Introducing "Elsie"
Updated: 30 October 2011
Most of the people coming to this site are looking for information about the Space Elevator. And for better or worse, for 10 years, I’ve been working on that super-project…
But my team and I are shifting gears.
I’m a little famous for my oft-used quote: “There is a profound difference between difficult, very very hard and impossible.” Well, I hate to say it, but after 10 years of progress on the theory behind building an Elevator from Earth to Space, it is still impossible. We simply do not have the materials to build this structure (YET)! I remain convinced that we will be able to. I hope that it is soon.
However, in the meantime, my team has shifted gears. We are now tackling something that we know IS possible, today, with current materials science, and with current rocketry.
We are building an Elevator on the Moon first. We can build the first robotic version in six years and a human-rated system “before this decade is out!”
What we learn from this effort will teach us many of the things we need for the Earth system. And the Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure (LSEI or “Elsie”) is in many ways easier than the Earth system. (And in other ways, it is vastly more complex; so there is a trade-off.)
So our site will retain much of the old data that you might be interested in, regarding the Terrestrial Space Elevator. We’ve got lots of stuff in our forums, and our blogs and thousands of images on Flickr. But going forward, this site will serve as the central repository for LSEI data.
Thanks for your interest in our first project. Be assured that we are still totally dedicated to the vision of an Elevator rising from our tiny planet, out into space. But before we can build that system, we will build the Lunar version.
Take care. mjl
LiftPort v2.0
Updated: May 20, 2011
First off, you’ll notice we have a new website!
That is significant for a number of reasons, but the one that is most important – is that it symbolizes a renaissance for LiftPort Group!
We are a vastly different company, now, then we were when I began this Elevator to Space journey, 10 years ago. We started LiftPort in April, 2003, full of wild-eyed optimism. LiftPort essentially failed in April 2007; crushed by an economic downturn that almost bankrupted me. LiftPort Inc., officially closed.
Emotionally, I referred to it as ‘being in a coma’, and I was waiting for the day when it would flutter its eyes, and wake. I retained all the assets (and the liabilities) with the hope and determination that it would rise like a phoenix from the ashes. (Too many metaphors? Right, I think so too. I’m done now.)
And four years later, it does.
So ya, the new website is important, because it is a symbol of greater things to come!
We will see an Elevator climbing into the sky. Let that sink in a moment… It would have been ‘easy’ to quit. A lot of people recommended that I quit. A lot of people kept asking me when I was going to “get a real job”. Well, this website – and LiftPort v2.0 – is my answer to my critics.
So what happens next?
LiftPort NanoTech:
Soon (end of summer), we will re-launch LiftPort NanoTech – with a very unexpected product. Put your ‘thinking cap’ on. What do you think it is? I’ll give you a hint – it was an idea that came from our FANS! You guys are the reason we are back in business. I will be forever grateful for the support, encouragement and enthusiasm you’ve shown during this rough patch. So what’s our new product? Assume small amounts of Carbon NanoTubes. Medium/High-grade with some traces of ultra-high mixed in. What would you do with it?
LiftPort Media:
On hold, until the fall. Yes, I’ve got some ideas for LiftPort Media. No, because I’m essentially alone right now, I don’t have time to focus on getting a product out the door.
Tethered Towers:
Ditto. Relaunching Tethered Towers is much harder/impossible to tackle until I’ve rebuilt a fully-functioning team. Yes, I still think that Balloon-based communication towers are extremely lucrative. Yes, I think LiftPort Group will pursue this. No, I can’t do it right now – I have neither the capital/cash nor the people, nor the client base. I would be happy to partner on this.
LiftPort Luna:
Hold your horses! We’re getting to LiftPort Luna. Soon. Hmmm... What do you think the product and service might be?
Product Centric:
You’ll notice one more important detail. With each of these four paragraphs, I mention a product. Before, in LiftPort v1, we talked about ‘learning stuff’. Now, if v2 is going to succeed, we have to talk about ‘selling stuff’. What do you want to buy from the Elevator to Space Companies – LiftPort Group!
Take Care. Mjl