117,407,136 feet to go

[epicstruggle]

http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/25/1831211&tid=160&tid=14

MSNBC.com is running a story about yesterday's successful test of the Space Elevator!! Maybe it will become a reality after all." From the article: "This week's testing involved a 12-foot (4-meter) diameter balloon. Safety lines held by team members kept the balloon from floating away. The ribbon dangling from the balloon was made of composite fiberglass, with the robot lifter running up and down the tether ... During the day, the highest altitude reached by the balloon/ribbon/robot combination was 1,000 feet (305 meters). 'It gives us complete confidence that the mile goal is well within reach,' Laine said. Laine said that the Federal Aviation Administration has been very supportive and helpful in orchestrating their test flights. "

a post from /. :

I have been following the progress of research concerning space-elevator for some time now. The LiftPort Group of companies working towards a space-elevator are making a great deal of progress. See here [liftport.com] and here [liftport.com] for more LiftPort specific information. Slashdot reported on the faa approval [slashdot.org] of their high altitude tests several days ago -- refer to that thread for some interesting discussion. Check here [www.isr.us] and here here [www.isr.us] for several reports concerning the viability of the elevator -- be sure to check the NIAC pdf. Also, Blaise Gassend has a great collection of information [mit.edu]. Finally, though carbon nanotubes are still in their infancy (its been a little over 12 years since they were discovered) - their theoretical tensile strengths are perfect for use in the construction of a space elevator tether. This recent development [anl.gov] spells a rosy future, and many innovations yet to come.

The dream of a space elevator is a 1000 feet closer to reality.

epic
edit:note the "117,407,136 feet to go" comes from a post in /., the actuall distance might be a bit different depending on how large/small a counter weight you want.

 

[CMAN]

That is awesome. Think of how much easier space exploration would be if you could launch from space. So much less fuel and a lot safer.

 

[epicstruggle]

That is awesome. Think of how much easier space exploration would be if you could launch from space. So much less fuel and a lot safer.

My figures might not be 100% accurate. Currently it costs a $10,000+ per kg to get something into space, with a space elevator it will be more like a few hundred dollars per kg. It will fantastic once we get it going, more funding definetly needs to be allocated towards this endeavor.

epic

 

[Geo]

These guys (LiftPort) are cool. They gave us some nifty science fact/fiction flashcards for the educational CD we did for teachers to use science fiction and fantasy to teach science to k-12.