Liftport

by Laine, Michael J.

• ISBN13: 9781592221097
• ISBN10: 1592221092
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-15
• Publisher: Meisha Merlin Pub

Summary

Seen as merely a thought experiment for over a century, the space elevator is now understood to be achievable in our foreseeable future. It promises to open up the Solar System to all of humanity, and this book gives you a peek at that future. Interweaving both science fiction stories involving the space elevator along with non-fiction articles on the basic technical, financial, legal, social and political issues surrounding the space elevator, this book will give you an entertaining and informative crash course in the space elevator. After reading this book, you will understand both why we want to build a space elevator as well as how it will be built.

Table of Contents

Our Next Great Leap: The LiftPort Space Elevator Book Introduction The LiftPort Staff	11	(6)
The Space Elevator: `Thought Experiment', or Key to the Universe?	17	(15)
Sir Arthur C. Clarke
Charles Sheffield and The Web Between Worlds	32	(4)
Kim Stanley Robinson
How To Build A Beanstalk (fiction)	36	(8)
Charles Sheffield
Technical Issues Basic Space Elevator Physics	44	(5)
Dr. John LoSecco
Tribute (fiction)	49	(12)
Todd McCaffrey
The Deployment of the Space Elevator	61	(7)
Timothy Cash
The Hermit of the Skies (fiction)	68	(10)
Mike Resnick
Paul Crilley
The LiftPort Anchor Station: Where the Space Elevator Journey Begins	78	(4)
Rudolph Behrens
The Billion-Ton Diamond (fiction)	82	(3)
Sir Arthur C. Clarke
The Space Elevator Ribbon	85	(6)
Dr. Arthur Smith
High Space (fiction)	91	(10)
John Helfers
The Lifter: The Space Elevator's Robotic Workhorse	101	(7)
Ben Shelef
Into the Black (fiction)	108	(11)
Janny Wurts
Powering A Space Elevator	119	(7)
Dr. Jordin T. Kare
The Counterweight: The ``Other'' Space Elevator Anchor	126	(9)
Blaise Gassend
Basic Facts---an email exchange between	135	(2)
Jody Lynn Nye
Michael Laine
Going Up? (fiction)	137	(15)
Jody Lynn Nye
Construction and Operational Hazards to the Space Elevator	152	(8)
Robert Carlson
The End of the Line (fiction)	160	(2)
Sir Arthur C. Clarke
How Safe is the Space Elevator?	162	(4)
Edward Greisch
Financial Issues: Preliminary Space Elevator Budgetary Planning	166	(9)
Eric Olson
The Business Basics of Space Elevator Development	175	(7)
Michael Laine
Return on Investment: How the Space Elevator Will Pay for Itself	182	(6)
Patrick Boake
Turning Space Launch into a Business	188	(10)
Joan Horvath
Disrupting Space: How the Space Elevator May Affect Existing Industries	198	(6)
Robert Brodbeck
Rockets and the Space Elevator	204	(6)
Tom Nugent
Legal and Military Issues	210	(13)
Keil J. Ritterpusch
Mark J. Fiekers
The Rings of Earth (fiction)	223	(42)
William H. Keith
Defense of the Space Elevator Against Threats of Violence	265	(6)
Michael Breslauer
Sociopolitical Issues: An Historical Overview of the Space Elevator Concept	271	(5)
Monte Davis
Why International Public Inclusion is Important	276	(5)
Piotr Jagodzinksi
The Space Elevator and the Environment: Low Cost Access to Space is Key to our Energy Future	281	(4)
Ralph H. Nansen
Will A Bridge to the Stars Save the Starfish?	285	(7)
Derek Shannon
Excerpt from Foundation's Triumph (fiction)	292	(11)
David Brin
The Space Elevator: A Bridge to our Dreams?	303	(4)
Dr. Stewart Tansley
Vertical Journey (fiction)	307
Kevin J. Anderson
Abbreviations	i
Further Information and How to Get Involved	ii
(Footnotes)	iv
Contest Rules and Entry Form	viii