Editor’s Note

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the July 2017 Newsletter. Here you will find current technical content from our engineers and new opportunities to get involved. Most importantly this is a reminder to register for the annual Space Elevator Conference this August in Seattle! If you wish to submit a paper, the July 10th deadline for abstracts is fast approaching. The three day programs included technical lectures, group brainstorming sessions, a Family Science Fest and full access to the Seattle Museum of Flight where the conference is held.

In this edition you will find further updates from Vern Hall and Micheal Fitzgerald on the Earth Port and Space Elevator Architecture as well as info on our recently published Apex Anchor and GEO node study. We are also excited to announce a call for presentations/papers the Space Elevator Symposium at the British Interplanetary Society in November. President Pete Swan continues to offer up inspiration for progress in the SE world. Thank you for reading and lending your support in the development of Space Elevators! 

As always, you will find notices of several open volunteer positions (a great way to help this project, even if you’re not a scientist or engineer) and a reminder that all ISEC reports are available FOR FREE in electronic (pdf) format at ISEC.org. There is plenty of work to be done!

If you want to help us make a space elevator happen, JOIN ISEC and get involved! A space elevator would truly revolutionize life on earth and open up the solar system and beyond to all of us.

Please don’t forget to LIKE US on Facebook, FOLLOW US on Twitter, and enjoy the photos and videos that we’ve posted on Flickr and YouTube, all under our Social Identity of ISECdotORG.

Thank you,

Sandy Curth
ISEC Publicity Director

ISEC Conference 2017 Registration Open

Great news, you can now register for the 2017 ISEC Space Elevator Conference, August 25-27, 2017 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA, USA. Taking off from the ISEC Research Team's current focus the theme of this year's conference is Space Elevator Simulations. How can we effectively model the complexities of both the Space Elevator's physics and infrastructure to bring this idea into reality? Some simulations have already been created, but they are just starting points for the extensive and ongoing simulation efforts needed to prove the safety and practicality of the Space Elevator. Join us for a weekend at the Seattle Museum of Flight to here from leading researchers and work though these ideas with fellow scientists, engineers and general SE enthusiasts. If you are interested in presenting research please see the note below.

Register by July 9th for "early-bird" rates. Student discounts may be applied as well.

Events at the conference include:

  • 3 day Technical Program

  • Presentations and Q&A

  • Working sessions

  • Discussions of the 2016-2017 Research Topic

  • Elevator Speech Contest

  • Youth Robotic Climber Competition

We look forward to seeing you there! For further details on the Technical Program, lodging, etc. please head to http://isec.org

Call for Papers, abstracts by July 10th

If you wish to be considered for a presentation time slot please submit an abstract of your research to through our Conference Management Tool.

Topics

Topics for papers should fall into one of these categories.

  1. Space Elevator Simulations

  2. Carbon nanotube tensile strength research progress and other strong materials research relating to space elevators

  3. Science, engineering, and technology topics relating to space elevators

  4. Operations, maintenance, ROI, and other business and financial topics relating to space elevators

  5. Space elevator impact on the future and public outreach to societal institutions; government, media, unions, the educational system, etc.

  6. Treaties, laws, insurability, and other legal issues and topics relating to space elevators

More details regarding formatting and requirements can be found on our Call For Papers page. Thank you! We look forward to reviewing your research. 

See you soon!
ISEC Leadership Team

President's Corner 

Share the Belief with Others

We, at ISEC, believe that the space elevator will work and will be there to change the world and its approach to movement off-planet. However, we understand that there is a finite possibility that the material will not develop within a time frame acceptable to us. As such, we are charging ahead to prepare for the opportunity - when it occurs. In addition to running experiments, lowering the risk for the project, and developing the body of knowledge necessary to proceed, we must share our belief with others around the world. As such, we were invited to the National Space Society's yearly conference in St. Louis [http://isdc2017.nss.org]. I would like to announce that we, as a small team, succeeded in spreading the word to many involved in space. We all enjoyed many one-on-one conversations during the conference.

