Taking a quick break from re-writing Mike.Sierra.Echo to tell you about the super-awesome ISEC academic contest to build a space elevator! I’m not the only person who thinks a space elevator is the future of exploration, so does the ISEC!
Building a space elevator assumes we’ve solved a number of engineering challenges – even the cable itself would have to be made of some material we haven’t invented yet. But don’t lose hope – we can focus on some of the more achieveable areas of a space elevator and that’s the focus of this competition. Space Elevator Academic Challenges – 2025 is co-sponsored by International Space Elevator Consortium and National Space Society. Just think – you can bring Mike.Sierra.Echo to life as a school project!
I Like This – What Do I Do?
Here’s what’s involved. First off, it’s geared toward high school and University Students:
HIGH SCHOOL:
Development of a Settlement on the Space Elevator’s Earth Apex Anchor
The first challenge, for High School students, is to develop and design an “intermediate space settlement” on the Space Elevator’s Apex Anchor to house over 10,000 individuals. This will act as a “waystation” for missions to the Cosmos. You will need to consider what the design, missions, structure, organization, architecture, life support, etc., at such a waystation would be like. How big would it need to be? What would be the optimal size? How will it take advantage of the massive lift capabilities of the Space Elevator providing a Green Road to Space?
UNIVERSITY:
Development of a Space Settlement at the Earth-Moon L5 Point—Utilizing Earth’s Space Elevator
The second challenge, for University Students, focuses on a development and plan for the Space Elevator to support the construction and logistical requirements for a 10,000-to-140,000-person space settlement at the Earth-Moon L5 point utilizing Earth’s Apex Anchor. Could we build a community at the Earth-Moon L5 point? You will need to consider the size and scope of the project. What would the architecture, structure, life support, activities look like? How could construction and logistical support be facilitated using a space elevator(s)? What would be your logistics and transportation plan from Earth’s Apex Anchor? You will need to develop an operational concept to build and sustain an Earth-Moon L5 community. What would be the role of a space elevator(s) in building and supporting this effort? How will you take advantage of the massive lift capabilities of the Space Elevator providing a Green Road to Space.
That’s cool – What Else?
Here’s a video from last year’s winner – Henrique Etrusco Ribeiro Moreira:
This contest builds on the Space Elevator challenge of 2023-4 – could we actually solve all the engineering challenges of a space elevator, just like Mike’s dad in Mike.Sierra.Echo? You might be the one to crack the code. Check the web page for submission guidelines – I’m overwhelmed with excitement to see if we can actually make a space elevator real in my lifetime.
