Kansas City Space Pirates to use TRUMPF Lasers in 2008 Space Elevator Games

As noted in earlier postings, both here and on the Spaceward website, TRUMPF has offered to supply ‘Laser Power’ to qualifying teams for the 2008 Space Elevator Games.

The Kansas City Space Pirates have reached an agreement with TRUMPF for use of their equipment.  Brian Turner, captain of the Space Pirates, sent out this email today to his team and supporters:

Well our trip to San Jose was a success.  After meeting with two laser companies we are happy to announce that we have an agreement to use the TRUMPF Trudisk 8002 industrial laser. This laser is the pinnacle of Industrial laser power and performance. It has an output of 8 kilowatts. We are very excited to have access to this laser.

The drawback is that the color of this laser is not well matched with the best solar cells. Our research has led us to believe we have a solution to this issue. We are going on an expedition to Detroit next week to test the underlying tech.

The issue we are struggling with now is how to aim the laser. It’s awesome power level requires exotic optics and/or special tactics. It would be no problem if we had $150,000 to throw at it. But because we have chosen not to be full time fund raisers we are looking for more creative solutions. This keeps with the spirit of the competition but of course represents a possible major barrier to our success. I will have to keep you posted on our progress in this area.

Brian
Captain
KC Space Pirates

This is MOST promising.  Anyone who has seen the Space Pirates in action for the past two competitions know how seriously this team has to be taken.  And now that they’ve ‘moved up’ to using Lasers, it has to be worrying to the other teams.

Less than 7 months to go…

2 thoughts on “Kansas City Space Pirates to use TRUMPF Lasers in 2008 Space Elevator Games

  1. Pingback: Queen’s Space Engineering Team to use TRUMPF Lasers - The Space Elevator Blog

  2. Pingback: National Space Society (NSS) Space Elevator team to use TRUMPF lasers - The Space Elevator Blog

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