"The NIAC space elevator study by HighLift Systems was completed in January 2003. Since then the two principals behind HighLift, Edwards and Michael Laine, have moved in different directions to continue work on the concept. In March, Edwards moved to West Virginia to take a position as director of research at the Institute for Scientific Research (ISR), a research and development corporation that works closely with NASA and other federal agencies. Edwards and a number of other ISR employees are working on various aspects of the elevator concept, and seeking NASA support to continue their work."

"Laine, meanwhile, has founded a new company, Liftport, based in Washington state, to commercially develop a space elevator. The company’s business plan has evolved in recent months to become a group of affiliated companies, one attempting to develop and commercialize carbon nanotube technologies, another to provide public outreach and education services, and a third to provide venture funding for other companies developing space technology. All are tied together to commercially develop a space elevator within 15 years (the site features a countdown to its planned inauguration of its space elevator: April 12, 2018.)"

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A similar pattern of breaking up the company and renaming it has been followed by every failed private space venture since I took an interest. In this case their funding ran out when they finished the NIAC-funded study in January 2003. Cerulean Freight Forwarding company, re-named Kitty Hawk Technologies, re-named Kitty Hawk Advanced Technologies, has also bit the dust.

What really bothers me is this quote:

"There is a perception within the small community of researchers studying the space elevator that the concept is gaining momentum."

I wonder why? I never thought there was any potential for a space elevator.