UWS Space Elevator Construction Begins (Project Starlift)

[Unified Western States]

Breaking News
UWS announces construction has started on a space elevator

Artist's depiction of what the finished elevator sea-base will look like:


“Hello, I’m Barbra White with the UWSNA, bringing you the latest on this story. Today is a historic day for the UWS as construction of the Seattle Space Elevator begins. This project, known as Project Starlift, has been in development for nearly twenty years and only recently did the UWS Space Agency gain enough financial support to begin the construction. There had been much speculation that this project might never be started, in part thanks to the great difficulties with acquiring enough land in Seattle to build the Earth-base. A deal was finally brokered between the City of Seattle and the UWSSA late last year to build the base on an offshore platform rather than in the city, but construction was delayed due to a drop in funding. A few months ago, President Clark announced that he would devote $400 billion New West dollars to the project. This move was widely seen as a desperate attempt to gain back positive ratings for the Clark administration, which had been losing popularity ever since five government officials were arrested on corruption charges. Although his popularity has increased slightly, it is not seen as enough to win him the upcoming election. The space elevator base will be built on a stationary sea platform about two miles off the coast of Washington. This sea platform will be reminiscent of an oilrig, but will also function as a hotel, a seaport, a shopping center and a living area for the space elevator engineers. One of the most difficult aspects of the elevator was what to build the cable out of. It was finally decided that carbon nanotubes would do the trick. When billions of these tubes are put together, they become much stronger than steel. The first section of the cable is being built at as-of-now undisclosed location. The construction of the elevator, including sea-base, cable, elevator car and geosynchronous orbiting counter weight, is expected to take at least twenty years to finish. The elevator car is itself a massive undertaking. The car is five stories tall and can carry eight hundred people and thousands of tons of cargo. Power for the elevator will be provided by a huge solar power array that will be mounted on the counterweight. Not many more details have been announced, but the UWSSA is expected to announce more details in the coming months. Meanwhile, the UWSSA has announced that any foreign nations interested in investing or participating in the construction of the space elevator can send a telegram to the head of the UWSSA, Arnold Krhoms. For UWSNA, this is Barbra White”

[Old Tyrannia]

Empire of Old Tyrannia

The Empire is puzzled by you're government's decision to take on such an expensive and largely useless project. We would be interested to know how you intend to pay for it. No doubt, many others will share our concern. Would you not be better simply launching a space station or, better yet, simply building a skyscraper?
Signed,
Gaius Romulus IV (Emperor of Old Tyrannia)

[Unified Western States]

To: Old Tyrannia

We thank your for your comment, however our government considers a space elevator a wonderful and useful achievement. It will enable us to construct a space station much easier and much cheaper, as well as providing an easy and cheap way to get people and cargo into space. As for paying for it, our economy is more than sufficient to spend 400 billion. Plus, it is more than likely that not all of that will even be spent, so the remaining money will go back into the economy.

Sincerely,
Arnold Krhoms
Director of the UWSSA

[Arnsburg]

Whilst the government of Arnsburg fully backs the principle of a space elevator, I am writing today to ask if you fully understand the implications of this project.

Though extra-business will be brought to the Western States because of this, military or insurgent action against the completed project is highly likely.

We hasten to ask if you believe you are sufficiently able to prevent such attacks occuring?

Best Regards,

Mathias Bruller,
Arnsish Minister for International Affairs

[Unified Western States]

To: Arnsburg

We thank you for your concern over the safety of the space elevator. We currently have no actual "enemies" per say, so military action is unlikely. As for insurgent action, our government has...ways of preventing that. The construction site has the full defense of both the Homeland Defense Force and the UWS Army. In addition, aircraft have formed a protective "ring" around the site, as has our navy. In short, we are very certain that should there be any attempted attack on the elevator, we will be fully able to defend it."

Sincerely,
Arnold Krhoms
Director of the UWSSA

[The Commentary Adverts]

OOC: Tag for interest)

[Seculartopia]

To: United Western States
From: Seculartopia Directory of Science

Seculartopia would like to donate $750 million to this wonderful project, in the hopes that UWS can achieve this great scientific accomplishment.

