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Highlift Systems' Space Elevator In The News Again

Posted by timothy on from the fireman's-key dept.

Kris_J writes "Highlift Systems may have found a second location for the anchor of their space elevator -- Perth, Western Australia. Apparently we have the calm waters and international airport that it needs, amongst other things. Slashdot has covered this company's efforts before: Oct 9, 2002 and, earlier, August 13, 2002, but it's worth discussing again since '[recent funding] has been given momentum by the Columbia shuttle disaster.'"

6 of 589 comments (clear)

  1. Great Glass by prodangle · · Score: 5, Funny

    Willy Wonka would love this!

  2. Re:Okay by Rubbersoul · · Score: 5, Funny

    See the world is round and Australia is at the bottom of it. So by putting it in Australia it can just kinda dangle off of earth into space (being that Australia is down under and all).

    I hope the clears it all up (or down as the case may be) for you.

    --
    man .sig
    No manual entry for .sig.
  3. Monorail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "But with a start-up cost of $17 billion, the idea needs strong US and Australian government support."

    Lyle Lanley: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
    Like a genuine,
    Bona fide,
    Electrified,
    Six-car
    Monorail!
    What'd I say?
    Ned Flanders: Monorail!
    Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
    Patty+Selma: Monorail!
    Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail!

  4. Ya know ... by B3ryllium · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think they will have to choose the music for this elevator VERY carefully. I mean, how long will it take to get up there? You don't want people to go insane and stuff.

    Although, it would make for a REALLY good tv-movie. :)

  5. Re:Australia? by GMontag · · Score: 5, Funny

    What happened to Sri Lanka? I thought the goal was to get as close to the equator as practical.

    No, Sri Lanka was to get it as close to Arthur C. Clarke as possible.

    --
    Eve Fairbanks says I drive a hybrid!LOL
  6. Re:Question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    Ideally the elevator could be set up so that the bottom would hang a few feet off the ground in midair.

    For technical reasons this only works when the bottom of the elevator ribbon is suspended a few feet about a small wicker basket; however, the idea is sound.

    This also alludes to the second problem in keeping the elevator vertical - once the material strength issues are solved, you still need to find someone who can play the flute indefinitely without stopping. The Perth placement is partly designed to take advantage of the circular breathing techniques developed and perfected by the local didgeridoo players.