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Success, frustration in Space Elevator Games

Associated Press - November 4, 2009 6:34 PM ET

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) - A laser-powered machine has zipped thousands of feet up a cable dangling from a helicopter in a competition to develop space elevator technology.

LaserMotive of Seattle qualified for at least $900,000 in the $2 million NASA-backed Space Elevator Games, which began Wednesday at the Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base.

LaserMotive's vehicle climbed 2,953 feet (nearly 1 kilometer) in just over four minutes and then repeated the feat.

The Kansas City, Mo., Space Pirates went first. Their vehicle was too slow to qualify for a prize but apparently was only about 160 feet short of the top when it had to stop.

Electric space elevators powered by laser beams are theorized as a way to reach space without using rockets.

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