[New Olwe]

The government of New Olwe, encouraged by the choice of solar power for the elevator car, wishes to know whether the rest of the project is being undertaken in an equally environmentally conscious manner. This is information we would need before deciding what our official stance is.

Freyalise Gunnarson
Olwean Minister of Nature

[Unified Western States]

To: New Olwe

An undertaking such as a space elevator is a very difficult task. However, we are doing everything we can to limit the effect on the environment. The factories producing the parts will be powered by renewable energy and the base and pillars of the sea base are designed to act as habitat for local fish and aquatic animals. We hope this answers your questions.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

[Unified Western States]

To: Seculartopia

We are very grateful for the funds. Once the elevator is finished, we will list your nation as one of the ones who helped us financially during construction. Your leader will also be able to take a ride on the maiden voyage of the elevator. This goes for any nation who assists us in this massive undertaking.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

[Grand Koko]

Grand Koko will be sending $900 billion and some consruction workers to speed up the process.

[Unified Western States]

To: Grand Koko

We thank you greatly for your extremely generous offer. Your nation's name will be put on the list and your leader will be on the maiden voyage.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

[Constans]

Official Communiqué of the Constain Empire

Dear Arnold Krhoms,

As news flows in to my offices, along with various offices of the Constain government, about the recent construction of your space elevator, the Empire of Constans, in all her glory and wisdom, must ask why this structure is being built?

We understand you plan to build a space station in the near future, and you feel this elevator may help you in this goal, however, I must say, this seems to be a growing threat. What stops you then from putting nuclear weapons, should you posses them, in space incase of attack? What stops you from building military space stations? Nothing.

I cannot say I approve of this, both from a military and civilian stand point, you must also consider, what should happen if this elevator collapses? It could very well destroy a large portion of your civilian city, correct? I feel it is my place to request that a team of Constain investigators be allowed into your nation to inspect this elevator, to assure my empire that is of no threat to us.

Should you not allow this, I am afraid we will have to simply take severe diplomatic actions against you and your nation.

[Signed,]

Minister of Foreign Affairs Christien Garreau

[Unified Western States]

Official Communiqué of the Constain Empire

Dear Arnold Krhoms,

As news flows in to my offices, along with various offices of the Constain government, about the recent construction of your space elevator, the Empire of Constans, in all her glory and wisdom, must ask why this structure is being built?

We understand you plan to build a space station in the near future, and you feel this elevator may help you in this goal, however, I must say, this seems to be a growing threat. What stops you then from putting nuclear weapons, should you posses them, in space incase of attack? What stops you from building military space stations? Nothing.

I cannot say I approve of this, both from a military and civilian stand point, you must also consider, what should happen if this elevator collapses? It could very well destroy a large portion of your civilian city, correct? I feel it is my place to request that a team of Constain investigators be allowed into your nation to inspect this elevator, to assure my empire that is of no threat to us.

Should you not allow this, I am afraid we will have to simply take severe diplomatic actions against you and your nation.

[Signed,]

Minister of Foreign Affairs Christien Garreau

To: Christien Garreau

I assure you, we have no plans of weaponizing space. The space station will simply be a jump point for possible moon colonization. We will have a small contingent of UWS army troops on the station and in the elevator to help defend it, but beyond that, it is for pure economical and scientific reasons. As for your inspectors, we will have to do background checks and they will not be allowed to have any weapons, but they may inspect the elevator. You must know, we have barely started the underwater pylons of the sea-base. The construction of the actual elevator is years away.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of the UWSSA

[New Olwe]

To: New Olwe

An undertaking such as a space elevator is a very difficult task. However, we are doing everything we can to limit the effect on the environment. The factories producing the parts will be powered by renewable energy and the base and pillars of the sea base are designed to act as habitat for local fish and aquatic animals. We hope this answers your questions.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

Thank you, that was very informative and did indeed answer our questions. New Olwe will be sending $300 billion to help with the funding, and we also offer the services of our native construction workers who have large amounts of experience in environmentally safe construction techniques and can help coordinate the more difficult aspects of the construction (designing the base as an underwater wildlife habitat sounds like a challenge, but we have construction workers who have done that sort of work before and can probably help you get it done faster).

