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?
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.
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.
2 comments:
My first exposure to the idea of a space elevator was in the Mars trilogy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_trilogy
The author did a great job at character development and the detail and accuracy of the science was a welcome component.
I don't think I was really aware of the theory until about 5 years ago. I then researched it and discovered an 18th century European conceived it. Clarke takes credit beyond that for making it seem practical and with today's and tomorrows advances it could become a reality within the decade.
What made me aware was just trying to think of a way to escape orbit or get mass into orbit in an economical way for the combined purpose of free solar energy and blocking excess solar irradiation, managing an equilibrium in our climate by managing energy (and not CO2). This irregardless of land use issues which are IMO the primary cause of anthropogenic climate change.
My other blog contains my theories on that issue.
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