NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

This is a challenge in materials engineering in which the tether provided by each team is subjected to a pull test. In order to win the $2 million prize, the tether must exceed the strength of the best available commercial tether by 50 percent with no increase in mass. A tether that can win this challenge would be a major step forward in materials technology. Such improved materials would have wide range of applications in space and on Earth. In past years the Tether Challenge was held in conjunction with the Power Beaming Challenge at an event called the Space Elevator Games. In 2009 the events will be separate. Some space enthusiasts see the potential of wireless power transmission and high-strength tethers being combined to realize the space elevator, a concept that would bring about a revolution in space activity. The space elevator and even space solar power may be many years away, but dramatic improvements in power beaming and tether materials that result from these challenges can lead to many near-term innovations in a wide range of fields.

2009 Tether Challenge – Results

The 2009 Tether Challenge was held during the Space Elevator Conference in Seattle, Washington on August 14. This is a very demanding challenge requiring a significant advance in materials technology. Although there were expressions of interest from several potential competitors, only one team, led by Yoku Inoue, came to the event and only in an exhibition capacity. The team brought a 2.2-meter length loop of carbon nanotube material. The loop failed at a level well below its expected strength but the fabrication of the carbon nanotube loop itself was a significant accomplishment and its presence at this competition is cause for optimism regarding the possibility of very strong and lightweight tethers in the not-too-distant future. The 2010 Tether Challenge will be conducted at approximately the same time next year.
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