Can you protect a Space Elevator from Space Junk?

The idea of an elevator reaching to the near cosmos is very tantalizing when trying to think of ways off planet. A major draw back to this idea is that a long, thin tower into the atmosphere seem like a very likely candidate to be damaged by Space junk, asteroids, etc.

My question is, is there a truly effective way to protect a space elevator from the elements of space, and whatever other damage it could come across?

My mind drifted to ideas like orbiting shields, or possibly automated turrets on the structures exterior set to target and destroy projectiles. I would love to here other ideas.

posted almost 7 years ago

Renzler‭

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