Space Lift Tests Progressing

[Bruno Ogorelec]

From an aviation I subscribe to:

LiftPort Group, a consortium of companies working together to develop a space elevator, said on Monday it has successfully completed a second round of tests of its high-altitude platform. The tests, which required an FAA waiver to use the airspace, were completed earlier this month in Arizona. LiftPort says it launched an observation and communication platform to over 5,000 feet and maintained it in a stationary position for more than six hours, using an arrangement of high-altitude balloons. A ribbon attached from the platform to the ground supported robotic lifters that climbed as high as 1,500 feet. LiftPort says the technology can eventually be used to create a space elevator that would be anchored to an offshore sea platform near the equator in the Pacific Ocean. A carbon nanotube composite ribbon would stretch some 62,000 miles from earth to space. Mechanical lifters would move up and down the ribbon, carrying such items as people, satellites and solar power systems. "We're pleased at the success of this round of testing," said Michael Laine, president of LiftPort. "Testing our technology in real world settings is critical to the ultimate success of our space elevator, and we appreciate the FAA's willingness to work with us on this." The company is headquartered in Bremerton, Wash.

[larry cottrill]

Better take sandwiches along when you hop on board. Some kind of relief system, too. A ten-hour ride if you can do a measly 6200 MPH from start to finish.

L Cottrill

[Greg O'Bryant]

Why in the ocean? Wouldn't the top of a mountain in Africa or South America be better? 6200 MPH!! OK doesn't ribbon usually twist? This may make problems with providing power to the robots (if they use photo cells for power) and could limit their speed.

[PulseDuuude]

Why in the ocean? Wouldn't the top of a mountain in Africa or South America be better? 6200 MPH!! OK doesn't ribbon usually twist? This may make problems with providing power to the robots (if they use photo cells for power) and could limit their speed.

No one owns the ocean...so you don't have to worry about greedy politicians (at least not as much...)

Power to the climbers could possibly be provided by conductive strips attached to the ribbon...assuming a ribbon is still being used for the orbital version.

[steve]

Why in the ocean? Wouldn't the top of a mountain in Africa or South America be better? 6200 MPH!! OK doesn't ribbon usually twist? This may make problems with providing power to the robots (if they use photo cells for power) and could limit their speed.

It has to be on the equator since the top of the ribbon is supported by a weight that is being flung around by the earth's rotation. If it were built north or south of the equator it would be going upwards at an angle.

plus planes are less likely to fly into it if it is over water. ;-)