NASA'S SPACE ELEVATOR GAMES: A HISTORY

摘要

This paper provides a historical overview of the NASA Centennial Challenges relating to space elevators between 2005 and 2009. The challenges were for a strong tether competition and a power beaming contest. The paper outlines the rules for each challenge, notes the prize money involved, names the teams taking part, and gives a summary of the results. The games have proved inspirational for further technological development of space elevator systems and have led to continued interest in such competitive events in other parts of the world, notably Japan.