Our ISEC small team [Pete Swan, Dennis Wright, Michael Fitzgerald, Mark Haase, Bryan Long, and Michael Laine] presented multiple times during the weekend and supported a table in the Exhibit hall. In addition, space elevators were mentioned many times in other sessions. The next chart shows our "Space Elevator Track;" however, there were many other interactions - such as a presentation of SEs to all the attending students [Fitzer lead that one], a talk comparing science fiction to science fact and the writing skills to project belief [Pete], and support to an Author's Lounge concept [show books - our study reports].

table of ISDC talks

I believe the commitment to these types of venues are worth the effort and expense. The word is out there on space elevators; however, the understanding is not. ISEC, and its friends, must be out there within the public discussing the concepts and ideas that are now surfacing. The six Study Reports from ISEC, the IAA Study Report, the Obayashi Corporation presentation and tether climber activities by the Japanese all lead me to believe we are more knowledgeable now than ever before. The material is developing in an exponential research world while the Space Elevator is being supported by ISEC, JSEA and others. One key to our future success will be the ability to reach out to our customers [public] and "touch them" with the belief that space elevators will be real. ISEC would love to support anyone with a special set of briefing charts presenting the space elevator, as of summer of 2017. Please email me and request the charts for your presentation inside your local world.

Keep Climbing my Friends --

Pete Swan

ISEC Published the 2016 Study Report

Design Considerations for the Space Elevator
Apex Anchor and GEO Node

One of the major activities within ISEC is the development of the body of knowledge needed to initiate development of a space elevator transportation system. One aspect of this is the yearly focus on a single topic and a study team approaching the chosen topic. Each year, ISEC has published a study report. This year, the report discussed the Apex Anchor and the GEO Node. The pdf version will be on the ISEC website soon and the hard copy will be available through www.lulu.com [or off our website]. The 82 page document contains some new insight into the space elevator and should be exciting reading. This research resulted in two basic conclusions:

  • The deployment and continued stability of the tether are the primary function of the Apex Anchor.

  • The GEO Node is expected to become the centerpiece of a Space Port that provides "overhead" services such as repair/assembly, refueling climbers, loading and offloading supplies, spacetugs and many other services to a myriad of customers. 

space elevator schematic

Board of Directors ElectS new Member:
Michael "Fitzer" Fitzgerald

During the June 20, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting, Fitzer was elected to the board as a general member. He has tremendous experience in space and in the development of space systems. He has "been there - done that" within the world of space systems to include: program manager of major systems, management of high technology developmental offices, supervision of system engineering teams, and conductor of field demonstrations of systems. Within ISEC, he has lead a study team and was principle author for Space Elevator Architectures and Roadmaps, developed a series of papers on space elevator acquisition processes, presented space elevator topics at the yearly ISEC conferences and other national venues, and currently holds the position as the Chief Architect for ISEC. Please welcome "Fitzer" to the ISEC Board.

Skip Penny finishes his tenure as a member of the ISEC Board.

At the end of May, Skip's responsibilities have been passed on to other members of the board after a very productive tenure. He lead the organization from the position of Vice President and contributed greatly in our development as an organization, especially in the area of our yearly studies. He lead [and wrote a majority of] the first two studies of ISEC [Space Elevator Survivability and Space Elevator Concept of Operations]. I [Pete Swan] will miss him greatly.

BIS Symposium on Space Elevators

We are excited to announce a series of talks at The British Interplanetary Society coming up in November of 2017.  Two of our Research Team members, Dr. John Knapman and Peter Robinson, presented on the "future history" of the space elevator last month and have arranged for a more extensive dive into SE technology and progress for a day of talks and discussions on November 7, 2017 at the. In addition to Peter and Dr. Knapman, Martin Lades, founder of Liftport will be presenting. 

