It begins; again…

How do I count the number of times I’ve started down this path of building a Space Elevator?

1 – 2001-2003 – I worked as an independent contractor under the NASA research program of Earth’s Space Elevator

2 – 2003-2007 – I created LiftPort Group (LiftPort 1.0).  We were focused on the Earth’s Space Elevator.  To reach that target, we did research on carbon nanotubes, and the robotics necessary for climbing our Ribbon.

3 – 2007-2011 – The project was stagnant.  LiftPort failed.  Other people were doing work. (International Space Elevator Consortium was established, the NASA competitions were being run by Spaceward Foundation, and Japan was coming online.)  But I didn’t do much.  I tried; I simply didn’t have the resources to be very effective.  I traveled, lived in Greece, Spain and Canada for a while.  I went to back to school.  All the while, the Elevator and its potential kept gnawing at me.  

4 – 2011-2013 – Lunar Elevator epiphany!  LiftPort 2.0 established.  We figure out that an Elevator on the Moon can be constructed from current technology.  We shift the focus of all our efforts toward the Moon.  For better or worse, Kickstarter happens.  (My mom is injured; I choose to help her.)

5 – 2013-2017 – False start.  LiftPort crashes, again.  We simply don’t have enough resources, cash, time, people, to accomplish anything.  We continue the planning efforts and simple studies of LSEI.  (My step-dad is sick, and eventually dies; I choose to help the family.)
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6 – 2017 – It begins.  Again.  This is LiftPort 3.0!  Still focused on the Lunar Elevator.  This time – I hope – we have resources to build something amazing!

-Michael Laine,
​President, LiftPort Group