What’s the most INSANE thing you can imagine flying in the sky? Kanye West in a plane? NO! (and also, just kidding). Analemma Tower re-imagines skyscraper design by flipping the concept of foundation—suspending the structure from space rather than anchoring it to the ground. The proposal relies on the Universal Orbital Support System (UOSS), inspired by the space elevator concept. By capturing a large asteroid in geosynchronous orbit and extending a high-strength cable down to Earth, a tower can hang suspended above the surface. This radical method allows the structure to be built anywhere and relocated as needed, with Dubai proposed as the initial site due to its efficiency and expertise in tall building construction. The tower would follow a figure-eight orbit over the Earth, returning to the same location daily.
Human architecture has consistently trended toward greater heights, and current data suggests an exponential rise in building elevations. Analemma pushes this trajectory further, with an orbital path allowing it to drift between hemispheres, offering unique opportunities to connect with the surface at the slowest points in its orbit—potentially over major cities like New York. Inside, the tower would be vertically zoned: business at the base, residential in the middle, and spiritual or recreational spaces at the top. Windows would vary by altitude to manage pressure and temperature, and top floors would benefit from longer daylight hours due to Earth’s curvature.
Technological advances make this concept increasingly feasible. Space agencies have proven asteroid capture is possible, and future missions aim to advance this capability. Power would come from solar panels positioned above the atmosphere for maximum efficiency, while water systems would recycle and harvest moisture from clouds. New elevator technologies eliminate previous height limits, but extreme altitudes still pose challenges—such as cold, low pressure, and unbreathable air—raising questions about livability. Nonetheless, the idea behind Analemma speaks to a future where luxury, isolation, and orbiting real estate could redefine how we think about cities in the sky.
