Editor’s Note

Dear Fellow Space Elevator enthusiast,

In this edition, the ISEC Board is reflecting back on 2017 with our accomplishments, and looking forward to what we want to do in 2018. We also have a story about students who are getting excited about the Space Elevator, as well as the final Summer 2017 Intern report. There are also some exciting upcoming Space Elevator related events around the world that you will want to check out. Thank you for reading and lending your support in the development of Space Elevators!

As always, you will find notices of several open volunteer positions (a great way to help this project, even if you’re not a scientist or engineer) and a reminder that all ISEC reports are available FOR FREE in electronic (pdf) format at ISEC.org. There is plenty of work to be done!

If you want to help us make a space elevator happen, JOIN ISEC and get involved! A space elevator would truly revolutionize life on Earth and open up the solar system and beyond to all of us.

Please don’t forget to LIKE US on Facebook, FOLLOW US on Twitter, and enjoy the photos and videos that we’ve posted on Flickr and YouTube, all under our Social Identity of ISECdotORG.

Thank you,

Mark Dodrill
ISEC Webmaster

President's Corner

Achievements/Hopes -- January, 2018

This month’s newsletter will summarize our achievements this year and highlight out near-term future for ISEC.  As the President, I am able to take credit for the good work of all our volunteers – thanks everyone for the great year and the significant progress we have made towards our vision: A world with inexpensive, safe, routine, and efficient access to space for the benefit of all mankind.

OK let’s lay out our successes:

  • Successful International Space Elevator Conference [Aug 2017]

  • Added new Board member – Welcome Sandee Schaeffer – Education lead

  • Published Design Considerations ….. Apex Anchor and GEO Node

  • Multiple presentations: National Space Society, St. Louis; ISEC Seattle; International Astronautical Federation Congress, Adelaide; British Interplanetary Society, London; Students for Exploration and Development of Space, Orlando Florida; and others.

  • Multiple visits to schools: High Tech High [Calif], Arizona State Univ, etc.

  • Developed the powerful concept of a Galactic Harbour which combines the space elevator transportation system with space elevator commercial enterprise systems for a vision of a robust capability.

Now for the future hopes:

  • Of course we always look forward to the yearly conference in Seattle

  • Many more presentations around the world coming up this year

  • Robust involvement with the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference in Los Angeles [3 hour track on SE’s]

  • Support for the JSEA’s Black Rock Nev. Global Space Elevator Challenge

  • And of course, two more studies underway with expected publication dates.

  • With, a surprise activity showing up in the late May time period.

  • Expansion of the Galactic Harbour Concept to embrace growing enthusiasm inside the space elevator community.

Keep Climbing my Friends,

Pete Swan
President, ISEC

Space Elevator Architecture Note #14

Michael A. Fitzgerald

Published December 2017

The Delineation of the Galactic Harbour

Space Elevator Transportation System
versus
Space Elevator Enterprise System

Introduction

Some system engineering functional definitions crept into our publications without a determination of whether they were Transportation or Enterprise functions.  Makes them like orphans or foster children.  Those definitions should go through a vetting or adoption; in brainstorming sessions or mini-workshops.  During this year, newsletter readers are asked for help.  ISEC is conducting the first delineation brainstorming session by e mail.  Your opinions and insights are welcome, valuable, and needed!  But first, some background and a discussion of the process of delineation. No worries.  It is easy!!

The Galactic Harbour of mid-century and beyond will never happen unless we talk about it now.  For the last two years, the attendees at the ISEC Space Elevator Conferences robustly voiced their views about the Elevator and what it should do. These new ideas and enlarged visions have been reviewed and one “trend” was evident.  Every function cited was needed; in one way or another. However, little distinction was offered as to whether the function was Transportation related (functions supporting access to space) or Enterprise functions (functions supporting a business in space); at least not clearly.   We need to clean this up to better know what we are building and when.  We are building the Transportation System first; then the Enterprise System; according to our Strategic Approach.

Continue reading the article here.

Rierre Evellin Completes 2017 ISEC Summer Internship

Mr. Evellin is a recent graduate of the International Space University. He was required to accomplish research and provide a short thesis on a designated topic.  He chose a topic related to an active program within the European Space Agency and the development of a Moon Village.

Mr. Evellin’s Title and Executive Summary follow:

“Impact of the MoonVillage on a Lunar Space Elevator”

Reirre Evellin

This paper studies how a Lunar Space elevator and a MoonVillage have an excellent synergy when designed together. The material and equipment brought for the MoonVillage can be reused for the Lunar Space Elevator while the Lunar Space Elevator can help to substantially develop the Moon economy. Moreover, the location at the South Pole of the MoonVillage fits construction, mining, and manufacturing facilities which will provide in-situ resources for the Lunar Space Elevator.

