In light of the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia, United States’ space transportation policy is being closely examined, and the National Space Society stands prepared to assist policymakers in that effort. Safe, reliable, and low cost space transportation is vital to all aspects of our space program, including scientific missions, human space exploration, commercial operations, and national security applications.
Additionally, we believe it is vital to examine and invest in potential breakthrough technologies-technologies that may require a high level of innovation and fundamental research, but have the potential to dramatically change our concept of space transportation. One such innovation is the space elevator. Once the realm of science fiction, technology has been developed in recent years that may enable this remarkable system to be developed and used as a means of reaching Earth orbit. If successful, it would revolutionize space travel.
One research team, in partnership with High Lift Systems, has taken a leading role in this area and is actively seeking to construct a space elevator sometime in the next decade. We believe you will be intrigued by their work, and I, along with the House Aerospace Caucus and the Space Transportation Association, would like to cordially invite you to attend a briefing on this project, which will be held Friday, March 21, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in 2325 Rayburn HOB and will be conducted by Dr. Brad Edwards, a former Los Alamos National Laboratory physicist who is a leader in this field.
If you would like additional information about the project, you can visit www.highliftsystems.com. I hope you can join us on March 21.
