You know how they say that a space elevator will be built 10 years after everyone stops laughing?
Well, many people have stopped laughing. So say these guys!
Basically, what they're trying to do is prototype a space elevator. Their company has had many financial troubles since 2007, but thanks to Kickstarter they're back on their feet!
It's great that somebody's actually trying to do this. If somebody doesn't try it, nobody will. It's a sign that people have stopped laughing. These guys are trailblazers.
I'm well aware of the fact that these guys could never hope to build a full-fledged $multi-billion space elevator project before the decade is out on their own, but they'll prove that it's doable with today's technology. If they do prove that it's doable, hopefully a handful of world's leaders will bite and contract an enormous project that will hopefully create a lot of jobs and bring prosperity in the long-term.
This project will be dinky and unsafe, but it'll be the first. It's like the Sputnik to Apollo 11.
Over time these things will become much easier to build as carbon nanotubes become cheaper and easier to make. Basically, the solution is not so much to build up from the ground, as it is to build down. We would have to send a satellite "spool" containing 60,000km of nanotube cable, and shoot the loose end towards the ground. The loose end would be guided by sensors and rockets to avoid obstacles, and upon descent into earth's atmosphere it would slow down. Then we would send a UAV to meet it, and safely guide the loose end to a place where we can hook it.
Voila! From there on it's just a matter of establishing a proper base at the bottom and a heavy counterweight at the top! Later on the more expensive elevators will likely have pinnacles with spaceports, hangars, and assembly halls for building more spaceships.
Any questions? :)
Show these guys your support! If they make it past $100,000 in the next 11 days, they'll have the funds to become a full-fledged company with a serious, coherent plan! Just to give you an idea of how fast they've grown, they made $20,000 in 3 days and they've already gotten $50,000!
Again, read up on it here.
What do you guys think? I think it's the beginning of something great.
On a completely unrelated note, this new "instant favorite" feature sure is something! *wink wink*
ALECXACE
the sad part is when it finishes a ride on it will cost in the high six figure range an everyone who's rich will want a ride on it which in turn will drive the cost higher for the average person :(
we'll just have to qait and see an hope they are successful
vezanmatics (Updated )
Dude come on. Everyone knows that space elevators are not just some amusement park ride. They're made to safely and cheaply transport goods from Earth's surface to orbit, eliminating the need for expensive and dangerous rocket launches. Read: SAFELY AND CHEAPLY. This would allow us to build entire spacecraft in orbit, effectively securing our future.
Actually, if anyone would be able to ride space elevators, they would be the futuristic equivalent of people who work on oil rigs or load cargo ships for a living, only in space.