The Space Elevator conference and io9
August 18th, 2011
Over at io9, they have a summary posted about the recently completed Space Elevator Conference. I’ll be doing my own in the near future, but thought I would link to this for your enjoyment.
You should especially check out the brief interview with Mark Haase. Mark is a graduate student at the University of Cincinnati and a longtime fan of the space elevator. He gave one of the presentations on Friday, the “carbon nanotube day”. He has an interesting comparison between the development of carbon nanotubes and the development of aluminum.
I have one problem with the io9’s graphic of the space elevator though, it has a very ‘Chinese theme’. As I’ve written before, in the long run I don’t care who builds the space elevator as long as it gets built, but I’ll be very, very, very disappointed in my fellow Americans if we don’t do it first…
And finally, the article was written by Annalee Newitz - Annalee and I have corresponded before via email. This year she attended the conference and I had the pleasure of meeting her in person - You have a great site Annalee and thanks for coming to the Conference!
Entry Filed under: Carbon Nanotubes, News / Announcements, Space Elevator Competitions
11 Comments Add your own
1. Tom | August 21st, 2011 at 2:55 pm
The chance of this being built by a nation state, as opposed to a muti-national company are probably zero.
Why should seeing some advertising on the side of an illustration targeting people who speak one particular language have anything to do with who built it ? Seems a big leap to make if you don’t care…
2. Michael T Fischer | August 29th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Is there a conference proceeding available?
3. D. Grant L. | October 9th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
There is a problem with your “Space Elevator” Idea. As soon as the space elevator gets out of the atmosphere, the gravity pulling from the earth and the no gravity pulling from space will cause the space elevator to pull apart, ruining it. I don’t see how you’re going to get past that.
4. lifts | October 10th, 2011 at 9:52 am
Great interview with Mark Haase, what a fascinating guy!
5. dave | October 11th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
I agree with Tom. The problem with your article is that you fall right in to the category of people who will keep this from ever happening, in our lifetimes, because you are bound by imaginary lines. What is America and China, really? It’s a lie.
6. peter | October 17th, 2011 at 1:00 am
Very interesting read, great site thank you…cheers Peter
7. Eric | November 7th, 2011 at 8:57 am
Several months with no updates… hope it’s just because too busy with important news!
8. Ted Semon | January 9th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Hello Michael - this is being worked on. The committee has been catching up. 2008, 2009 have been published and I think 2010 is nearly done. 2011 is next up.
Thanks for reading!
9. Ted Semon | January 9th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Hi Eric - yes I know, no updates for several months. I apologize but I needed to take a break from blogging. My batteries are recharged and I’m once again posting. Thanks for your patience and thanks for reading!
10. Ted Semon | January 9th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
To D.Grant L., there is no issue with this. The proposed tether is strong enough to handle to pull from earth’s gravity and from the counterweight at the top (held up by centrifugal force).
But there is no material strong enough today to build a Space Elevator (on earth). Carbon Nanotubes and Boron Nitride Nanotubes hold the greatest promise and work is proceeding apace on these technologies. Stay tuned!
11. Ted Semon | January 9th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
To Tom and Dave - I thought I was clear when I wrote “…in the long run I don’t care who builds the space elevator as long as it gets built.”
It may be the Chinese first (though I would bet in India doing it before they did) and, if so, more power to them.
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