Astronomers from the California Institute of Science have announced today the direct observation of a Space Elevator erected by an alien civilization outside our solar system, located around the second planet in the star system Epsilon Eridani.
Just like the great wall of China, which is the most space-visible human-made artifact on Earth, a Space Elevator is easily detected as a 100,000 km searchlight blinking on and off around the alien planet. NASA’s recently launched Kepler Space Telescope is especially designed to detect such beacons, and the detection circuits located the Eridani Space Elevator as soon as the telescope was switched on.
When asked about the significance of the discovery, ISEC’s president Ted Semon remarked that it is only logical that an alien advanced race would build a Space Elevator as they become a space faring civilization. “It is what I would do” he added. “This is also another example of science fiction predicting science fact. As is well known, the TV series Star Trek placed the planet Vulcan in the Epsilon Eridani system and now we find that there is actually an advanced civilization there.”
Scientists caution, however, that no more than 12 adults or 2000 lb (which ever is less) should be loaded onto the elevator at any given time, and that you should be careful of the closing doors. Also, if you have small children with you, you should prevent them from pushing all of the buttons as this could extend the trip by several days.
The third in the series of the Space Elevator Spring Chats, hosted by Marc Boucher at the 
Finally, saving the best for last, is the Space Elevator Games recap / teaser put together by the 
I received this word from Shuichi Ohno, Chairman of the 
The latest from Brian Turner, captain of the 
First up is the McGill Space Elevator Team. Their blog has a 
And the LaserMotive blog has the 
Work still continues on finalizing arrangements for the next Space Elevator Games. It has been reported in many places (but NOT this blog) that the Games are scheduled for April 26th-30th, or alternatively, April 27th-May1st. This may yet happen but is NOT yet certain. When the dates and location are set, you’ll hear about it first here on this blog and, of course, on the 
Speaking of lasers, LaserMotive’s Jordin Kare 
This 
The 
The 
Space Tethers and Technology
In Short Sharp Science*, a Science blog from New Scientist, Paul Marks 
I have just been informed that 
This year’s 
On the Liftport blog, Michael Laine put up a post detailing (in a very abbreviated fashion) his adventures (to date) with trying to get a Space Elevator built. This post; 
Markus Klettner, Executive Director of 
This morning, the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) sent out it’s first press release, basically saying “Hey world – we’re here!”. The real fun is going to start over the next several weeks. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to set up our plans for 2009. I don’t want to prematurely mention anything specific now – but rest assured that we will be doing concrete work to further efforts in getting a Space Elevator built and we’re going to have fun along the way. Stay tuned!
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The next item mentioned is the tether itself. To quote from the relevant frame; “Basically a giant nanotube ‘grown’ from a geostationary Space Station.” Travel on this tether will be by (again quoting); “…magnetically levitated shuttles (which) will carry passengers and cargo at less than two percent of current costs making the stars accessible to the common man.” Hmmmm.