LiftPort's space elevator reaches one mile.
I recently saw this article about the latest achievements of the space elevator by the LiftPort Group (slashdotted here). I highly recommend reading through the article. Fascinating stuff.
Why is this fascinating?
Well, first, we have to go back to November when I attended MindCamp. One of the first open presentations/discussions I tripped across (I literally tripped across the power cord for the projector) was where Michael Laine was discussing the space elevator. I have to admit, when I was listening to him talk about the concepts I was thinking, "What the heck is this for?"
Over the next 30 minutes, Michael answered each of my questions with not only an impressive technical depth but a passion I could respect. I wish I could relate all of his answers here but in short summary. Michael described:
1. How a space elevator has huge value for zero gravity and (sometimes more importantly) low gravity research/manufacturing. Medical research and manufacturing is apparently incredibly interested here.
2. How a space elevator can cost effectively put extremely large objects in space. His example was how a gigantic geosynchronous solar panel could be constructed in space that beams down energy to earth (in such a way that the energy wouldn't even harm a butterfly). That was just an example, there were tons of other ideas.
3. How the space elevator is pushing advances in materials, robotics, energy distribution, and weaponry. Michael noted that many, many advances in technology come from seemingly crazy futuristic ideas that may or may not work. However, the simple fact of attempting to make the dreams reality advanced technology elsewhere. I gave the example of how going to space (I don't remember if it was Apollo or Space Shuttle timeframe) created the foundation for air conditioning in our cars.
Anyway, the whole conversation was so fascinating I am very happy to see that LiftPort is seeing some success now and working through the failures (apparently the robots didn't make it to the mile marker and debugging was underway). Michael was also a great sport when playing Werewolf at MindCamp even though he was lynched quickly a few times.
Oh, one other question I asked was, "Why LiftPort? What does that mean?" Michael smiled and said, "Well, it's like 'airport' or 'seaport'. The space elevator would be at the 'liftport'." Think about that. You could go to the liftport for a trip into space. Cool.
