Operational Lunar Space Elevator planned by end of 2019

By the end of 2019, Liftport has the goal establish an operational Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure using:

* Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Technology
* “Sputnik-like Simplicity”
* A Single Launch Solution

LiftPort Group will make the Moon economically accessible for exploration, settlement, and extraction of natural resources by designing, constructing and operating a Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure (LSEI). The LSEI will transport cargo and people to and from the Earth-Moon Lagrange 1 (EML1), through a soft-landing, down to the surface of the Moon.

Located at the EML1, LiftPort Group will build and operate the PicoGravity Laboratory – a crewed research station with energy, fuel resupply and docking facilities for larger missions deep into the solar system. LiftPort opens up the Moon and the rest of the solar system to humanity.

LiftPort’s proposed research will develop practical, near-term solutions for construction and expansion of a Lunar Elevator. The study will include characterization of materials; analysis of required rocketry and robotics; and evaluation of landing sites and methods of anchoring to the Lunar surface. Additionally, Ribbon spooling, infrastructure deployment, and micrometeorite mitigation techniques will be explored.

Progress on the Space Elevator Kickstarter

The space elevator climbing robot,. Neil, is about 80% complete – and has been at 80% since September. The hold-up is weather. The window for launch in the Seattle region has closed until the end of spring. Assuming they get the FAA, Navy and Air Force clearance that they are requesting, Liftport anticipating a May launch. They showed the robot at the International Space Elevator Conference in August.

The work on the robot and kickstarter is described here

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