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• Space elevators have been a scientific goal for several years. Scientists and astronauts are now moving closer to the idea of an elevator leading to space, and have even offered prizes for breakthroughs or designs of potential models. Now there are several competing models, including one from Japan. A space elevator would offer access to a satellite docking station and would require cables that are 180 times stronger than steel.TimesOnline: Japan Hopes to Turn Sci-Fi Into Reality With Elevator to The Stars

• Fast Facts

  1. First envisioned by Arthur C. Clarke's The Fountains of Paradise in 1979TimesOnline: Japan Hopes to Turn Sci-Fi Into Reality With Elevator to The Stars
  2. Cables would need to be approximately 22,000 miles longTimesOnline: Japan Hopes to Turn Sci-Fi Into Reality With Elevator to The Stars
  3. Cables would need to be light, strong and able to withstand items in the atmosphereTimesOnline: Japan Hopes to Turn Sci-Fi Into Reality With Elevator to The Stars
  4. Could carry people, generators, or radioactive wasteTimesOnline: Japan Hopes to Turn Sci-Fi Into Reality With Elevator to The Stars
  5. Would use 100 times less energy than a space shuttleTimesOnline: Japan Hopes to Turn Sci-Fi Into Reality With Elevator to The Stars

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  NASA | Space Shuttle | Japan

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