Japanese construction giant Obayashi announces plans to have a space elevator up and running by 2050
PHOTO: The space elevator will transport people and cargo at a fraction of the cost of Earth-based rockets.(Obayashi Corporation)
RELATED STORY: Andy Thomas says Australia ideal for space tourism base
RELATED STORY: Company offers wedding day blast into space
MAP: JapanVIDEO: Watch computer simulations of the space elevator in action (7pm TV News NSW)
A major international study in 2012 concluded the space elevator was feasible but best achieved with international co-operation and Mr Ishikawa from Obayashi agreed.
"I don't think one company can make it, we'll need an international organisation to make this big project," he said.
Experts said the space elevator could signal the end of Earth-based rockets which are hugely expensive and dangerous.
Using a space shuttle costs about $22,000 per kilogram to take cargo into space. For the space elevator, the estimate is about $200.
Constructing the space elevator would allow small rockets to be housed and launched from stations in space without the need for massive amounts of fuel required to break the Earth's gravitational pull.
It is also hoped the space elevator could help in solving the world's power problems, by delivering huge amounts of cheap solar power or storing nuclear waste.
It would also be a boon for space tourism.
Obayashi is working on cars that will carry 30 people up the elevator, so it may not be too long before the Moon is the next must-see tourist destination.
PHOTO: Obayashi says it may not be too long before the moon is the next must-see tourist destination. (Obayashi Corporation)
View attachment 10273
RELATED STORY: Andy Thomas says Australia ideal for space tourism base
RELATED STORY: Company offers wedding day blast into space
MAP: JapanVIDEO: Watch computer simulations of the space elevator in action (7pm TV News NSW)
A major international study in 2012 concluded the space elevator was feasible but best achieved with international co-operation and Mr Ishikawa from Obayashi agreed.
"I don't think one company can make it, we'll need an international organisation to make this big project," he said.
Experts said the space elevator could signal the end of Earth-based rockets which are hugely expensive and dangerous.
Using a space shuttle costs about $22,000 per kilogram to take cargo into space. For the space elevator, the estimate is about $200.
Constructing the space elevator would allow small rockets to be housed and launched from stations in space without the need for massive amounts of fuel required to break the Earth's gravitational pull.
It is also hoped the space elevator could help in solving the world's power problems, by delivering huge amounts of cheap solar power or storing nuclear waste.
It would also be a boon for space tourism.
Obayashi is working on cars that will carry 30 people up the elevator, so it may not be too long before the Moon is the next must-see tourist destination.
View attachment 10273
