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

Nov 4th, 2009 - themorningcall

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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, 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.

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Beam me up ... for a prize!
Nov 4th, 2009 - MSNBC
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
EDWARDS 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.
Success, frustration in Space Elevator Games
Nov 4th, 2009 - Washington Post
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A laser-powered machine has zipped thousands of feet up a cable dangling from a helicopter in a competition to develop space elevator technology.
Laser-powered elevator to space hits some snags
Nov 4th, 2009 - Boston
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.—A laser-powered robot failed to complete its climb up a long cable dangling from a helicopter Wednesday in a $2 million competition to test the potential reality of the science fiction concept of space elevators.
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's newest rocket completed a brief test flight Wednesday, the first step in a back-to-the-moon program that could yet be shelved by the White House.