Space Elevator Research

Kickstarter Checklist

This checklist is intended for people with new ideas that are different from the usual design for the space elevator. We want you to think about how they relate to what's already been done or to the key issues that we have already identified for fixed infrastructure intended to launch or assist in launching spacecraft.

Top three questions

  1. Is the structure naturally stable?

    1. If not, how can it be stabilized?

  1. What mechanism is required to raise spacecraft from Earth's surface?

    1. What provides the energy and momentum to accelerate spacecraft to orbital velocity or beyond?

    2. What provides the energy to lift spacecraft to orbital altitude or beyond?

  1. What is the required strength of the material?

    1. Use specific strength: tensile strength in GPa divided by mass density in kg/m3.

Additional questions

  1. How will it cope with space debris and natural meteoroids?

  2. Explain the balance of forces in the structure.

  3. What method of construction or erection is proposed?

  4. What are the advantages of this proposal over ideas that have already been published?

    1. The Launch Loop

    2. The Orbital Ring

    3. The Space Elevator

i.     In its classical form

ii.     In the multi-stage form

  1. The Space Fountain

  2. The Skyhook or Bolo

  3. What are the best locations for the Earth station or stations, if any?

  4. How does the structure cope with winds and other atmospheric conditions?

  5. How does it cope with radiation, including the following?

    1. Solar radiation

    2. The effects of the Van Allen radiation belt

    3. Cosmic rays

  1. What will be the total mass of the structure?

  2. What further study is required?

New History Committee Lead Moves towards Robust Oral History Program

After the success of "Space Elevator - A History," the history committee is pushing off aggressively towards a robust Oral History program. To lead this new emphasis, ISEC has selected Matthew Farrell as the new chair for the ISEC History Committee. The process being implemented by Matthew follows an approach:

  • Committee selects list of potential interviewees [currently 22 potentials]

  • Questions are individualized for interviewee and sent to them

  • Interview is conducted over phone or Skype [if not available locally]

  • Record the interview

  • Transcribe the interview into a word document

  • Publish the interview [ISEC website, magazine, &/or conference]

ISEC encourages its members to help with this process. We currently have the Summer Interns conducting at least one interview. In addition, we usually conduct interviews at the yearly conference. However, we encourage each of you to help the process by conducting interviews at your convenience. We can provide the suggested questions and store the recorded and transcribed interviews. Please coordinate with Matthew on this program.

EARTH PORT Update #8                                                                             

As of this writing, the biggest news in the maritime world is the collision at sea between the ACX Crystal, an NYK chartered container ship, and the USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), a guided missile destroyer. This tragic event occurred during the mid-watch (0000-0400) on June 16, 2017 in heavily travelled shipping lanes about 56 nautical miles from the US Naval Base at Yokosuka, Japan. Many stories have been and will be published about this incident but the biggest question is: "How could this happen in light of today's shipboard technologies and procedures?" One or more of the available systems (GPS, collision avoidance radar, ship-to-ship communications, etc.) if properly functioning and utilized, should have prevented this tragedy.

USS Fitzer

In the context of the current Earth Port concept, it raises questions about what must the eventual Space Elevator enterprise do to assure the safety of the Floating Operations Platform, the Tether Transfer Platform(s) and all OGVs and service craft within its exclusion area and beyond. Based on the previously published concept sketch (see Earth Port Update # 5 in the February edition of the ISEC newsletter) the Earth Port will have to assure safety and security for:

  • 3,030 square miles (7,850 sq. km) of tropical ocean surface waters

  • 9,400 cubic miles (39,300 cu. km) of subsurface ocean beneath and around the Earth Port facilities and

  • 75,400 cubic miles (314,200 cu. km) of air space above the Earth Port plus

  • more than 1,000 nautical miles of shipping and aircraft lanes to and from the Earth Port Access City.

The bottom line is that we (the Space Elevator enterprise), in order to meet our operational criteria of "safe, reliable and routine", cannot allow such an event to happen. This update will outline some of the equipment and systems that will be available at IOC and beyond to aid in meeting these criteria.

