>>12523291That's simple:
We don't have a HEAVY LAUNCHER capable of putting a tether worth the investment (see
>>12523772)
You could try a ridiculously small "proof of concept" with a tether so small it's only capable of catching micro-satellite rocket but what would be the point?
You'd have to design a vehicle capable of grabbing the hook from the ground that's small enough to be slingshot/tethered into orbit by the small tether.
If you want the money to count for something you'll want at least something that will be cost efficient on the long term.
In the far future however I except this:
Ground to LEO : Launch Loop
In LEO : Orbital ring also capable of catching what's thrown by the launch loop
LEO to GEO : Space tether so you can transfer cargo simply with exchange of momentum
Alternatively, MEO to HEO, tethers capable of throwing/catching interplanetary cargo.
Alternatively: Orbital ring just accelerate magnetically a cargo to be caught magnetically by a station in higher orbit
Lagrange point L2 : space elevator to the moon
