Space Elevator Technology Advancing With Events in Japan, USA

The space elevator (SE) concept, believed by many to be the future of human space access, is gaining increased international attention this month with an engineering competition in Japan and an international conference in USA. Japan, a member of the International Space Elevator Consortium, has also shown serious interest in SE technology, recently forming the Japanese Space Elevator Association (JSEA) and affirming confidence that they can build a space elevator for just US$9 billion. JSEA will be holding the '1st Japan Space Elevator Technical & Engineering Competition: Climb me to the Moon' on August 8-9 at the Nihon University. The competition is focused on developing fast climbing mechanisms to ascend a 150m tether. Unlike the American Power Beaming competition, a 12V battery will be used for power and no prize will be awarded. Focus on SE technology will continue next week with the '2009 Space Elevator Conference' at the Microsoft Center in Redmond WA. The conference, featuring SE experts such as Michael Laine (CR) of Liftport and Bryan Laubscher will include an in-depth look at SE concepts for beginners, the '2009 Tether Strength Competition,' and sessions on future impacts of SE, carbon nanotube research and roadmap workshops. Another SE Competition originally scheduled for this week at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, the 'Space Elevator Power Beaming Challenge,' was postponed until Sep or Oct due to technical issues. Pictured: (CL) JSEA Director Yoshio Aoki. (Credit: JSEA, Spaceward Foundation, Liftport)

27th International Astronomical Union General Assembly In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

More than 2,000 astronomers from over 70 countries will gather in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil August 3-14 to discuss and evaluate recent discoveries and observations at the 27th General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU is the largest astronomical organization with over 10,000 members 'promoting and safeguarding the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation.’ With significant government investments, Brazil has witnessed a surge of major growth and development in scientific and technological advancements, most notably through its participation in the Gemini and Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) projects. IAU President, Catherine Cesarsky (BR) believes astronomy in Latin America has matured and expanded, making Brazil the ideal choice to hold this year’s event. The program will feature a variety of science talks including Symposia, joint discussions and special sessions with speakers discussing topics in optical photometry, simulating chemistry and dynamics of molecular clouds and planetary systems as potential sites for life. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) will also be holding its Astronomy and Astrophysics from Antarctica (AAA) meeting on Aug 7 to coordinate astronomical activities in Antarctica which will advance understanding of Antarctic meteorology, as it applies to astronomical observations. (Credit: IAU, blipblip, kurdastros.org, zdnet.com)