An initial top-level view of a Space Elevator concept through space systems architecture and space systems engineering. A first step in an aggressive development program to build a Space Elevator.

In the last year, the International Space Elevator Consortium assessed that basic technological needs can be met with current capabilities: and, each segment of the Space Elevator Transportation System is ready for engineering validation. Because of the availability of a new material as a potential Space Elevator tether, the community strongly believes that a Space Elevator will be initiated in the near term. Included in the book is a series of appendices that are tremendous references to the status of the space elevator today. Included are a lexicon of space elevator terms, over 750 references in the bibliography, short descriptions of eight ISEC year-long studies and two IAA 4-year studies on space elevators, as well as a summary of over 20 Architectural Notes covering the development of space elevator technologies.

The International Space Elevator Consortium has conducted a year-long study addressing the issues associated with how to start the development of space elevators. This report is the result. The process for developing an architecture for a new system of systems has many steps. Each step leads to a technological roadmap leading to a mature engineering structure. Five segment roadmaps are developed: Tether Climber, Tether, Marine Node, Apex Anchor and Headquarters Primary Operations Center. The initial set of challenges for each segment is established. These will fuel a series of demonstrations pushing the development team to Culminating Demo's that resolves all those challenges. Then, Implementation Plans will be written and executed resulting in an Initial Operational Capability (IOC). This study is an excellent step in the ongoing analysis of the technological feasibility of space elevators.

The authors take the reader through the history of the concept, technical design and economic practicalities of building an elevator to space, and, ultimately, the implications of what such a low cost transportation system would mean to society. Based on three years of NASA-funded studies and written for the technically literate layperson, Edwards and Westling discuss the recent technological advances that now make the space elevator feasible. They conclude by addressing the effects that the space elevator could have on mankind's future from communications and energy to colonizing space.

As the digital economy changes the rules of the game for enterprises, the role of software and IT architects is also transforming. Rather than focus on technical decisions alone, architects and senior technologists need to combine organizational and technical knowledge to effect change in their company’s structure and processes. To accomplish that, they need to connect the IT engine room to the penthouse, where the business strategy is defined. In this guide, author Gregor Hohpe shares real-world advice and hard-learned lessons from actual IT transformations. His anecdotes help architects, senior developers, and other IT professionals prepare for a more complex but rewarding role in the enterprise. This book is ideal for: Software architects and senior developers looking to shape the company’s technology direction or assist in an organizational transformation Enterprise architects and senior technologists searching for practical advice on how to navigate technical and organizational topics CTOs and senior technical architects who are devising an IT strategy that impacts the way the organization works IT managers who want to learn what’s worked and what hasn’t in large-scale transformation

Under the editorship of David Raitt, this timely book brings together for the first time the record of people, places, developments and activities, in fiction and in fact, of the space elevator - a 100,000 km long, meter wide, ribbon reaching up from the Earth and into space along which robotic climbers that will travel to bring payloads into orbit at a fraction of the price of rocket launches. The chapters in the book cover the early pioneers who dreamt up the concept initially some 120 years ago; the work of modern day scientists and engineers who have developed the concept into doable plans; how the concept has been portrayed in novels, films and art; the conferences at which interested people could present and discuss their work and ideas; the global community that has grown up around space elevators and the competition challenges that have been held; and what the future may hold.

The International Space Elevator Consortium conducted a year-long study on the development of a space elevator Earth Port. This report addresses the functional requirements and missions leading to a mature engineering complex along the equator. The report represents the culmination of efforts by multiple contributors describing the functions and operations of the Earth Port and how it interacts with other space elevator nodes. The challenge was to bring in a fresh perspective on an Earth Port by leveraging experts in many fields beyond those normally associated with space elevators. As a result of the contributions from a variety of professional backgrounds, this study should reflect a more realistic perspective of the activities at the Earth Port of a future space elevator.