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Space Forum

Thursday, October 17, 2024
9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EDT

Scaling New Heights: Delivering Power to Space Elevator Climbers

With

LARRY BARTOSZEK
Vice President, International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC)
Owner, Bartoszek Engineering
NSS Space Ambassador

Join the National Space Society for an exciting Space Forum where we’ll explore one of the most revolutionary concepts in space travel: the space elevator.

While rockets must carry all of their fuel to break free from Earth’s gravity, climbers on the space elevator’s tether have a distinct advantage—they don’t need to carry their own power source. This breakthrough enables climbers to bypass the limitations of the rocket equation, which forces rockets to burn extra fuel just to lift their fuel. Unlike rockets, which deliver only a small percentage of their mass as payload, space elevator climbers can transport at least 50% of their total mass as payload—reaching altitudes of up to 100,000 kilometers.

A big question: How do we deliver the power that climbers need?

This engaging forum with ISEC VP Larry Bartoszek will delve into both old and new approaches to powering climbers, examining challenges and seeking innovative solutions. We’ll explore caveats, identify areas where more research is needed, and welcome your ideas to help bring the space elevator closer to reality.

Don’t miss this chance to learn or to lend your expertise and be part of the future of space travel! Register for the space forum using the button below.

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Larry Bartoszek holds dual degrees in mechanical engineering and physics from the University of Illinois and is a licensed professional engineer in Illinois. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Welding Society, ASM International, the Chicago Society for Space Studies, and the National Space Society. He currently serves as Vice President of the International Space Elevator Consortium and is also an NSS Space Ambassador.

Larry is the owner of Bartoszek Engineering, a consulting firm specializing in mechanical design for the nuclear and high-energy physics research communities worldwide. His firm has worked with national laboratories, universities, and governments on projects across the globe, ranging from tabletop devices to large machines weighing up to 120 tons. You can find more details about his projects on his website at bartoszekeng.com or view a chronological history of his work there.

Larry began working on the space elevator as a hobby in 2004, focusing on conceptual designs for climbers, as outlined in The Space Elevator by Edwards and Westling. He has presented his work at multiple space elevator conferences, including in Washington, D.C. (2004), Seattle (2013), and the ISEC Annual Conferences in Chicago (2023 and 2024). His original climber designs have been featured in two ISEC annual study reports. In April 2021, Larry became a Director on the ISEC Board and was elected Vice President of ISEC in July 2024.

Register today to reserve your seat and ask your questions.