It's the stuff of science fiction and other flights of fancy: a literal link to space that will allow transport of cargo along its path. At the Space Elevator Games currently being held in New Mexico, however, the impossible is slowly making way to turn this idea into reality. At the very least, it's certainly trying.

16 teams have descended upon Las Cruces, New Mexico, to compete for US$ 400,000 worth of prizes as they attempt to make their own space elevator prototypes. The machines these teams have built must be able to climb a specially-designed tether 200 feet into the air without stalling or falling off of it. While some of the teams are working on making climbers for the tether, others are instead working on making the strongest tether possible, which is one of the other categories in the Space Elevator Games.

If you've never heard of a space elevator, then picture this: imagine unspooling a length of ribbon from the equator to an object in space, held in place by centrifugal force. Now, imagine machines designed specifically to travel along the path of the tether, carrying with it cargo and tools needed by future astronauts. The technology, while seemingly insane to pull off, could cut costs in trying to make rocket propulsion for supply trips to places like the International Space Station. That is, of course, if it succeeds.

If your curiosity is piqued, then watch the video below which shows off the German-made Turbo Crawler scaling the said tether. You can also visit the official Space Elevator blog to get real time information on the event as it begins its second day today. Enjoy!