Michael Laine

President LiftPort Group

  • Port Orchard (Near Seattle) WA

Think Big! There is a profound difference between 'difficult', 'very hard' and 'impossible'. We're building an Elevator to Space. Really.

Contact

Social

Biography

Michael Laine has been involved with Space Elevator research since the definitive 2001-3 NASA study. At LiftPort he manages a talented team from academia, government, commercial and military communities. Laine’s team has created carbon nanotubes, discovered a new metal alloy, and built robots that climbed a mile into the sky. Laine’s business management, coupled with his media, marketing and outreach skills have transformed this project from an obscure NASA paper study to a real world program – with tangible results.

LiftPort Group, is experiencing a renaissance. It recently shifted gears to focus on a Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure. Laine’s mandate to his team has three elements:
1) Sputnik-like simplicity
2) Purchase Order Technology
3) Single Launch Solution.

Echoing President Kennedy’s commitment, Laine and LiftPort believe we can create an Elevator on the Moon “…before this decade is out.”

Industry Expertise

Education/Learning
VC and Private Equity
Aerospace

Areas of Expertise

Space
Advanced Technology
Leadership
Operational Management
Nanotechnology

Accomplishments

Awards

1996-01-01

Scholarship to Leadership Kitsap; Presented with award by Chief of Police and Mayor of Bremerton; Featured in Newsweek: Space Elevator is the #4 “Invention that will change the next century”; Passed the test, but declined membership in Mensa; Seattle Robotics Society awarded “Most Innovative”; Seattle Business Monthly: “Top 25 Innovative Companies”; International Space University Scholarships; “Shorty Award” finalist for Science.

While serving in the United States Marine Corps

1986-07-28

“Top 1%” of all Marines for physical fitness, and rifleman; Meritoriously promoted. Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Unit Citation (x2), Good Conduct, Navy Achievement Medal, Honorable discharge, recognized by Commandant of Marines.

Magazine + Newspaper Interviews

2003-03-01

Fortune, Inc., Newsweek, Aviation Week, Wired, Seattle Magazine, Economist, Popular Science, New Scientist, Air and Space, Aviation, Cosmos, La Fletcha, Reforma, Focus, DD Magazine, Rue89, Flight International, Dnevnik.

London Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Globe and Mail, London Guardian, Seattle Post Intelligencer/Times, Toronto Star, Punjab News, Mail and Guardian, Taipei Times, Investor's Business Daily, Washington Times, Boston Business Journal, USA Today

Show All +

Education

United States Marine Corps

'School of Hard Knocks'

International Space University

Space Studies Program - Barcelona Spain

Boston University

Business Administration, Marketing, Organizational Bahavior

Show All +

Affiliations

  • Space Literacy Foundation - Board Member
  • Leeward Space Foundation - Board Member
  • International Space University US Alumni Association - President
  • LiftPort Group - President
  • International Space Elevator Consortium - Adviser
Show All +

Testimonials

placeholder

http://www.liftport.com

placeholder

This is a 'placeholder' testimonial. I've never really felt the need to collect these before. But I've sent out a few requests, and I'm certain I'll get some good reviews.

placeholder

http://www.liftport.com

placeholder

This is a 'placeholder' testimonial. I've never really felt the need to collect these before. But I've sent out a few requests, and I'm certain I'll get some good reviews.

Event Appearances

Industry Research Keynote, Invited Guest Lecturer

Foresight Nanotech Institute, International Space Elevator Conference, Aerospace Electronic Systems Society (IEEE)  California, New Mexico, Washington

Science Fiction Keynote, Panelist, Book Signings & Readings

DragonCon, NorWesCon, WesterCon, RustyCon, BaltiCon, Icon, Science Fiction Museum  Georgia, Washington, Maryland, New York

Academic Events and Invited Guest Lecturer

Princeton & Rutgers & North Carolina State & Puget Sound Universities; Harvard Business School; Georgia, New Jersey & Massachusetts Institutes of Technology; University of Washington  New Jersey, Massachusetts, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington

Show All +

Sample Talks

Space Elevator 101

This is a visionary talk. How and why we are building the “biggest thing, ever!” We discuss the history of the project, and use multimedia to describe construction and usage of the system. I use about 30% of my allotted time to show ‘canned’ material – this puts everyone on the same page. Then it is a ‘free-for-all’ of Q&A for the remaining period. I use extensive video, animation, imagery and playful storytelling to make this project relevant.

Style

Availability

  • Keynote
  • Moderator
  • Panelist
  • Workshop Leader
  • Author Appearance
  • Corporate Training

Fees

$500 to $5000*Will consider certain engagements for no fee