Liftport Has Big Success With Little Robotic Lifter; NASA Elevator Competition in 3 days!

Liftport Space Elevator successfully tested a prototype robotic lifter designed to climb the carbon-nanotube Space Elevator, once constructed.


While many have outright scoffed at the idea, and others are still trying to figure out if it can even be done, Liftport is well on its way to perfecting the technology needed to make the Space Elevator a reality, including building the first carbon nanotube factory in Millville, New Jersey.
Once (yes, not "if") they are successful, Space travel will forever be changed.
I can envision fleets of Spacecraft fanning out across the Solar System, each launched for just a few dollars per pound.
Perhaps personal Spacecraft will finally become a reality too. You could build your own ship in your garage, and they will place it in orbit for you....cool.

In other Space Elevator News:

Starting Oct. 21, the Spaceward Foundation will help host the 2005 Elevator Games in Mountain View, California. NASA is putting up prize money from its Centennial Challenges program. Competitions will test Climbers and Tether strength. Their goal is to show the elevator is at least feasible and convince governments to start building one, by 2010.

I say the safe bet is on Liftport. They already have a Lifter and a plan for using it for something other than the Space Elevator.