An Elevator to Space: I have always been aware of this as a pie-in-the-sky notion, something Arthur C. Clarke wrote about decades ago. The New York Times reports on a recent conference of enthusiasts, engineers and space scientists working on the concept; the current plan involves a carbon fiber nanotubule ribbon strung between an earth station and a geosynchronous satellite, with elevator platforms hoisting themselves up the thread powered by lasers on the ground below shining on their solar panels. Conferees say it might be feasible within twenty years and keynote speaker Clarke says he might live to see it, as he would be “only” 106 then.