Going Up? Top Floor, Space Elevator Games 2009 | Universe Today

Description

BREAKING NEWS: LaserMotive successfully qualified for the $900,000 prize! Their official speed was 3.72 m/s. Way to go! See more below.

Though it's unlikely that anyone will be pressing the elevator button labeled ' Space ' on one of the competitors' vehicles this year at the 2009 Space Elevator Games , there is hope that a winner will walk away with the $1.1 million prize. Three different teams will compete to see if any can send a laser powered vehicle up a thin but strong ribbon 1km (.6 miles) into the sky.

This is the 5th year of the games, which started in 2005. The games are part of NASA's Centennial Challenges program, which awards monetary prizes in the attempt to spur new technologies. This is a busy week for the program; as we covered earlier today, the Northrop Grumman Lunar X-prize announced two winners , and is part of the Centennial Challenge program.

To win the $1.1 million prize, one of the teams must propel their vehicle 1 km (.6 miles) into the sky at an average of at least 5 m/s (16.4ft/s). A second place prize of $900,000 will be awarded ...

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http://www.universetoday.com/2009/11/04/going-up-top-floor-space-elevator-games-2009/

http://www.universetoday.com/2009/11/04/going-up-top-floor-space-elevator-games-2009/