So I went through the catalog and saw someone made a similar thread which resulted in no responses. An outcome which is probably how this attempt will end up as well. While no where near as interesting or science fiction stylized as the conceptual space elevator the skyhook tether appears to be the best return on investment for pursuing resources outside of our blue marble.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqwpQarrDwk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_tether
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqKGREZs6-w

Now I wonder is there even proper incentive for us to explore space or even colonize space? You would think the first order of business as a species would be to stamp out all the nasty disagreements at home before we start trying to head out to places which are currently inhospitable. There's no denying that in working towards lofty goals as space exploration there would be tenfold breakthroughs that would support life on earth along the way. How exactly can that be incentivized to a company or business let alone a government that has it's hands full before thinking about space.

tl;dr is space a pipe dream?