Is a space elevator worth it?

A space elevator would bring nothing but great benefits to mankind, apart from the technical problems involved in its realization.

A satellite would have to be launched into geostationary orbit at about 35,700 km, so that it would always have the same position relative to the earth.

Then a cable (which would have to be 40,000 times longer than the Burj Khalifa and extremely strong) would have to be pulled down from the satellite and anchored to the ground. Only then can the actual elevator be attached around the cable.

The biggest problems concern the material of the cable itself and its safety: it must be incredibly tough and very reliable. If it broke near the satellite it would fall to the ground, whereas if it broke near the earth it would rise into space.

Means of transport like this would drastically decrease the cost of carrying material and people into space, from 20,000€ per kilo of today (and 1.3 million per person) to only 200€ per kilo.

The cable could also be covered with solar panels, providing a large surface area to collect energy and send it back to earth.