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Another Space Elevator Conference is in the books, three very interesting and successful days.\u00a0 There were a lot of highlights and, in no particular order (and just my own opinion, of course) they are;<\/p>\nAnother Space Elevator Conference is in the books, three very interesting and successful days.\u00a0 There were a lot of highlights and, in no particular order (and just my own opinion, of course) they are;<\/p>\n
The attendance of several people from Japan and the Japan Space Elevator Agency (JSEA)<\/a>.\u00a0 They are very, very interested in partnering with ISEC (or someone) to try and turn their Climber competition into a world-wide event.\u00a0 I think this is a great idea, but as always with these things, it takes a “champion”, someone willing to spend the time in the US to actually make this happen.\u00a0 There were some ideas as to organizers floated during the conference and I think more will show up.\u00a0 I hope this happens.\u00a0 Regardless, it was good to see the Japanese contingent.\u00a0 Outside of ISEC, they are the only other organized group, to my knowledge, that is working to advance the cause of the space elevator.\u00a0 The fact that they are all nice people and fun to be around is just an added bonus.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>The increase in expertise and skill sets within ISEC.\u00a0 During my four-year term as president, ISEC became a “real” organization; we became a 501c3, elected a Board of Directors, came up with Strategic Plans, began creating ISEC Reports and CLIMB Journals and began to sponsor the ISEC Space Elevator Conference.\u00a0 Dr. Peter Swan became president at last year’s Conference and is really beginning to leverage his network of business, military and aerospace contacts that he has built up in his long and extensive career.\u00a0 People such as Skip Penny, Michael Fitzgerald and Vernon Hall are all veterans of fields that have a direct bearing on being able to actually build a space elevator.\u00a0 Their expertise will help us advance our understanding of a space elevator at a more rapid rate and with more knowledge than had been possible previously.\u00a0 Pete has also brought in other speakers and contacts and has, in general, greatly raised the professionalism and knowledge of the ISEC network.<\/p>\n