The space elevator is the goal and ambition of LiftPort: a geosynchronous satallite with a tether that reaches to Earth with a climber to carry people cheaply into space, allowing for mass space settlement.
Articles about the Earth Space Elevator
Artist's depiction of the climb of the space elevator.
The Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure (LSEI)
The Next Big Step
LiftPort’s proposed research will develop practical, near-term solutions for construction and expansion of a Lunar Elevator. The study will include characterization of materials; analysis of required rocketry and robotics; and evaluation of landing sites and methods of anchoring to the Lunar surface. Additionally, Ribbon spooling, infrastructure deployment, and micrometeorite mitigation techniques will be explored.
The Tethered Towers are where our technology currently stands, with strong atmospheric baloons with strong cable attacked for a climber to reach great hights. Already LiftPort, using this technology in 2006, has created a temporary structure, that while it stood during the tests, was the tallest man-made structure in the history of the world for a full 6 hours outside of Phoenix Arizona. (Dwarfing the 830 Meters - roughly half a mile - Dubai Tower by reaching a full mile)
The mile climb took longer than our other climbs, taking well into the night for the clmber to reach the top, so a full video of this climb is not available. The following of one of the lead-up tests (a 1000 foot climb) is best if you wish to see video. Otherwise, the pictueres that follow are all of the Mile High test.
The balloons as they're being raised up.
The climber as it travels up to the top of the tethered tower.