As I've discussed in previous Earth Port updates, today's maritime industry is benefiting from a number of technological advance in equipment, facilities and communications systems. I believe that we can safely extrapolate into the future and then apply subsequent advances in these areas to the design, construction and operation of the Earth Port.

In addition to patrolling the surface of the ocean within the (say 100 km diameter) of the Earth Port's exclusion area with high speed watercraft, helicopters, seaplanes and aerial drones, the local wave and weather (winds, clouds, precipitation) conditions must be continually monitored and analyzed so that the cargo and payload handling operations at the Floating Operations Platform (FOP) can be conducted in the safe and efficient manner. Similarly, launch and retrieval operations on the floating Tether Terminus Platform(s) must have weather and wave "clearances" from the Earth Port's Operations and Control Center. As previously described, there will be a fully equipped, state-of-the art oceanographic and meteorological station aboard the FOP. As reported in The Maritime Executive (www.maritime-executive.com) one of the tools this station may have is currently under development for the U.S. Office of Naval Research by General Dynamics Applied Physical Sciences. The commercial variant of this system, FutureWaves™, was recently introduced at the 2017 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, TX. The system uses custom-designed X-band radar to identify and "track" sea waves at a significant distance (currently 5 km) from the floating platforms. With specialized computer processing, the measured wave field can be evolved forward in time, allowing prediction of the precise platform motion that will occur. This will allow necessary reorientation of the platforms and their wave barriers and shut down of cargo handling and launch/retrieval operations if the conditions are too severe.

The capabilities to patrol, secure and defend the vast underwater volume of the Earth Port region and its approaches will be enhanced by the use of drone technologies and equipment. Research in underwater drone technology continues today around the world. One example of this was recently described in Port Technology Daily (www.porttechnology.org/news/). In Sweden, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (UAV) is being developed by Kronsberg Maritime for delivery in February 2018. This UAV, or drone, will be primarily devoted to ocean environmental research but its range of 300 km and ability to operate in depths up to 3 km place it in the arena that would useful to the Earth Port in the future. It's "on board" sensors and communications equipment could be designed to perform several surveillance functions that may be required by future operations in the Earth Port's underwater regime.

With respect to locating and controlling all of the waterborne and airborne service craft as well as the climbers within the volume of air space above the Earth Port, Port Technology also reported that ExactEarth, a provider of satellite Automatic Identification System (AIS) data services, claims that it has achieved a world first for the global maritime community. Its exactView RT system consists of more than 60 maritime satellite payloads, designed, built and operated by The Harris Corporation. The technology is hosted aboard the Iridium NEXT constellation of satellites. As reported, these advanced maritime payloads cover the entire maritime VHF radio band to deliver AIS and other data services from any vessel, anywhere on the globe, relaying that data securely to customers in real-time. Future versions of this and similar technologies can certainly be adapted to the needs of the Earth Port's small fleet of vessels, aircraft, underwater craft and, importantly, the Space Elevator climbers that may be in the Earth Port's "envelope" at any given time.

In response to the obvious question raised by the Fitzgerald/Crystal collision, the Space Elevator enterprise must at all times be in positive control of all assets within the sphere of operations of the Earth Port. Meeting our goals of safe, reliable and routine service by innovatively adapting and applying near future versions of the technologies discussed above...and many others...as we establish the Space Elevator's dramatic new role in the global transportation chain may be one of the products that will attract investors and clients to the enterprise as discussed in Architecture Note #10.

Vern Hall
Earth Port Harbor Master

Architecture Note #10

Personal Prologue 

This is an Architecture Note. It is the opinion of ISEC's Chief Architect. It represents an effort to document ISEC's ongoing science and engineering discussions, and is one of many to be published over time. Most importantly, it is a sincere effort to be the diary, or the chronicle, of the multitude of our technical considerations as we progress; along the pathway developing the Space Elevator.

