Success in space elevator competition...

[Dizzo]

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A robot powered by a ground-based laser beam climbed a long cable dangling from a helicopter on Wednesday to qualify for prize money in a $2 million competition to test the potential reality of the science fiction concept of space elevators.

source:Yahoo News

[ken]

how on earth would that work? The Space Station circles the planet approximately 16 times per day, traveling at 17,500 mph in an orbit varying 208 to 285 miles from Earth. How could the robot climb that?

[computer2slow]

A helicopter can go to maybe 30,000 ft and that is in dispute. Space starts at 316,800. How is it called succsess.

Wouldn't friction just burn what ever they use apart? At least what is in the atmosphere.

[Dizzo]

They are probably talking lower atmosphere...because no cable could survive outer atmospheric conditions, unless transparent aluminum is developed.

You never know when you will need see through metal.