2009 Challenge, on November 6, 2009, LaserMotive successfully used lasers to drive a device up a cable suspended from a helicopter. Energy is transmitted to the climber using a high-power infrared beam. LaserMotive's entry, which was the only climber to top the cable, reached an average speed of and earned a $900,000 prize. This marked both a performance record, and the first award of a cash prize at the Challenge. LaserMotive won the prize for the Level 1 power beaming prize in 2009 with the achievement of climber speed over a sub-kilometer climb. The Level 2 power beaming prize, for a climb, remains available for future competitions. Future competitions After LaserMotive claimed the prize for the Level 1 power beaming prize in 2009, the Space Elevator games being conducted by Elevator:2010 planned to offer a prize purse for future competitions of , for both the Power Beaming (Climber) Competition and the Tether Strength Competition. The Japan Space Elevator Association conducted climbing competitions in August 2013. See also KC Space Pirates Launch loop Lightcraft Lunar space elevator Non-rocket spacelaunch Skyhook (structure) Space elevator construction Space elevator economics Space elevators in fiction Space elevator safety Space fountain Space gun Tether propulsion References External links The Spaceward Foundation Space elevator Challenge awards Awards established in 2005