Michael A. Fitzgerald

Our Long-Term (30+ year) Planning Horizon

It may be the hurdle to possible venture funding or other funding from industry

Introduction

This note will be a discussion about how we can seek support from industry funding sources. These sources provide funding grants for development of new technologies and new concepts. These same sources are seeking predictable return on their investments. They invest in technical concepts that will be systems and architectures in the future; or a key part of the same. It is important that we understand their financial motivation and their financial strategy. We would make a deal when their investment strategy matches with our technical strategy and performance.

The Planning Horizon and a Strategy to attract investors

Our "strategic approach" is to link the Space Elevator Transportation System to the Space Elevator Enterprise System; within a Unifying Vision: the Galactic Harbour. We see that happening by 2040 or 2050. Investors see the timing of the payback as an important element of their decision. They won't openly question our technical competence; but they are curious about the likelihood of "payback"; and are wary of the "present value" of that payback. I'll cite 2047 as the payback year.

If an investor's payback in 2047 were to be $1000, the present value of that amount in 2017 would be less than $100 for normal bank rates (a loan) and less than $25 for risk investment grants. The 30 year duration really kills us. If the duration was reduced to 6 years, that $25 present value grows to over $400; a 1600% improvement!!

A ha! A strategy emerges!!! We need to reduce the duration of the payback period from 30 years to 6 years. As a result, the present value available to angels grows substantially; by 1600% in my example. We could accomplish this miracle by segmenting our strategic approach into five 6 year plans; with a valuable product at the end of each segment. This valuable product must be something the investor wants.

By Coincidence ...

In late April, I had lunch with an innovator in the commercial space industry. He got an interesting look on his face when I mentioned our 30 year planning horizon. His basic position was that - from his industry's planning standpoint -- 30 years was just too long. He cited his cycle; prescribe a level of performance to a satellite provider - who builds the satellite in 5 years; and it operates for 15 years. He pointed out that even DARPA- the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - doesn't have a planning horizon 30 years long; 7 years maybe, 5 years more likely. If a company cannot get DARPA's attention with a project concluding in 5 or 7 years, that company will not receive DARPA funding. The same was largely true of independent research within companies.

I listened intently. After lunch, it hit me! The technical advice I was getting was the same as the fiscal advice; segment our next 30 years into 5 planning periods or development phases. Each of these phases concludes with an available technology or technical product that someone else also wants. We want it to progress to our long-term destination; the other party wants it because it is part of their future vision. By segmenting our journey in this manner, we become more "interesting" to our sources of funds.

A Way to Proceed

We now have two strong hints that the ISEC's next 30 years should be composed of 5 six-year planning phases. With six-year planning phases, we can improve the respective "Present Value" of the products of each phase; and we can offer each prospective investor a more reliable prediction of our pending technical success. Further, that timing correlates with the planning cycles of other potential industry partners and government funding sources. (Before anyone gets excited -- ISEC is still not looking for government funding! -- But, our prospective partners might be).

So, what are these phases? In truth, we don't exactly know; but we have some good ideas and a few criteria to consider.   For now, the phases will be like these six initial suggestions:

  1. An on-orbit demonstration that is climber and tether operations related.

  2. Earth Port prototype construction project; in the mid-Pacific (near Hawaii - to lure partners to paradise).

  3. Materials - environmental assessments

  4. GEO Node stressing CONOPS of small service space craft.

  5. Tether deployment and / or repair.

It is likely that there are more than 6 phases, and different timing than these phases; but more about that in a subsequent Architecture Notes.

Some thoughts about the five phases

ISEC needs to examine what products these 5 efforts would deliver and identify potential partners with interest in the preliminary offerings:

  • An on-orbit demonstration that is climber and tether operations related.

  • ISEC needs more information about the Tether - Climber interactive dynamic environment. The product of this period would be improved dynamic statistics and probably some "wear & tear" insights.

    • Potential Partners è Space Operations Industry members; perhaps within their internal research efforts.

  • Earth Port prototype construction; in the mid-Pacific (near Hawaii - to lure partners to examine).

