Armchair Scientist

If even half of Thor's dire predictions re Tethers [and presumably
Space Elevators as well] are to be taken seriously, perhaps the idea
of a tethered Buckminster Fuller "Cloud Nine" should be revisited.
A "poor man's Space Elevator/Launch Pad" placed just deep enough
into the atmosphere to provide reliable flotation is probably do-able
with current technology, and would provide worthwhile benefits with
lowered [is this a pun? :-] and better understood risks than those
mentioned by Thor.