LaserMotive Finds Success In Space Elevator Competition

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.'"

Comments

Finally

[Shane112358]

Ad Astra! Ad Luna! Ad Lagrange Point 2!

Uh-oh

[Pete Venkman]

What if someone farts in the space elevator? You'll be stuck for way more than a few floors.

Re:Uh-oh

[natehoy]

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,

[Kupfernigk]

The sun is effectively at infinity, so the reflection from the parabolic mirror will come to a focus at some distance from the mirror and thereafter diverge. This won't work. You would need, in fact, a large array of flat mirrors which were steerable so they all converged on the target, and continued to do so as it rose. This could be technically very difficult indeed. It makes a lot more sense to use electricity to power one laser which then only requires steering. You can generate the electricity with solar panels if you like.

(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,

[circletimessquare]

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

[digitalPhant0m]

Now we've just got to get the helicopter to drop the rope from space, and we're set.

Re:Are we serious?

[IndustrialComplex]

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."

Now if only..

[nightfire-unique]

..we had some great engineers to rush this projects. :)

Re: a laser capable of delivering 400 watts

[MRe_nl]

Surgeon General's Warning:
Don't look down with remaining eye.

Re:Next time, check the dictionary before posting.

[Anonymous Coward]

how about "loosening" your tight ass

Re:Good to hear.

[FiloEleven]

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.