Architect Jordan William Hughes was awarded the space architecture and innovation prize for his groundbreaking design, Ascensio. The concept involves connecting an ocean-based ship to an orbit structure through a cable-like system. Hughes envisions the ship moving around the ocean to match the orbiting spaceport’s trajectory.

Reported by the BBC, Hughes believes this innovative space elevator design could transform space travel, making it more feasible and efficient. While acknowledging that such a project might not materialize in the next decade, he is confident that a space elevator will eventually be built, marking a revolutionary advancement in space exploration.

This visionary concept aligns with historical notions of space elevators, initially proposed by Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in 1895 and later expanded by Russian engineer Yuri Artsutanov. Although still considered somewhat fanciful today, Hughes emphasizes that space elevators represent a crucial and efficient future for space travel and exploration.