Fasten Your 22,000 Mile Seatbelt
October 23rd, 2007 - 8:41 am
NASA still doesn’t have a Space Elevator winner:
The NASA-sponsored challenge is in its third year of running, and while technology is improving at a rapid rate, it’s still not quite ready to meet the Space Elevator challenge’s demands. Speed requirements have been boosted to 2 meters per second, and this year’s contest seems have gone off without the geeky rule disputes of last year. The University of Saskatchewan came closest to claiming the prize with its ground laser-powered bot, and only fell a few seconds short of the required speed.
I want a ride.
If you want to get unrestrained competition for cheap rides to low earth orbit, create a prize.
If you want an freight elevator to the ISS, call Otis.
What has Otis elevator got in common with an Atlas Launch Vehicle?
Otis, is, well, Otis. Atlas uses high energy engines from Pratt and Whitney.
Both Pratt and Otis are owned by United Technologies.
Going up?