WC#1 - Space Elevator (pg. 533-534) Ryan Thurmer

The space elevator is a probable Earth-to-Space transportation device that would allow for easier, cheaper, access to space. I had previously heard of such a system prior to reading this in WC, and was able handle some of the carbon nano-fibers a group here at U of M is using to build a prototype. As awesome and farfetched as the idea of a Space Elevator may sound it’s extremely important that we follow through with the idea, and space exploration in general! The development of the space program has brought to Earth tons of scientific data about Earth our moon and beyond (such as some evidence for a changing climate), and countless innovations that we use on Earth every day: smoke detectors, enriched baby food, modern pavement, in-ear-thermometers, better cardiac pacemakers, scratch-resistant glasses…etc.