International Space Elevator Consortium:
What We Do

Some words about us

The International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) is composed of individuals and organizations from around the world who share a vision of humanity in space.

Our Vision:

  • Space Elevators are the Green Road to Space while they enable humanity's most important missions by moving massive tonnage to GEO and beyond.

Our Mission:

  • The International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) promotes the development, construction and operation of a Space Elevator (SE) Infrastructure as a revolutionary and efficient way to space for all humanity. ISEC is made up of individuals and organizations from all around the world who share a vision of mankind in space.

What We Do:

  • Provide technical leadership promoting development, construction, and operation of space elevator infrastructures.

  • Become the “go to” organization for all things space elevator.

  • Energize and stimulate the public and the space community to support a space elevator for low-cost access to space.

  • Stimulate STEM* activities while supporting educational gatherings, meetings, workshops, classes, and other similar events to carry out this mission.

A Brief History

The idea for an organization like ISEC had been discussed for years; but, it wasn’t until the Space Elevator Conference in Redmond, Washington, in July of 2008, that things became serious. Interest and enthusiasm for the SE had reached an all-time peak; and, with Space Elevator conferences upcoming in both Europe and Japan, it felt that this was the time to formalize an international organization. An initial set of Directors and officers were elected and they immediately began the difficult task of unifying the disparate efforts of Space Elevator supporters world-wide.  ISEC’s first Strategic Plan was adopted in January of 2010 and it is now the driving force behind ISEC’s efforts. This Strategic Plan calls for adopting a yearly theme (for 2010 it was “Space Elevator Survivability – Space Debris Mitigation”) which focuses ISEC activities. Because of the common goals and hopes for the future of mankind, off-planet, ISEC became an Affiliate organization with the National Space Society, in August of 2013. (See History page)

Our Approach

ISEC’s activities are pushing the concept of space elevators forward.  These cross all the disciplines and encourage people from around the world to participate.  The following activities are being accomplished in parallel;

  • Yearly Conference – International space elevator conferences were initiated by Dr. Edwards in the Seattle area in 2002.  Follow-on conferences were in Santa Fe [2003], Washington DC [2004], Albuquerque [2005/6 –smaller sessions], and Seattle [2008 to the present].  At each of these conferences, there were many discussions across the whole arena of space elevators with remarkable concepts and presentations.  The current conferences [beginning in 2012] have been sponsored by Microsoft, Seattle Museum of Flight, Space Elevator Blog, Leeward Space Foundation, and ISEC. The last several conferences were co-sponsored by and held in the Seattle Museum of Flight.

  • Year Long Studies – ISEC sponsors research into a focused topic each year to ensure progress in a discipline within the space elevator project.  The first was in 2010 and evaluated the threat of space debris.  The second study, and resulting report focused on the Concept of Operations of space elevators.  The products from these studies are reports that are published to show progress in the development of space elevators. [see free pdf’s under “Studies”]

  • International Cooperation – The ISEC supports many activities around the globe to ensure that space elevators keep progressing towards a developmental program.  International activities include coordinating with the two other major societies focusing on space elevators; Japanese Space Elevator Association & EuroSpaceward.  In addition, ISEC supports symposia and presentations at the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Astronautical Federation Congress each year.

  • Competitions – ISEC has a history of actively supporting competitions that push technologies in the area of space elevators.  The initial activities were centered on NASA’s Centennial Challenges called “Elevator: 2010.” Inside this were two specific challenges: Tether Challenge and Beam Power Challenge. The highlight was when Laser Motive won $900,000, in 2009, as they reached one kilometer in altitude racing other teams up a tether suspended from a helicopter.  There were also multiple competitions where different strengths of materials were tested going for a NASA prize – with no winners.  In addition, ISEC supports educational efforts of various organizations, such as the LEGO space elevator climb competition, at our Seattle conference. Competitions have also been conducted in both Japan and Europe.

  • Publications – ISEC publishes a monthly e-Newsletter and yearly study reports, to help spread information about Space Elevators.

  • Reference Material – See Library, including a reference database of Space Elevator related papers and publications.

  • Outreach – People need to be made aware of the idea of a Space Elevator. Our Outreach activity is responsible for providing the blueprint to reach societal, governmental, educational, and media institutions and exposes them to the need for a Space Elevator. ISEC members are readily available to speak at conferences and other public events in support of the Space Elevator. In addition to our monthly e-Newsletter, we are also on Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter.

  • Legal – The Space Elevator is going to break new legal ground. International cooperation must be sought. Insurability will be a requirement. Legal activities encompass the legal foundation of the Space Elevator – international, maritime, air, and space law.  Also, there will be interest within IP, liability, and commerce law. Starting work on the legal foundation well in advance will result in a more rational product – legal opinions that pre-date a Space Elevator.