A longing look at one space elevator design. Credit: Obayashi Corporation of Tokyo, Japan.

A longing look at one space elevator design.
Credit: Obayashi Corporation of Tokyo, Japan.

SEATTLE, Washington – The 2014 Space Elevator Conference is underway, sponsored by International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC).An international gathering of scientists and engineers have convened here at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. The meeting is being held August 22 – August 24th.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Space Elevator Architectures and Roadmaps.”

Experts here are taking on a number of challenges, from understanding the dynamics of a space elevator in the Earth’s atmosphere, weather data support for future space elevator operations to needed materials breakthroughs for use in fabricating an Earth to space elevator.

Discussions are also underway on building a lunar space elevator – literally tied to tapping into resources available on the Moon.

Abundant access to space

“The space elevator is one of the most magnificent engineering projects ever conceived. It promises abundant access to space and a multitude of benefits for humanity,” said Peter Swan, president of the ISEC.

“Our vision is a world with inexpensive, safe, routine, and efficient access to space for the benefit of all,” Swan said. “Our mission is to promote the development, construction and operation of space elevator infrastructure as a revolutionary and efficient way to space for all humanity.”

For more information on the meeting and the space elevator concept, go to the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) website at:

http://www.isec.org

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