The space "elevator" is one of the oldest dreams of science fiction, but the possibility of its actual construction has been considered for years, as it would greatly facilitate activity in space. In the case of the LiftPort Group (Seattle), such a construction concept is being considered for the transport of cargo to and from the Moon.
According to a report by space.com, such a program would leverage existing technology and be based on simple principles. The basic idea is a "vehicle" that would move up and down on a cable, connected/"anchored" to the surface of the Moon, and allow for "soft" landings on Earth's satellite.
Specifically, the LiftPort Group's vision involves launching a rocket from Earth to a special manned space facility (PicoGravity Laboratory) at a Lagrange point, from where the cargo will be transported to the Moon. The program is called LSEI (Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure) and, according to the LiftPort Group, transporting people to the Moon will be possible from the very first years of operation of such a facility.
As LiftPort Group president Michael Lane tells space.com, progress is being made on the program, as the Moon has attracted intense interest over the past year.
As stated on the LiftPort Group website, the goal is to make the Moon economically accessible for exploration, colonization and extraction of natural resources.
Robotic airship for the skies of Venus
Engineers from Northrop Grumman and L'Garde are working on a concept for a small unmanned aircraft that could roam the skies of Venus for up to a year. According to space.com, the Venus Atmospheric Maneuverable Platform (VAMP) would be able to stay aloft for long periods of time, combining aircraft and aircraft technologies and collecting information about Venus and its atmosphere.
VAMP will be a large, yet lightweight, inflatable aircraft with a wingspan of 46 meters. The design of a possible mission includes transporting it into orbit by a spacecraft and then deploying and inflating it while still attached to the “mothership”. The craft will then be released and enter the planet’s atmosphere smoothly, without the need for much protective equipment.
The craft will fly at an altitude of 55-70 kilometers, using solar engines during the day and hovering at lower altitudes after sunset. Its payload can range from 20 to 200 kilograms, depending on the altitude at which it is intended to fly. The data collected will be transmitted to the "mothership", in orbit around Venus, helping the scientific world understand how the planet transformed from a world that was probably capable of supporting life billions of years ago, to the extremely high-temperature "hell" that it is today.
