Space elevator contest proposed

msnbc.com ^ | 08/27/04 | Alan Boyle

[KevinDavis]

Enthusiasts on Friday unveiled an effort to establish an annual competition for space-elevator technologies, taking a page from the playbook for other high-tech contests such as the $10 million Ansari X Prize.

[KevinDavis]

First the X-Prize, Mars Prize, this is neat...

[KevinDavis]

[Larry Lucido]

[GSlob]

Given the amount of junk from space programs already orbiting, what kind of armor shielding would that elevator need to be able to operate for a long time?

[Noachian]

This idea has been around in sci-fi books for years, and it could actually work.

The question is: who would build, and who would use, something that would become an instant target for terrorists?

[IrishCatholic]

I'm more concerned about the Muslim fanatic in a Cessna.

[RightWhale]

Many of the details surrounding the "Elevator:2010" challenge — including financing — still have to be fleshed out, however.

Primarily financing. The use of light to power a rocket has already been done.

[coconutt2000]

It should be a 1 billion dollar prize...

That would get a lot of attention from American ventures. And provide the capital for the developers to turn it into a real business.

[coconutt2000]

Now, do you think we can tax the richest socialist liberals for the common good?

/humor

[annyokie]

PFFFFFFFFFTT! I want my robot maid.

[sharktrager]

I am proposing a "Make John a Billionaire Contest".

Grand prize for the winning team will be $10 million. All subsequent successful entrants will be awarded $5 million.

[GreenHornet]

Electromagnetic propulsion development for high-speed ground transportation, launch assist, and high velocity launch rails will advance the technology needed to travel the 36,000 kilometer length of the space elevator as part of a fast, safe, and energy efficient system.

I don't know.......the thought of getting into the Space Elevator, then having to listen to Muzak during the entire 36,000 kilometer ride to the top doesn't appeal to me at all.

[KevinDavis]

Especially songs by Simon and Garfunkel...

[kruelio]

My wife and I were just talking about investing in Liftport today. I inquired as to investment opportunities in their company a couple of years ago and earlier this month they put together an early initial offering, but it ends on 8/31/2004 so we have to decide quickly.

My feeling is one of 4 things will happen (in ascending order of preference):

1. They'll fail.
2. Their project will become acquired by the military or NASA.
3. They will have a hard time putting it all together, but their patents will pay off.
4. They will succeed and we'll be rich!

I think the Space Elevator has a much greater chance for success in the near future than the Time Travel Fund. :-)

Comments?

[GEC]

ROTFLMAO

[ElkGroveDan]

[Larry Lucido]

then having to listen to Muzak during the entire 36,000 kilometer ride

Bigger concern.

[SunkenCiv]

There's $10 million that will never be awarded. I'll chip in $1 million to the winner. ;')

[SunkenCiv]

The materials research may pay off bigtime, kinda like how the 1960s space program had spinoff technology, like pens that write upside down (as the Russians said, "why not just use a pencil?"), dehydrated broccoli, and Tang. And the use of really long tethers in space may be of some benefit. No chance of making a space elevator though. (':

[metacognative]

I'm all for this. But I've heard that the filaments will generate voltage in then ionosphere. Keep me on this list.