The role of the International Space Elevator Consortium is to lead the refinement of space elevator concepts towards the future.  There are many areas where we can make a difference because we care and we dedicate time and energy towards solutions.  Some of the topics that ISEC has studied are:  space elevator survivability from space debris, operations concept of a space elevator, and design characteristics of tether climbers.  Two on-going studies are:  space elevator architectures and roadmaps along with a study for design characteristics of the Marine Node.  Each of the study areas was looked at and discussed in detail with ideas and improvements from mid-2010 baseline designs.  

In addition, ISEC is responsible for keeping track of developments of the principle technology which could enable the concept.  Materials for the 100,000 km tether have been discovered and are being developed around the world for many reasons.  The principle drivers for tensile strength CNTs are projects such as composite bodies for airlines or cars and high tensile strength ropes for elevators, gondolas or bridges.  Each of these commercial drivers for material development is important towards refinement of the space elevator enabling material.  The frustration of not having a material to start our full-up design is real.  However, as researchers understand, discoveries and leapfrog improvements happen randomly and cannot be scheduled.  But, in addition, researchers know that most projected improvements in materials occur in surprising ways - many times when unexpected.  

Key to our responsibilities at ISEC is that we must proceed with a total project design characterization, and hope for an early breakout of strong and light material sufficient for our cable.  CNT's, in management parlance, are a disruptive technology with a deceptive growth pattern.  The necessary breakthrough could be next week or many years from now.

We, at ISEC, believe our task is to keep charging ahead on all aspects of space elevators that we can effectively develop and plan for ["hope for"] a breakout of material capability.  

Keep Climbing my Friends --  Pete Swan

This is LAST CALL for the 2015 ISEC Membership drive.  The reduced rates, noted below, are only good through the end of February, so don't delay! During this month new members may join and current members can renew at a reduced rate!

Those who join or renew at the Professional level will only have to pay $58, a $10 discount from the normal $68 rate. Professional level members are entitled to receive the most recent print and electronic versions of any ISEC Publication.  These include any issue of CLIMB, the Space Elevator Journal or any ISEC Report.

Those who join or renew at the Student level will only have to pay $20, a $5 discount from the normal $25 rate.  Student level members are entitled to receive the most recent electronic version issue of any ISEC Publication.  These include any issue of CLIMB, the Space Elevator Journal or any ISEC Report.

So, take advantage of the reduced rates, visit the ISEC member join/renew page and join or renew your membership in February!

On March 7th, Dr. Peter Swan, the president of ISEC, will give a presentation at SpaceUp Phoenix.  He will talk about Space Elevators and the current state of development and will interact with the crowd to answer questions.

If you are going to be in the Phoenix area at that time and would like to speak to Dr. Swan or just learn more about Space Elevators, then be sure to Sign Up to attend.

And, you can "Like" the SpaceUp Phoenix Facebook page to stay current with the event.

ISEC supports STEM activities from across the world and hopes to lay out this special opportunity for USA students.  As this is a time critical situation, we have published an announcement for our students to think about.  ISEC believes we will provide an engineering marvel when the first few space elevators are in operations.  This belief should lead to Grand Challenges that can be fulfilled.

As explained in more detail below, the contest requires creating a short video about one or more of the "Grand Challenges", a video that will show how achieving these Challenges will improve life here on earth.   For this contest, perhaps you would like to create a video to promote the concept of Space Elevators improving the world.  For example, to address the Grand Challenge of "Make solar energy economical", one could show how space elevators could greatly facilitate the implementation of space based solar power and make world-wide electricity almost free.

We especially support the idea of students dreaming of their impacts upon the future.

Details are below - the Deadline date is March 2nd, so don't delay!

Throughout history, engineering has advanced civilization from the way we connect with each other, to the way we heal, to how we get around, and simply have fun. But society still faces major obstacles.

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has outlined 14 game-changing opportunities for the 21st century called the Grand Challenges for Engineering. We want you to review the 14 Grand Challenges, and then create and submit a one to two minute video that shows how achieving one or more of the NAE Grand Challenges for Engineering will lead to a more sustainable, healthy, secure, and/or joyous world!