Elevator to space? They're really trying

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.—Rocketing into space? Some think an elevator might be the way to go.

That's the future goal of this week's $2 million Space Elevator Games in the Mojave Desert.

In a major test of the concept, robotic machines powered by laser beams will try to climb a cable suspended from a helicopter hovering more than a half-mile (one kilometer) high.

Three teams have qualified to participate in the event on the dry lakebed near NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards. Attempts were expected from early Wednesday through Thursday.

Read the whole story on Boston or try our Toolbar
Bookmark and Share
blog comments powered by Disqus

Related stories:

  • Beam me up ... for a prize!

    Nov 4th, 2009 - MSNBC

    Beam me up ... for a prize!Reed Saxon / AP LaserMotive's David Bashford, right, prepares a robotic climber for its Just days after $1.65 million was won in a NASA-backed rocket contest, it looks as if big money will be awarded in the $2 million Power Beaming Challenge as well.

  • Success, frustration in competition to develop outer space elevator

    Nov 4th, 2009 - San Jose Mercury News

    Success, frustration in competition to develop outer space elevatorEDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE — A laser-powered machine has zipped thousands of feet up a cable dangling from a helicopter in a competition to develop space elevator technology.

  • Space Elevator Games in Mojave Desert working on an levator straight to space

    Nov 4th, 2009 - NY Daily News

    Rocketing into space? Some think an elevator might be the way to go. That's the future goal of this week's $2 million Space Elevator Games in the Mojave Desert. In a major test of the concept...

  • An Elevator into Space? They're Really Trying

    Nov 4th, 2009 - FOXNews

    EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California - Rocketing into space? Some think an elevator might be the way to go. That's the future goal of this week's $2 million Space Elevator Games in the Mojave Desert. In a major test of the concept...

  • NASA competition aims to make space elevators more than just a science fiction fantasy

    Nov 4th, 2009 - themorningcall

    EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) - Rocketing into space? Some think an elevator might be the way to go. That's the future goal of this week's $2 million Space Elevator Games in the Mojave Desert. In a major test of the concept...

More stories ...

Related videos from YouTube:

More videos ...

Google Search: