The Aug. 2005 IEEE Spectrum article A Hoist to the Heavens, reported on the details of space elevators -- a super strong lightweight cable that would allow elevator cars to travel from the earth's surface into space. While these have been the subject of numerous science fiction stories, they are now getting closer to reality. The LiftPort Group announced last week that it had successfully completed its second round of preliminary tests of its high altitude platform and robotic lifters.
In the test, LiftPort launched an observation and communication platform one mile into the sky and maintained it in a stationary position for more than six hours while robotic climbers moved up and down a ribbon attached to the platform. The platform was suspended with high altitude balloons. The climbers did not make it all the way to the top, but did achieve heights of more than 1,500 feet. LiftPort obtained a waiver from the FAA to use airspace in Arizona for the test. The platform is a proprietary system that LiftPort calls HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance).
Long before the space elevator makes it into space, LiftPort plans to use HALE for near term commercial applications including security, high altitude observation cameras, and acting as a relay platform for various wireless services. These could be deployed to provide radio, cellular or Internet service after natural disasters or for real-time surveillance of the damaged region.
"The LiftPort Space Elevator will consist of a carbon nanotube composite ribbon eventually stretching some 62,000 miles from earth to space," Liftport said. The LiftPort Space Elevator will be anchored to an offshore sea platform near the equator in the Pacific Ocean and to a small man-made counterweight in space. Mechanical lifters are expected to move up and down the ribbon, carrying such items as people, satellites and solar power systems into space."
For more information on the company, visit www.liftport.com.
