863-Space Elevator

863-Space Elevator

Author: Albert D. Grauer August 22, 2025 Duration: 2:01
In a recent study Dr. Lynnane George and her co-authors investigate Space Elevator technology to remove materials from Ceres and deliver them to orbital depots around the solar system.  The tiny gravity of Ceres, nano-fiber technology, and different water propulsion systems are utilized by Dr. George and her team to construct theoretically possible systems which would extract raw materials from Ceres and deliver them to low Earth orbit and other locations within the solar system.  These researchers estimate such a transport system could reduce fuel costs by up to 60% compared to transport from the Earth’s surface. 

Each episode of Travelers In The Night feels like a quiet, personal conversation under a dark sky. Hosted by astronomer Dr. Albert D. Grauer, this podcast brings the distant cosmos into sharp, intimate focus. Dr. Grauer isn't just an observer; he's an active participant in the hunt, working with the Catalina Sky Survey team that has consistently discovered near-Earth asteroids for years. In these brief and engaging segments, you'll hear firsthand accounts of what it's like to track these ancient celestial travelers-the asteroids and comets that silently pass by our world. The discussions move beyond simple facts to explore the real-world implications of these discoveries, from planetary defense to the sheer wonder of our dynamic solar system. Accompanied by the contemplative music of John Lyell's "Eternity," each installment offers a moment of calm reflection on humanity's place in the universe. It’s a perfect blend of grounded science and cosmic curiosity, making complex astronomical concepts accessible and deeply fascinating. For anyone who has ever looked up and wondered what's out there moving in the dark, this podcast provides a direct line to the front lines of discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Travelers In The Night
Podcast Episodes
82E-94-You Are Close To Outer Space [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
How often do you traveled 5, 10, or more miles on a shopping trip? If instead of traveling on the Earth's surface you were to travel 6 miles straight up, to the realm of the jet airliner, you would likely need oxygen to…
81E-93-Name That Asteroid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
It has been traditional for an asteroid to be named by its discoverer. The 1990s were the golden age for private individuals as computerized telescopes and electronic cameras became affordable and readily available. The…
592-Invasion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Due to thoughtless outdoor night lighting on the surface and satellites in space the natural night sky is becoming a vanishing treasure. From climate change to saving our natural night sky we must join together to preven…
80E-92-An Earth Approaching Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
My Catalina Sky Survey teammate Richard Kowalski has discovered an Earth approaching comet that comes within 18 million miles of our home planet. It orbits the Sun every 5 and a half years on a path that takes it from a…
591-Teddy's First Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
One of the perks of being an asteroid hunter is to discover a comet and have it carry your name. Teddy's first comet discovery is a member of a group of approximately 200 such small comets which circle the Sun with orbit…
79E-91-Faster Than A Speeding Bullet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Its not Superman, its a meteoroid. Yes, a volleyball sized stoney meteoroid, which is typically traveling 15 to 60 times faster than a high powered rifle bu…
590-Noctilucent Clouds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
See Climate Change! Noctilucent Clouds exist at more than 50 miles above the Earth's surface or about 4 times higher than the tops of the most intense tropical thunder storms. Climate change has caused these once very ra…
78E-90-Shine Little Asteroid Shine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Recently I was observing with the NASA funded Catalina Sky Survey 60 inch on Mt. Lemmon, Arizona when I discovered a 200 foot diameter asteroid, 2014 SC324. It is in an orbit around the Sun which takes it from inside our…
589-Defending Earth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The International Asteroid Warning Network, or IWAN (Eye-Whan) for short has been established to link scientists who are discovering, monitoring, and physically characterizing potentially dangerous asteroids. In the futu…