Space elevators could become a reality

Plus: FIFA World Cup's high-tech ball that invalidated Ronaldo's 'record-breaking' goal. Dec 05, 2022 [Blueprint]( You can now [get an elevator to space]( nearly. That is to say that plans are afoot for just such a development, and scientists really think it could happen. In fact, physics professor Stephen Cohen has said he believes the sci-fi-like technology could be a reality within “the next two or three decades.” As an aside, you’d probably want to take a snack for an elevator journey into space… although presumably, you’d have to hold onto it pretty tightly, lest it float away. Food for thought. But before you get your teeth into that rocket alternative, take a look at a rocket of an altogether different nature. [This video]( shows a backyard scientist’s "rocket knife" hitting a target at an astounding 400mph. Good morning. I’m Alice, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s dive in. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers had scientists’ insights from the developers of bioengineered plants, and how they can clean the air in your house. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Backyard scientist’s rocket-knife hits the target at 400mph.]( [Backyard scientist’s rocket-knife hits the target at 400mph.]( This guy’s at the sharp end of developments. [Must Read]MUST READ [Sci-fi-like space elevators could become a reality in the “next two or three decades.”]( [Sci-fi-like space elevators could become a reality.]( “Which floor please?” takes on a whole new meaning when you [could be heading all the way into space]( on this particular elevator ride. It sounds crazy, but stick with me here, because it is actually a thing. …Or could be. In fact, physics professor Stephen Cohen, from Vanier College in Montreal, said he believes the sci-fi-like technology could be a reality within “the next two or three decades.” He describes it as “a cable stretching from Earth to space, along which people and cargo can easily travel.” And it goes without saying that these massive structures could totally revolutionize the way we access space. This is important because space elevators have the potential to massively reduce the cost and energy required to go to space. They could dramatically slash the costs of sending small satellites and scientific payloads to space… as well as people, of course. → The space elevator concept is essentially a 62,130-mile-long (100,000-km) cable that extends up into the sky from the Earth's equator and is attached to a satellite in a geosynchronous orbit — meaning it orbits at the same speed as the Earth and, therefore, flies over a fixed location. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [CULTURE]CULTURE [FIFA World Cup's high-tech ball that invalidated Ronaldo's 'record-breaking' goal]( [FIFA has explained]( why Portugal's opening goal against Uruguay was not awarded to five-time Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo. And it’s all down to some very clever tech. Ronaldo claimed his head brushed the ball during the opening goal against the opponents in Monday's encounter of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but officials disagreed. Using the Connected Ball Technology in Adidas's Al Rihla Official Match Ball, officials were able to definitively show that there was no contact on the ball. A FIFA statement said: “No external force on the ball could be measured as shown by the lack of 'heartbeat' in the measurements. The 500Hz IMU sensor inside the ball allows for a high level of accuracy in the analysis”. Cool, eh? [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [Decarbonizing the steel industry: Can it be done?]( The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions emerged as the top priority for all nations involved in COP27. And it’s not exactly news that the steel industry is a significant contributor to CO2 emissions, accounting for seven percent of the total CO2 emissions in the world. But it’s also fairly crucial. Step forward Swedish steel makers SSAB, which has come up with a [technology that produces fossil-free steel](. In fact, with SSAB’s fossil-free steel production technology, the by-product (which is normally CO2) is …water! This is because SSAB’s HYBRIT technology replaces the process of coking coal with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [The ancestor of T-rex: Newly-discovered species may solve a longstanding mystery.]( Scientists think they may have [found the missing link]( in the Tyrannosaurus rex’s lineage – Daspletosaurus wilsoni. The development comes after Daspletosaurus wilsoni’s fossilized remains were recently found at the Judith River Formation near Glasgow in Montana. Daspletosaurus wilsoni belonged to Tyrannosauridae, a family of predatory dinosaurs that includes the T-Rex. Tyrannosaurids have been known from North America and Asia for over 100 years, but their evolutionary history is patchy at best. In fact, there have long been debates surrounding the Daspletosaurus and, more specifically, if they were actually ancestors of the T-Rex. But the lack of good specimens hindered the reconstruction of the evolutionary relationships of Daspletosaurus, and researchers couldn't really agree. Until now. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS Sci-fi-like space elevators could become a reality. Would you be happy to take a ride in a space elevator? [Yes, sign me up]( [Once it’s safe, sure]( [No way Jose]( [I am unsure either way]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS On Saturday, we asked you if you think solar electric cars are the future of electric vehicles, and 56 percent of you said absolutely, it would be great to have cars fully powered by sunlight. 56% Yes, it would be great to have cars eventually fully powered by sunlight 16% I’m not sure, but it could be the future of EV cars 14% No, it’s a long way off, and electric cars are innovative enough 14% Maybe, we’ll have to wait and see [7 cut-price Christmas tree deals this holiday season]( [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Kunphy Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner]( [image]( [Beyn Bone Conduction Headphones]( [image]( [7.5ft Pre-Lit Holiday Christmas Tree]( [image]( [Visioneer 5800 Flatbed Scanner]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - [Dawn of the Space Age]( Past, present, and future of propulsion technology. [premium] - Homo naledi may have lit fires in underground caves [at least 236,000 years ago](. (Science News) - Redesigned combustion engine [could boost performance](. [premium] - The [exotic quantum effects]( found hiding inside ultra-thin materials. (New Scientist) - These [next-generation engineered bacteria]( can detect water contaminants in real-time. [premium] - Follow Father Christmas around the globe this Christmas Eve with [NORAD’s Santa Tracker](. (BBC) - Researchers have discovered a way to produce [cocaine from a tobacco plant](. [Subscribe to IE+ today.]( Prepared by Alice Cooke Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? [Join Free!]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. 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