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A Space Elevator Experiment

The dream of public transportation into space is looking as if it is going to become a reality in our life time. An elevator that will take equipment and people to outer space is not as far fetched, or as far into the future as it seems. Once relegated to the realm of science fiction, the concept is now becoming a reality. With advancements in technology in both methods and material, it is predicted that the first space elevator will be built within the next 15 to 20 years. Any company or individual involved in the development of these technologies will surely be a success.

How is this technology going to be developed? Well, rather than leaving this up to traditional venues such as high tech companies and educational institutions, the Spaceward Foundation, sponsored by NASA, has come to the realization that there is a great deal of potential for ideas and technological advancement outside of these traditional venues, in the general public. The result of this realization is the establishment of several "games", or competitions, centered around the advancement of space travel related technologies. These competitions are open to the public. For a relatively small entry fee "Joe Blow" is able to pit his (or her) wits against the best of them. Up for grabs are many prizes, substantial in relation to the needed investment needed to compete in these games.

The Elevator 2010 Space Elevator Games is one of these competitions. The third annual competition will be held in New Mexico in October of 2007. The past 2 years have shown that there is a great deal of potential for technological development in the chosen public competition model. Each year in this competition the requirements, as well as the prizes, have increased. This year, a climber weighing between 10 and 25 kg must climb a ribbon 100 meters at an average rate of not less than 2 meters per second. Extra points will be given according to the amount of payload the climber is able to carry. The prize purse for the competition this year is $500,000.00. $325,000.00 for first prize, $125,000.00 for second and $50,000.00 for third.