Dubai proposed as location for upside-down skyscraper suspended from asteroid

are the firm behind the upside-down idea, which would need to be built from the sky downwards.

If you’re wondering how this could ever work, here’s what the firm’s website has to say: “Analemma inverts the traditional diagram of an earth-based foundation, instead depending on a space-based supporting foundation from which the tower is suspended. This system is referred to as the  (UOSS). By placing a large asteroid into orbit over earth, a high strength cable can be lowered towards the surface of earth from which a super tall tower can be suspended.”

“Since this new tower typology is suspended in the air, it can be constructed anywhere in the world and transported to its final location. The proposal calls for Analemma to be constructed over Dubai, which has proven to be a specialist in tall building construction at one fifth the cost of New York City construction.”

Placing an asteroid in the Earth’s atmosphere may sound a bit sci-fi, but apparently it’s an area that is being investigated with some success. The European Space Agency launched a new round of investment for asteroid mining in 2015, after proving that it is possible to land on a spinning comment. Also, NASA have an asteroid retrieval mission planned for 2021.

The firm says that the tower would get its power from “space-based solar panels”, which would have constant exposure to sunlight.

It all sounds pretty awesome to us – a constantly changing view and instead of flying to a new location, you can just parachute. Better start training now…