step 1.
how far can a column of atmosphere be extended/projected into space using present day antenna tech ie phased array antennae? the process must be safe and repeatable, so what other factors need addressed to ensure safety and efficiency? the projection of atmosphere into space has been done already, in fact the first was accidental, over north europe, when a gravity wave occurred during an ionospheric experiment in the 90s. that unforeseen accident caused a large chunk of the atmosphere to be ejected into space, creating a hole that took a while to fill in, all the while irradiating dangerously a swath across siberia and environs. in order to gain the space flight advantage of antennae technologies total control must be attained, and all driveable altitude is free altitude.
