LUXEMBOURG 5-6 Dec 2009 Third International EuroSpaceward conference opens

The Third International Conference on Space Elevator and Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Tether Design, organized by the EuroSpaceward Association, brings together experts in extreme Space engineering, nanotechnology and power-beaming from around the world. EuroSpaceward's flagship mission is to send astronauts and payloads spacewards on an Earth-tethered carbon nanotube or ribbon. The challenges include developing tethers that are both long enough and strong enough.

EuroSpaceward describes the concept as an inexpensive and safe means of travel from Earth into Space.

The International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) is the governing body of organizations in the United States, Europe and Japan that are committed to developing and establishing the technology.

According to "How Stuff Works," a carbon nanotubes composite ribbon anchored to an offshore sea platform would stretch to a small counterweight approximately 62,000 miles (100,000 km) into space. Mechanical lifters attached to the ribbon would then climb the ribbon, carrying cargo and humans into space, at a price of only about US $100 to US $400 per pound (US $220 to US $880 per kg).

The encyclopedia likens the technology to the tetherball game, in which a rope is attached at one end to a pole and at the other to a ball. "In this analogy, the rope is the carbon nanotubes composite ribbon, the pole is the Earth and the ball is the counterweight. ... the ball is placed in perpetual spin around the pole, so fast that it keeps the rope taut. The idea behind the space elevator, the counterweight spins around the Earth, keeping the cable straight and allowing the robotic lifters to ride up and down the ribbon. Jul/09

CONTACT:

info@eurospaceward.org

RELATED READING:

EuroSpaceward Association
http://eurospaceward.org/

EuroSpaceward 2008
http://eurospaceward.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=108

ISEC
http://www.isec.info