Are skyhooks bullshit? Wouldn’t the atmospheric drag bring it down? Wouldn’t we end up using the same amount of fuel/energy to keep it up?

>>16723910 (OP)
They are bullshit in the sense that they don't exist
Conceptually they aren't bullshit. Yes you do need to eventually spend the same energy but the difference is that you can do that in space while the actual craft doesn't have to worry about it. This does have real fuel economy advantages + if there's back and forth traffic most of the energy can be recoupped by the payload going down so you are really left with just drag losses. Not only can the craft be so much simpler in it's design but because it doesn't need to carry nearly as much fuel it's also lighter. Meanwhile the hook while it does lose energy due to drag can afford to use extremely efficient but weak engines like ion engines to keep it's energy topped up because it doesn't actually have to fight gravity like a rocket would have to.
Overall the energy savings after the system is in place are significant and more importantly it simplifies the launch logistics massively from the perspective of the craft that's blasting off which is the bit that counts the most.

>>16724147
How exactly are ships meant to connect to it?
It doesn't sound simpler at all for the launch vehicle, they need to sync perfectly with a massive cable going a few km/s at the tip
If it misses then needs an abort option and recovery