Space Elevator: Most of a rocket’s fuel is spent blasting through Earth’s thick atmosphere and out of the planetâ€s strong gravitational field. But here’s an alternate strategy for getting payloads up to space: Construct a 62,000-mile-long cable jutting straight out from the equator, hold it in place with centripetal force, then lift satellites and spacecraft out of the atmosphere with a giant freight elevator.
One major hang-up: Cable strong enough to support the system does not yet exist, though it could be made from carbon nanotubes.
Shown above is “The Climber” which sill carry the payload. Photo by John Macneill
Japanese scientists are also attempting stepping into space - planning a lift that will take passengers 100,000 kilometres high. The project could see the realisation of a science fiction vision.The lift's carriages, which will themselves require new feats of engineering, would move up and down cables stronger and lighter than any material ever woven. They would be anchored to the ground and disappear into the sky, eventually reaching a satellite docking station orbiting above the Earth.Scientists hope that as well as carrying human passengers, the carriages could also haul huge, solar-powered generators that could power homes and businesses back on Earth. It could also remove barrels of nuclear waste, dumping them into space."Just like travelling abroad, anyone will be able to ride the elevator into space," Shuichi Ono, chairman of the Japan Space Elevator Association, told The Times.The project has sparked swift reaction from other quarters: several competing space lift projects are now believed to be under way, with NASA among those involved.An international conference is to be held in Japan in November, aiming to draw up a detailed timetable for the machine's production.It is thought the concept of the lift was first envisioned by the sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke, in his 1979 book The Fountains of Paradise.
Another great leap forward for China 
Jon Swaine, London
September 24, 2008
Chinese astronaut Nie Haisheng is helped out of the re-entry capsule of China's second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou VI, in 2005. Photo: Reuters
CHINA'S ambitious space program is to take a giant leap this week when three astronauts blast off on a mission to take the nation's first space walk.
The Long March rocket, in position at the north-western Jiuquan launch centre, will lift the Shenzhou VII capsule into orbit late on Thursday for China's third manned flight.
According to government websites, Air Force Colonel Zhai Zhigang, 42, will make history when he steps out of the capsule on Friday or Saturday.
The 68-hour mission will bring China closer to its goal of building a small space laboratory, and later a space station, and will ramp up national pride after the Olympics and before National Day on October 1.
"My impression is that everything is going well in the final days before the launch," said Morris Jones, an Australian analyst who has closely studied China's space efforts.
"/>China became the third nation after the US and Russia to independently put a man in space when Yang Liwei, a fighter pilot, flew aboard the Shenzhou V in October 2003. In 2005, two astronauts manned the five-day Shenzhou VI mission.
Jon Swaine, London
September 24, 2008
Chinese astronaut Nie Haisheng is helped out of the re-entry capsule of China's second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou VI, in 2005. Photo: Reuters
CHINA'S ambitious space program is to take a giant leap this week when three astronauts blast off on a mission to take the nation's first space walk.
The Long March rocket, in position at the north-western Jiuquan launch centre, will lift the Shenzhou VII capsule into orbit late on Thursday for China's third manned flight.
According to government websites, Air Force Colonel Zhai Zhigang, 42, will make history when he steps out of the capsule on Friday or Saturday.
The 68-hour mission will bring China closer to its goal of building a small space laboratory, and later a space station, and will ramp up national pride after the Olympics and before National Day on October 1.
"My impression is that everything is going well in the final days before the launch," said Morris Jones, an Australian analyst who has closely studied China's space efforts.
"/>China became the third nation after the US and Russia to independently put a man in space when Yang Liwei, a fighter pilot, flew aboard the Shenzhou V in October 2003. In 2005, two astronauts manned the five-day Shenzhou VI mission.
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