The Japanese Want To Test A Miniature Space-Elevator

The idea of a space elevator is something quite old – over a hundred years. The details may be different but the fundamental idea is always the same. A vehicle on a cable leading from Earth to space.

By [Bruce Irving](https://www.flickr.com/photos/flyingsinger/) CC BY 2.0 via [Flickr.com[(https://www.flickr.com/photos/flyingsinger/58239815)

Yet, this idea is still more sci-fi rather than real world. But it seems that experts from the Japanese Shizuoka University are determined to start to bring this astonishing concept to life. And it seems that even want to soon make their first test. But don’t be mistaken. It will not currently be a real space elevator. Just its miniature copy. More specifically, a box 6 cm long and wide and 3 cm tall.

On the 11th September, the Japanese will send a space rock with two miniature satellites into space. One will include the device needed to power the elevator. The movement of the “elevator” will be on a cable that will be between the two satellites and will be monitored using cameras. It will probably come as no surprise that it is much easier to perform this test in space rather than making a real space elevator. Especially because we still don’t have strong enough materials.

But if we manage to one day create a space elevator it would be an incredibly cheap way to transport people and goods into space. Some experts say that the costs could go down from the current 22 000 dollars per kilogram to only 220 dollars per kilogram.

Sources:

• https://futurism.com/space-elevator-japan/