[LINK] Japan sets out plans for space elevator

[Roger Clarke]

At 16:16 +1000 28/9/08, David Boxall wrote:
>This may seem wacky, but the idea gets raised with increasing frequency
>so there must be something to it.  Implementation could have significant
>impacts on telecommunications, particularly in remote areas.

The Wikipedia article is a masterpiece of clarity:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator


><http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2226676/japan-sets-plans-space-elevator>
>
>>  A consortium of scientists and industrial firms has formulated a plan
>>  to build a 'space elevator' that would dramatically lower the cost of
>>  getting into orbit.
>>
>>  The Japan Space Elevator Association has published plans for the
>>  structure, which it estimates could be put in place for as little as $9bn.
>>
>>  The group believes that the project would revolutionise the cost of
>>  satellite communications systems, and make orbital manufacture
>>  economically feasible.
>>
>>  "Just like travelling abroad, anyone will be able to ride the elevator
>>  into space," Shuichi Ono, chairman of the Japan Space Elevator
>>  Association, told /The Times/.


-- 
Roger Clarke                  http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/

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