The company believes that it would be more efficient to launch spaceships from the stratosphere because of the decreased fuel consumption involved. The researchers propose using a platform on top of the space lift as a launching pad, which could cut the cost of space flight by around one third. “Astronauts would ascend to 12 miles by electrical elevator, From the top of the tower, space planes will launch in a single stage to orbit, returning to the top of the tower for refueling and reflight,” The scientists say the elevator could also be used for scientific research, space tourism, communications, and wind-energy generation.