Laser-powered robot works like a space elevator

William Atkins
Thursday, 05 November 2009 19:56

Science - Space

Elevator:2010 provides monetary awards for climbers, ribbons and power-beaming systems.

The competition is operated by a partnership between Spaceward Foundation and the NASA Centennial Challenges.

The teams entering the Power Beaming competition, from November 4 to 6, 2009, must power a robotic vehicle one kilometer (about 0.62 mile, or nearly 3,300 feet) vertically up into the sky using only energy beamed to the vehicle from the ground.

Check out the competition’s website at: “Elevator:2010 - The Space Elevator Challenge.”

According to The Spaceward Foundation, the organization “… is a 501(c)(3) public-funds non-profit organization dedicated to furthering space science and technology in education and in the public mindshare.” [Charter]

With the successful climb of their robot, the LaserMotives won US$900,000.

The company’s statement after the accomplishment was: "The entire team is exceedingly satisfied that our system performed this well today.” [TG Daily: “Space elevator climbs nearly 1km high”]

The goal of the competition is to build a tether strong enough and light enough in weight to allow a payload to reach geosynchronous orbit, which is about 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above mean sea level.

To accomplish this goal, the tether would need to extend over 97,000 kilometers (60,000 miles) above the Earth’s surface.

To learn more about space elevators, go to The Space Elevator Reference.

A live Webcast of the Power Beaming competitions is found at: Space Elevator Games.