Seattle team wins $900,000 in Space Elevator Games
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NaboCaneNew MemberOPBy JOHN ANTCZAK, Associated Press Writer – Sat Nov 7, 8:53 am ET
LOS ANGELES – A Seattle team has collected a $900,000 prize in a NASA-backed competition to develop the concept of an elevator to space — an idea spurred by science fiction novels.
The team's robotic machine raced up more than 2,950 feet of cable dangling from a helicopter.
Powered by a ground-based laser pointed up at the robot's photo voltaic cells that converted the light into electricity, the LaserMotive machine completed one of its climbs in about three minutes and 48 seconds, good for second-place money.
The contest is intended to encourage development of a theory that originated in the 1960s and was popularized by Arthur C. Clarke's 1979 novel "The Fountains of Paradise."
Space elevators are envisioned as a way to reach space without the risk and expense of rockets...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_space_elevator
Baby steps. :up:
BuckeyeKingNew MemberIt doesn't seem possible. What could support such a massive structure?
NaboCaneNew Member"BuckeyeKing wrote:
It doesn't seem possible. What could support such a massive structure?
The satellite in space would be weightless, but it would keep the cable taut so the lift could run up and down it.
In the final application, the cable would be replaced by a ribbon made of nanofiber; stronger than anything we have now.
BuckeyeKingNew Member"NaboCane wrote:
The satellite in space would be weightless, but it would keep the cable taut so the lift could run up and down it.
In the final application, the cable would be replaced by a ribbon made of nanofiber; stronger than anything we have now.
What would something like this cost?
NaboCaneNew Member"BuckeyeKing wrote:
What would something like this cost?
Once it's in place, a tiny fraction of what chemical rockets cost.
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