Global competition to develop space elevator technology kicks off with robotic climbers and power beaming challenges

A new global space elevator competition has been launched by the World Space Elevator Competition (WSPEC), a nonprofit initiative focused on accelerating the development of critical space infrastructure technologies. The competition will debut at the International Space Development Conference (ISDC) in Orlando, Florida, on 19–22 June.

WSPEC brings together several established players in the field, including Etheria Space, the Japan Space Elevator Association, the WARR Space Elevator Challenge of Germany, and the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC). It aims to consolidate and scale existing regional events into a coordinated international series of competitions.

Focus on robotics and power beaming

The inaugural event will feature live demonstrations of award-winning robotic climbers, including one that set a record by ascending a 1,200-meter tether at speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour.

Open to university students and space technology enthusiasts, WSPEC’s first competition cycle will focus on robotic climbers and power beaming—two technologies that are widely considered essential for any future space elevator.

According to the organizers, these early competitions will concentrate on technologies with potential near-term applications, while also laying foundational work for a long-term space infrastructure project.

Global collaboration and annual events

Competitions are planned to take place annually, with prizes awarded to top-performing teams. WSPEC says the goal is not only to foster technical progress but to build a global community of researchers, engineers, and developers committed to advancing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) disciplines.

“WSPEC is designed to foster innovation and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, regardless if an elevator to space is ever actually constructed,” says Mordy Friedman, executive director of WSPEC and founder of Etheria Space.