Milos Ganush
Olwean Minister of Foreign Affairs
Prince of the Gypsies

[Seculartopia]

To: Seculartopia

We are very grateful for the funds. Once the elevator is finished, we will list your nation as one of the ones who helped us financially during construction. Your leader will also be able to take a ride on the maiden voyage of the elevator. This goes for any nation who assists us in this massive undertaking.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

Our Leader would be glad to attend the maiden voyage. We simply have one request: That a small portions of the funds go to constructing Carbon Dioxide sensors at appropriate spots to measure Global Warming's effects on our atmosphere.

If you cannot meet these requests,it is of no concern,this is simply just a request. We heavily endorse your project and wonder if you are in need of designers/workers/architects/scientists?

[Unified Western States]

To: New Olwe

An undertaking such as a space elevator is a very difficult task. However, we are doing everything we can to limit the effect on the environment. The factories producing the parts will be powered by renewable energy and the base and pillars of the sea base are designed to act as habitat for local fish and aquatic animals. We hope this answers your questions.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

Thank you, that was very informative and did indeed answer our questions. New Olwe will be sending $300 billion to help with the funding, and we also offer the services of our native construction workers who have large amounts of experience in environmentally safe construction techniques and can help coordinate the more difficult aspects of the construction (designing the base as an underwater wildlife habitat sounds like a challenge, but we have construction workers who have done that sort of work before and can probably help you get it done faster).

Milos Ganush
Olwean Minister of Foreign Affairs
Prince of the Gypsies

To: Milos Ganush

We are extremely thankful for you monetary support. Your nation will be listed and your leader is formally invited to the maiden voyage when it occurs. As for your construction workers, we would welcome them with open arms. Thank your for your support.

Sincerely
Ardnol Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

[Unified Western States]

To: Seculartopia

We are very grateful for the funds. Once the elevator is finished, we will list your nation as one of the ones who helped us financially during construction. Your leader will also be able to take a ride on the maiden voyage of the elevator. This goes for any nation who assists us in this massive undertaking.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

Our Leader would be glad to attend the maiden voyage. We simply have one request: That a small portions of the funds go to constructing Carbon Dioxide sensors at appropriate spots to measure Global Warming's effects on our atmosphere.

If you cannot meet these requests,it is of no concern,this is simply just a request. We heavily endorse your project and wonder if you are in need of designers/workers/architects/scientists?

To: Seculartopia

We are more than happy to accommodate your request. We will have the carbon dioxide sensors installed once we begin construction of the actual cable. As for your offer of personnel, we are more than happy for any assistance you can provide. The more people we have, the quicker this project can be completed.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

[Unified Western States]

bump

[The ruivan Empire]

The Ruivan Empire Fully supports and Praises the UWS's bold plan for an orbital Elavator! should the UWS need it the Ruivan Empire will be more than happy to donate funds to your great project.

[Unified Western States]

To: The Ruvian Empire

We are willing to take any amount of money or support you want to offer. Any nation who provides monetary or engineering assistance will get their name on a list of contributors. Also, your nation's ruler will get to partake on the maiden voyage of the elevator.

Sincerely
Arnold Krhoms
Director of UWSSA

[The ruivan Empire]

To: The UWS

Well then that is a Great surprise! the ruivan empire will gladly donate 1.5 trillion Ruivs to your financial effort as we understand that this will be no easy undertaking and we have 25,000 volunteers who would like to help the construction of this Elavator.

[Allemande]

OOC: Doesn't a space elevator have to be built on the equator?

In its eventual PMT incarnation, Allemande will have constructed such an artifact; but we have an equatorial site already under lease from a neighbouring government for that purpose. How are you planning on building one near Seattle?

[Unified Western States]

OOC: The satellite at the end of the cable can adjust and maneuver using thrusters to keep the cable in orbit. This eliminates the need for the equatorial function. It can also ensure that the cable remains taught. The whole point of the equatorial thing is to ensure that there is enough centrifugal force to keep the wire taught.

[Seculartopia]

To: United Western States

Excellent!

We shall send 5,000 workers, 10 Scientists, 10 Architects,10 Designers and 1,000 tons of Concrete,Steel,Silicon and Plastics as needed.