The Space elevator Competition

This years competition began today.

The Space Elevator Contest

I do not think many people realise the significance of a space elevator, what it can mean to humanity and our evolution as a specie. No major news coverage heralded the event, I guess because it's not considered newsworthy.

So, what is a space elevator? Why is it so important?

A space elevator is best described as a bridge to space, but effectively it's a line connected to a geosynchronous orbiting satellite that a vehicle would use to climb into orbit. Sort of like Jack in the Beanstalk.

The importance would be that it cuts the cost of reaching earth orbit not in half, but one hundred fold. What material or mass that would cost a dollar in energy to orbit, would now only cost a penny. I'd imagine that cost would eventually drop as more elevators were constructed, and bidding for use came into play.

More questions arise, such as why do we need this? Or what can this do for us?

Why? Call it a natural progression, man's continuing exploration and discovery that leads us along our evolutionary path. Call it securing and safeguarding our planet and our continued survival on this world. There are just too many reasons why this is necessary. I call it common sense.

What it can do directly is provide Clean Energy, free and abundant from the Sun. It can also provide better eyes in space, observatories used as early warning as well as research and discovery. It can also make it possible for more effective Manned missions within our solar system, and colonies not only on the Moon, but Mars and elsewhere. Also important, we can manage our climate, or obtain an equilibrium that minimizes the effect of climate cycles that we are subjected to by manipulating solar irradiation and other elements that affect our planet in the environment of space. We are living on a world that can change without notice, and we are not prepared.

We can better safeguard our world, we could do this while maintaining the ecology and environment that we are accustomed to.

So many uses, such an important initiative, and so little is said about it. Many people do know what this means, but it's a small community it seems.

Not enough for network coverage, not enough bang for the buck.

Or maybe it's still Science Fiction.

Corporations

Something that has been around for ages now, but will always ring true in the corporate structure. I know, because in my job I am a victim of blind corporate policy and ignorance.








How Shit Happens!
The PLAN (How Shit Happens)

In the beginning, there was The Plan.
And, then came The Assumptions.
And The Assumptions were without form.
And The Plan was without substance.
And darkness was upon the face of The Workers.


And The Workers spoke amongst themselves, saying "This is a crock of shit, and it stinketh."
And The Workers went unto their Supervisors and said "It is a pail of dung, and we can't live with the smell."


And The Supervisors went unto their Managers, saying "It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none may abide it."
And The Managers went unto their Directors, saying "It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength."

And The Directors spoke amongst themselves, saying "It contains that which aids plant growth, and it is very strong."

And the Directors went unto The Vice Presidents, saying "It promotes growth, and it is very powerful."

And The Vice Presidents went unto the President, saying "This new plan will actively promote the growth and vigor of the company with very powerful effects."


And The President looked upon The Plan and saw that it was good.
And The Plan became Policy.

And that my friends, is how SHIT happens.