Daily Archives: January 8, 2007

IEEE – IFTF predictions do not include a Space Elevator

Last February and March, the Institute For The Future (IFTF) partnered with the Insitute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) in order to conduct a survey; “The survey asked participants to identify key breakthroughs in their areas of expertise and then to forecast probabilities of future developments.”

The survey, published in September of 2006 (IFTF pdf report available here and IEEE report available here), did not specifically mention a Space Elevator – an SE was only mentioned, somewhat disparagingly as something that the survey participants were too “down-to-earth” to predict.

We’ll see…

Don’t forget upcoming NOVA Science Now Space Elevator episode

Don’t forget – tomorrow is the date when the NOVA Science Now episode featuring the efforts to develop a Space Elevator airs.

You’ll need to check your local listings of course.  Here in the Chicago area, it is supposed to air on the local PBS station, WTTW, at 8:00pm Central Time.

The official website for the episode is here (you can also find local airing times from this website).  If you go here, you can see a brief preview of the show.  According to the website, the show will be archived and available for viewing online beginning January 10th.

Update – Blogcritics.com opines about the show here.

LiftPort Energy debuts…

From the new LiftPort Energy website: “Imagine a future when space faring humans are common thanks to the Space Elevator. These are the products that would make life possible offworld, where fossil fuel energy is scarce. Think of the benefits of space energy, right here on Earth.”

Frankly, I’m not too sure what to make of this new venture.  If it keeps the lights on, well and good and I certainly wish them well, of course.

The LiftPort blog announcement is here.  Steelsphere.com weighs in here.