LaserMotive Finds Success In Space Elevator Competition 258
Bucc5062 writes "LaserMotive has achieved the first step towards the creation of a working space elevator by qualifying for the $900,000 prize in a contest sponsored by NASA. To achieve this first level, LaserMotive needed to propel a platform up a cable dangling from a helicopter at over 2 m/s. They hit a top speed of 4.13 m/s. The next level of qualification will be to achieve a climb speed greater then 5 m/s. LaserMotive beamed roughly 400 watts of laser power to a moving target at a distance of 1 kilometer, as part of the vertical laser alignment procedure. The target was a retro-reflective board a little larger than 1 meter on a side. The contest will continue for another two days with at least two other teams challenging for the prize. To win the Power Beaming competition, the LaserMotive system uses a high-power laser array to shine ultra-intense infrared light onto high-efficiency solar cells, converting the light into electric power which then drives a motor. 'Our system will track the vehicle as it climbs, compensating for motion due to wind and other changes. Building on our experience from last year’s competition, we are designing an improved system able to capture the full $2,000,000 prize.'"
Finally (Score:2, Funny)
Uh-oh (Score:5, Funny)
What if someone farts in the space elevator? You'll be stuck for way more than a few floors.
Re:Uh-oh (Score:4, Funny)
Small methane processing plant = more energy for the motors. Remember to load up on beans before you go onboard, and fit your flatulence intercept unit on your butt before you close up your spacesuit.
They could but there is a problem, (Score:5, Funny)
(A C Clarke had a story in which large numbers of flat mirrors were used to vaporise a football referee. Obviously, everybody holding a mirror had to steer it. In reality, the target would have been so bright they would probably not have been able to aim effectively.)
"In a nutshell, (Score:4, Funny)
it's the difference between catching a lofted cricket ball or baseball, and catching a fly."
to complete your allegory in terms of childhood classic movies, the solution to the problem is less bad news bears and more karate kid
Helicopters in Space (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Are we serious? (Score:5, Funny)
Soluble, sure, but only in aqua fortis.
Or did you mean solvable?
Well Archimedes did say, "Give me a powerful enough solvent, and a large enough bathtub, and I'll dissolve the Earth."
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Re: a laser capable of delivering 400 watts (Score:4, Funny)
Surgeon General's Warning:
Don't look down with remaining eye.
Re:Next time, check the dictionary before posting. (Score:1, Funny)
how about "loosening" your tight ass
Re:Good to hear. (Score:5, Funny)
making the issue of getting out of our atmosphere a relatively dull process
...until someone creates space elevator music. Then it will become a dull, agonizing process.