrophe. So in the space race of the 21st century, some engineers are abandoning rockets for something more exciting: elevators. What would it take to build such a structure? Fabio Pacucci explores the physics behind modern space elevators.Lesson by Fabio Pacucci, directed by Tjoff Koong Studios.Support Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/want-to-go-to-space-but-hate-flying-take-an-elevator-fabio-pacucciDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/want-to-go-to-space-but-hate-flying-take-an-elevator-fabio-pacucci#digdeeperAnimator's website: https://vimeo.com/tjoffkoongstudios----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Heather Slater, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora Slydell, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid , Kent Logan, Alexandra Panzer, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Daniel Erickson, frank goto, Jayson Hauschild, J D Wallace, Marq Short, Chen Jun Xiang, Adam Pagan, Paul Schultz, Behzad Farhanieh, Anders Sørheim, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, BrushReads, Matt Kennedy, Jonah Dobbs, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu, Cameron Burkle, Dhanwanth Varadhan, David D, Zuko Gameplays, Jonathan Bates JBZ, Aria Smith, Mac Hyney, Keith Ellison, robin valero walters, Camehira, Lynne Truesdale, Gatsby Dkdc, Matthew Neal, Jayson Gasper Ayson, Maxwell Ramsby, Dmitry Yuryev and Denis Chon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Yes, scientists are actually building an elevator to space - Fabio Pacucci

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This episode was published on May 30, 2026.

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Explore the physics behind space elevators, which would theoretically use a cable anchored to Earth and extending into space. --Sending rockets into space requires sacrificing expensive equipment, burning massive amounts of fuel, and risking...

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