    • There are several Earth Port considerations - Sea Floor attachment; Tether Reel in - Reel out operations, Tether Terminus movement, and extended sea state, weather & climatology understanding. Recall - the Earth Port's region is 40 kilometers high; at least.

    • Potential Partner è The Maritime and Port Industry members.

  • Materials - environmental assessments

    • Materials technologies will be exploding as we approach our pre-IOC years. ISEC is (or will be) interested in a wide variety of long lasting, light weight, repairable materials for the Space Elevator Transportation System deployment and construction.

    • Approaching the Transportation System IOC, the Space Elevator Enterprise System will have an insatiable appetite for new materials with similar criteria. In addition to all that, all involved will be seeking information about the utility and efficiencies of the new materials produced in the newly accessible space environment.

    • Don't forget about additive manufacturing; nee 3-D printing.

    • Potential Partners è There will be many!

  •  GEO Node stressing CONOPS of small service space craft.

    • Proximity Operations in crowded GEO space needs improvements. The improvements will be based on sensing technology, sensor data reduction technologies, and Artificial Intelligence guided proximity operations management.

    • Potential Partners è Space Industry operators are very interested; now!

  • Tether deployment and / or repair.

    • By the time we drop the seed Tether from GEO ...; ISEC will need mature technologies that will enable deployment and, later, repair of the Tether.

    • Future clients will be interested in deploying rigid tethers.

    • Prominently, ISEC needs a special remotely piloted vehicle ... to fly the earth-bound end of the Tether to the Earth Port locale; snaring it there - to start the whole tether build process.

    • Potential Partners è

    • JAXA NASA, ESA, UAE

Other Bases to touch

  1. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

    • DARPA loves demonstrations ... with "legitimacy" due to common objectives.

    • DARPA also sees itself as enabling business closure. ISEC should talk about this.

  2. The Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites program industry members

    • Contact the companies involved & those that were not selected; seeking partners.

  3. Small Business Innovative Research programs in the government

  4. Japan's various players

  5. United Arab Emirates Space Agency

Other thoughts

  • ISEC should construct plans for demonstrations and experiments per phase. These detailed plans clarify our objectives and offer potential partners the substance they need.

Achieving "business case closure" must be presented in any discussion with companies; and in a different way - discussed with government entities.

In closing

ISEC must get off its island. It needs to meet with those of common purpose and partner with them. Our strategic approach must be shared with others; especially those that would fund our efforts.  See you next month.

Michael A. Fitzgerald 

Why Join ISEC?

I was recently reminded that we need members of the ISEC to run an association. Amazing realization - now what? Ok, my thought process came up with some reasons for each of our newsletter readers to go to our website and sign up [www.isec.org ]

Critical Support:

ISEC needs help in its preparation for space elevators. We need to lower the risks associated with the development and we need to prepare for the initiation of a project. These lead to many items that need help in funding to include:

  • Fund research into the development of a Space Elevator

  • Fund our new ISEC Summer Internships

  • Spread the word that a Space Elevator is becoming "Real"

  • Help recognize the fact that a Space Elevator Will make Earth a "space faring civilization."

  • Help provide a transportation infrastructure that will enable true entrepreneurial enterprises in space and beyond

  • Improve the Body of Knowledge with respect to development of a major space transportation system.

Real Rationale:

To put this in perspective, I have stolen the humorous approach by David Letterman to list the Top Five Reasons to join ISEC:

#5] You want to know where your mother's yarn has gone.

#4] Bragging rights - be the first on your block to be a card carrying member

#3] Great Pick-up lines at Cocktail Party

#2] Develops your unassailable credibility as a rocket scientist

And, the number one reason to join ISEC is:

            #1] Self-Satisfaction at furthering space exploration — Priceless!

Pete Swan

We invite anyone to contribute to the newsletter by answering this question.
Please send your inputs to: pete.swan@isec.org.
[note: your submission is permission to print.]