Exploring the unusual idea of a ‘Space Elevator‘ for cosmic journeys. A futuristic way of space travel that ditches traditional rockets in favor of a massive cable system stretching from Earth into space.
30-year-old architect Jordan William Hughes and this year’s winner of the Jacques Rougerie Foundation’s €10,000 award for space-based architecture, is the mind behind this audacious concept known as a ‘space elevator.’
Hughes envisions a groundbreaking transportation system where cables connect our planet to an orbiting satellite, rendering conventional rockets obsolete.
Though his current designs may seem far-fetched, Hughes is optimistic that space elevators will become a common and luxurious means of travel in the future.
So, what exactly is a space elevator? Initially introduced in the realm of science fiction by Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in 1895, the concept has been featured in popular franchises like Star Tre.
It is a colossal lift consisting of an incredibly long cable tethered to a counterweight in outer space. The goal? To shuttle humans and cargo beyond Earth’s atmosphere with unprecedented ease.
Images credit Jordan William Hughes