Research Projects – Dr. John Knapman, Research Director 

2017 Achievements

The multi-stage elevator is a blend of ideas from the space fountain, the launch loop and High Stage One, which allows a space elevator to be built with materials that are available now or soon will be. We have done work on maintaining its stability and reducing its size below the ocean. We have produced a bibliography of relevant publications to help new researchers. A checklist for new ideas related to the space elevator is now on the web; it is intended to help innovators to assess new ideas on infrastructure. We also produced a couple of documents on balloon experiments. A successful seminar at the British Interplanetary Society included an exciting presentation by Adrian Nixon on single-crystal graphene.

2018 Expectations

We hope 2018 will see more progress on long, strong, light materials and on the multi-stage space elevator. We want to start implementing a comprehensive simulation package for the space elevator. Work on a space elevator for Mars is likely to progress in an interesting way.

Earth Port Update – Vern Hall, Earth Port Harbor Master

2017 Achievements

Continued to expand the concept for the Earth Port region its facilities that were the subject of ISEC’s published 2015 Position Paper that was presented at the 2016 Conference. The focus was on informing the ISEC community on various aspects of the existing world-wide transportation chain of ocean shippers, railroads, truckers, airlines and related industries. The main point was that the eventual operation of the space elevator would add a third dimension to this well established and ever evolving international system. Introduced such concepts as: blockchain technology and the Internet of Things (IofT) that the Space Elevator enterprise will someday tie into and at its initial HQ/POC.

Delivered a paper at the 2017 Conference which focused on various aspects of the Earth Port Access City and recommended that we give serious consideration to Honolulu, HI as the site rather than San Diego, CA. Under this recommendation, Honolulu would serve as the Access City for an Earth Port region to be located approximately due south of it on or near the Equator. During the preparation of this study, the availability of assigned space at GEO above such a location became a strong determining factor in the recommendation.

2018 Expectations

Will continue to work with and support ISEC’s Chief Architect as we further develop the details of the Galactic Harbour. Particular emphasis will be on defining various aspects of the Communications requirements within the Earth Port regional framework, including payloads to/and from the Port Access City, across the ocean to the Earth Port and the Space Elevator climbers up/down through the Earth’s atmosphere. The results of this delineation will lead to future near-term and long-term studies. The results of the on-going tether simulation work will also be of value to the further understanding of the RIRO and other dynamic forces that must be dealt with at the proposed floating Tether Termini platforms.

Will continue to review reports of advances in the overall transportation industry that may be adapted to the operations of the Earth Port. As an example, data-driven robotic technologies and equipment are now be developed for fully automated cargo terminals and autonomous service vessels (much like self-driving passenger vehicles). It seems likely this later technology could be readily adapted to the service vessels that will be operating within the Earth Port region.   

ISEC Social Media/Web Site – Mark Dodrill

2017 Achievements

2017 was a significant year for the ISEC web site.  We made all ISEC publications available on the web site for downloading by anyone for free, and to date 1,375 reports have been downloaded!  The technology behind the web site was changed, resulting in a much better look and feel, as well as fully supporting mobile devices.  We are keeping our Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn audiences informed about space elevator related news and technologies more than ever before.  The team did some Facebook Live recording during the August conference in Seattle.  The Space Elevator article on Wikipedia has also been significantly enhanced.

2018 Expectations

We are going to expand the Space Elevator Architecture, Research, and History areas of the web site to give everyone more access to the wealth of information available.  We are also looking into translating ISEC publications to other languages and vice versa.

Upcoming Space Elevator Related Events:

National Space Society
International Space Development Conference
Los Angeles, CA, USA May 24-27 2018
Space Elevator Track
Web Site for more information: http://isdc.nss.org/2018/

International Space Elevator Consortium
Space Elevator Conference 2018
Seattle Museum of Flight (Tentative)
Late August 2018 - Final date is TBD

Season of Giving

President’s Request

Please think about donating to a charitable organization, ISEC, during this season of giving.

Our acceleration towards a real space elevator this year has been exciting. As we have taken on more responsibilities, we have more opportunities. Your support goes towards programs such as ISEC Summer Internships. Thank you from the ISEC leadership team, especially your president.

Note: Donation button at www.isec.org – bottom center of every page – makes it easy.

Pete