Where bold minds tackle impossible problems and redefine what’s possible.
Competitions That Power the Climb to Space
Where bold minds tackle impossible problems and redefine what’s possible.
Competitions That Power the Climb to Space
Where bold minds tackle impossible problems and redefine what’s possible.
The WSPEC Competitions are at the heart of our mission to advance the technologies needed for a future space elevator. Each challenge is designed to target a critical area of development, from the power systems without physical connections, to how transporting materials along a vertical road to space.
Our competitions are open to student teams, research groups, and enthusiasts around the world. They are built to inspire innovation, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and push teams to solve complex, real-world engineering problems. Whether you’re refining robotic systems or experimenting with energy transmission, these competitions are a hands-on opportunity to help shape the future of space access.
Competition Challenges
Climber
Participants design and prototype space elevators, tethered structures that could carry cargo into space without rockets. The goal is to create a faster, safer, and more sustainable way to reach orbit, with teams exploring lift speed, payload capacity, and energy use.
Participants design and prototype space elevators, tethered structures that could carry cargo into space without rockets. The goal is to create a faster, safer, and more sustainable way to reach orbit, with teams exploring lift speed, payload capacity, and energy use.
Participants design and build climbers, which are robotic systems that travel along a vertical tether - like an elevator into space - focusing on speed, how much weight they can carry, and how efficiently they use energy.
Participants design and build climbers, which are robotic systems that travel along a vertical tether—like an elevator into space—focusing on speed, how much weight they can carry, and how efficiently they use energy.
Climber
Participants design and build climbers, which are robotic systems that travel along a vertical tether - like an elevator into space - focusing on speed, how much weight they can carry, and how efficiently they use energy.
Participants design and build climbers, which are robotic systems that travel along a vertical tether—like an elevator into space—focusing on speed, how much weight they can carry, and how efficiently they use energy.
Climber
Participants design and build climbers, which are robotic systems that travel along a vertical tether - like an elevator into space - focusing on speed, how much weight they can carry, and how efficiently they use energy.
Participants design and build climbers, which are robotic systems that travel along a vertical tether—like an elevator into space—focusing on speed, how much weight they can carry, and how efficiently they use energy.
Climber
Participants design and build climbers, which are robotic systems that travel along a vertical tether - like an elevator into space - focusing on speed, how much weight they can carry, and how efficiently they use energy.
Participants design and build climbers, which are robotic systems that travel along a vertical tether—like an elevator into space—focusing on speed, how much weight they can carry, and how efficiently they use energy.
Power Beam
Participants develop systems to wirelessly transmit energy. The focus is on efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of energy transfer, with teams exploring beam control, receiver design, and power-to-weight optimization. Simulating how space elevators could be powered without the need for onboard fuel.
Power Beam
Participants develop systems to wirelessly transmit energy. The focus is on efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of energy transfer, with teams exploring beam control, receiver design, and power-to-weight optimization. Simulating how space elevators could be powered without the need for onboard fuel.
